Healthy nails indicate good health and satisfactory health. They have a peach or soft pink color, even and smooth. There is a nail fold at the posterior edge white. If it happens sudden change nail color, this may be a sign of disease both in the nails themselves and in the entire body as a whole. They can change their color only on the hands or only on the feet, and as a result of some diseases, the color of the nails on both the hands and feet changes.
Reasons for color change
A change in nail color is called dyschromia. Nails may change color as a result various diseases. In this case, both the shape and relief of the nail, as well as its color throughout the nail plate or in its individual areas, may suffer.
The reasons for this may be:
- fungal infections of the nails, most often the toenails are affected, but the hands can also be affected;
- atopic dermatitis, allergic lesions;
- manifestations of diabetes;
- manifestations of jaundice;
- nail injuries with the formation of hematomas;
- dermatosis, psoriasis;
- bacterial infections;
- taking certain medications;
- chronic lung or heart diseases with tissue hypoxia;
- kidney disease;
- smoking.
Nail diseases
Changes in the appearance of fingernails or toenails can reveal a lot about a person's health. Nail diseases can be caused by a fungal infection or more dangerous reasons. The nail is easily damaged, then it darkens and sometimes comes off. However, if your nails have changed color, texture, shape or thickness for an unknown reason, you should consult a doctor. Here are the most likely reasons.
Nails are peeling
Nails often peel in older people as a result of aging. In addition, brittle nails are often simply due to prolonged exposure to water or chemical substances, such as cleaning products and nail polishes. If your nails are peeling, you can strengthen them by taking biotin (vitamin B7) supplements and using hand and nail cream. To protect your hands, wear gloves when performing any work involving water or corrosive substances.
Sometimes fragility or brittleness of nails can be caused by the following reasons:
- nail fungus, which is treated with antifungal drugs in tablets (this is especially often the cause of brittle toenails);
- lichen planus is a skin disease that sometimes affects only the nails;
- Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism is a dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that extends to the nails.
Occasionally, nails may peel in patients with reactive arthritis. This is inflammation of the joints associated with an abnormal reaction immune system on its own tissues: it begins to destroy joints and muscles after an infectious disease.
Changing nail color
Nails yellow color Usually they talk about a fungal infection or psoriasis. Also, yellowing of nails can have the following reasons:
- frequent use of nail polish;
- lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes swelling of the skin;
- bronchiectasis is a chronic irreversible lung disease;
- sinusitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses);
- thyroiditis - inflammation of the thyroid gland;
- tuberculosis - dangerous infection lungs and other body organs;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin) due to liver disease;
- certain drugs such as mepacrine or carotene;
- chronic paronychia - purulent inflammation periungual fold.
Black and green nail color- green nail syndrome or onychia pseudomonas. This is a bacterial nail disease caused by the proliferation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the thickness of the nail and under it. The highest probability of bacterial infection is in flaky, loose nails that peel off easily. The infection can be treated by applying antibiotic eye drops under the nails or soaking the affected nails in an antiseptic solution or vinegar.
Gray nail color may be caused by medications such as antimalarials or minocycline.
Brown nails occur with thyroid diseases, pregnancy, exhaustion, and also occur in people who often use nail polish.
Red or yellow dot under the nail may be a sign of psoriasis. Sometimes it seems as if there is a drop of oil or a speck of redness under the nail. Pink colour.
Half white, half brown nails (at tips) occur in renal failure, when the kidneys stop working normally. The reason for this change in nail color is not entirely clear, but one theory is that kidney failure causes the change. chemical composition blood, stimulating the release of melanin (skin pigment) into the nail bed. It is also possible that kidney failure causes an increase in the number of small blood vessels under the nails that show through the nail plate. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with kidney failure have “two-tone” nails. This coloring of nails may be associated with AIDS or a course of chemotherapy.
White nails. If most of the nail is white, but the nail sits tightly in the nail bed, the most likely cause is either a fungal infection or a reduction in blood flow to the nail bed, the so-called. "Terry's nails" Typically, Terry's nails are white with reddish or dark tips, which can indicate a variety of medical conditions, including the following:
- Cirrhosis of the liver - approximately 80% with cirrhosis of the liver have Terry's nails;
- liver, kidney or heart failure;
- diabetes;
- iron deficiency anemia - a decrease in the number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body;
- chemotherapy;
- overactive thyroid gland - when thyroid produces too many hormones;
- malnutrition.
Stripes on nails
Appearance white spots or streaks on the nails normal and not a cause for concern, but parallel white lines across the entire nail (Murcke's lines) indicate low protein levels in the blood. This may be caused by liver disease or malnutrition.
Dark stripes along the nails in people with dark skin- Not unusual. They affect more than 77% of black people over 20 and are harmless in most cases. However, they should not be ignored, especially for Europeans: sometimes dark stripes indicate a type of skin cancer that occurs in the nail bed - subungual melanoma. Therefore, you should consult a doctor to rule out this possibility. Typically, subungual melanoma affects only one nail. Additionally, the stripe may then change (eg, widen or darken over time) and pigmentation may spread to the skin around it (the nail fold). Read more about melanoma and its diagnosis.
Red or brown lines under the nails, as a rule, represent traces of blood due to damage to the tiny vessels under nail plate. A few lines under one nail are normal; most likely, they were formed as a result of injury. However, if many nails are affected, this may indicate lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, infection heart valves (endocarditis) or others.
Nail deformity
A common cause of thick nails is a fungal infection, which can also cause them to change color and become brittle. Other possible reasons thickening or overgrowth of nails:
- psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes red, scaly plaques to appear on the skin;
- prolonged pressure on the feet from uncomfortable shoes;
- reactive arthritis, in which the immune system attacks joints, muscles and other parts of the body after an infection.
Onychogryphosis
Very thick nails, resembling claws or pebbles. Sometimes the nails thumbs The legs grow and thicken so much that they resemble claws, and they are almost impossible to cut with ordinary tweezers. This is called onychogryphosis and often occurs in older people as a reaction to prolonged pressure on the nails. Sometimes a regular pedicure helps to cope with this, but in some cases the nails have to be removed by a doctor.
Uneven nails with spoon-shaped depressions in the middle. If your nails curl inward like spoons ( scientific name this phenomenon is koilonychia), this may indicate one of the following diseases:
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- hemochromatosis - excess iron in the body;
- Raynaud's disease is a common disease that impairs blood circulation in the fingers and toes, causing them to turn pale;
- Lupus erythematosus is a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the body's cells, tissues and organs.
Pits or depressions in the nails may indicate the following diseases:
- psoriasis - 10–50% of people with psoriasis have pitted nails;
- eczema, a chronic skin disease;
- reactive arthritis;
- alopecia areata, periodic hair loss in small areas of the head.
Wavy nails (Bo's grooves). Deep stripes or grooves running from left to right across the nail are called Bo's grooves. Such wavy nails may appear in the background:
- illness that began several months ago;
- chemotherapy;
- suffered trauma;
- very low temperatures with Raynaud's disease.
Due to illness, injury or cold, the nail may stop growing and grooves may form at its base. Usually, nails become wavy only a few months later, when the nail has grown and the grooves are higher. A fingernail takes four to six months to fully grow, and a toenail takes 6 to 12 months.
"Drumsticks" and "watch glasses"- this is a thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers, in which the tissue under the nails becomes coarser and the tips of the fingers become round. The nails grow over the rounded fingertips and take on the characteristic round glass appearance. The cause of this phenomenon is believed to be increased blood flow to the fingertips. Sometimes such nail deformation is only a hereditary feature. However, if the nails have changed shape during life, the cause may be one of the following diseases:
- chronic lung or heart disease, such as lung cancer, COPD, bronchial asthma or endocarditis;
- inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
- stomach or intestinal cancer;
- liver damage (cirrhosis);
- Polycythemia is a disease in which the blood becomes very thick.
Diagnostic methods
At the first sign of a change in shade nail plate you need to contact a dermatologist or nail specialist. Diagnosis in this case comes down to an external examination and the appointment of examinations aimed at identifying the cause that led to dyschromia. In this case, the patient may require consultations with specialists:
- Neuropathologist.
The patient must be interviewed, it is necessary to find out how long ago the patient noticed changes in the color of the nail plates, find out about the presence concomitant diseases, find out if there was a Lately nail plate injuries. In addition, a number of examinations are necessary. As a rule, the following tests are prescribed.
Cultural examination - bacterial culture on nutrient media. The technique is used to determine the type of bacterial or fungal infection and determine their sensitivity. The material for research is a piece of nail. The material is placed in a nutrient medium, and after a certain time measurements are taken and the types of microflora are determined. The analysis usually takes 7-10 days. During the study, the reaction of microflora to medicines, this allows you to choose the most effective treatment.
Microscopic examination of the material to determine the nature of the nail lesion.
Treatment methods
The basis of treatment is to eliminate the cause of nail damage. Usually new nail grows back in 12–20 months.
If it is a fungal infection, then complex treatment is carried out with local and systemic drugs. The drugs are selected based on the results of the tests. As a rule, agents that have a general antimycotic effect are used. For example, Nizoral, Orungal, Lamisil, etc.
External treatment consists of using local agents - ointments or solutions containing antifungal components. The use of Andriasyan's liquid, consisting of a mixture of glycerin, alcohol and vinegar, may also be prescribed. To soften the tissues of the affected nail, ointments containing salicylic or lactic acid are used.
In some cases, the use of surgical treatment methods is indicated. In this case, it is carried out complete removal affected nail plate. After the operation, a course of antifungal drugs is prescribed.
Treatment for subungual hematoma, which causes the nail to turn purple or black, involves a simple operation. Using a sterile instrument, the nail is punctured and the blood that has accumulated underneath it is released.
In the event that changes in the color of the nail are caused by vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to prescribe vitamin-mineral complexes to compensate for the deficiency nutrients.
If endocrine disorders are detected, the endocrinologist prescribes corrective treatment. If the examination revealed diseases internal organs, special treatment is necessary.
In the event that the cause of yellowing of the nail is smoking, the only possible treatment will be a complete cessation of the bad habit.
Prognosis and prevention
Prevention of nail color changes involves maintaining general health. It is necessary to strive to lead as much as possible healthy image life, undergo regular preventive medical examinations. When identifying diseases, carefully follow all instructions given by specialists.
It is important to properly care for your nail plates, avoid injuries, and do your manicure carefully. If possible, you should avoid trimming your manicure, as this procedure carries a high risk of infection. It is very important to use individual tools for treating nails, and when undergoing procedures in nail salons require the technician to sterilize instruments.
It is highly advisable to quit smoking, as this addiction is not only harmful to health, but can also cause unnatural nail color.
The prognosis for changing the shade of the nail plates depends on the reason that provoked this phenomenon. If the cause is eliminated, it will grow back in 8-12 months. healthy nail normal color.
U healthy people nails are smooth, shiny, light pink. They owe their color to the capillaries, which are located directly under the nail plate and are visible through it. The functioning of all organs and systems depends on how blood circulates in the body, and nails can show us if this process is not proceeding correctly for some reason. That is why good doctor During the examination, he will always ask to show his hands and may ask to completely remove the manicure from the nails, which may complicate the diagnosis.
Any deviations in the appearance of the nail plate may be evidence of serious health problems due to poor circulation, metabolism or problems at work endocrine system.
Of course, it’s not worth diagnosing yourself, focusing solely on the condition of your nails. But at the first “bells” that appear, you should consult a doctor so that he can prescribe you a more complete examination in the area that your hands “point” to.
As health status improves, changes and appearance nail Not immediately, of course, but after two or three months, when the nail plate is completely renewed.
Determining the disease by fingernails
Now let's take a look at your nails.
Nail color and disease
Yellowish nails- a sign of liver problems. If there are difficulties with the normal outflow of bile in the blood, the content of bile pigment - bilirubin - increases, which gives the skin and nails the corresponding icteric color. Smokers can also have yellow nails, but this color usually appears brighter on those fingers that hold a cigarette, and very little on the rest. Also, the nail platinum turns a little yellow natural reasons with age.
Blue or with purple tint nails - a clear sign serious cardiovascular or pulmonary failure and hypoxia ( oxygen starvation bare brain).
Black nails- a sign of thrombosis of the arteries leading to the arms.
Bright red nails signal an increased level of red blood cells - erythrocytes - in the blood.
Very pale nails talk about a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood, anemia.
White nails– a sign of liver cirrhosis or disease of the adrenal cortex.
White spots on the nail plate they talk about the stress and experiences they have endured; they can also occur if the nail has been bruised.
White thin transverse lines talk about a lack of zinc in the body.
Yellow spots on the nails signal arteriosclerosis, vascular spasms and possible violation brain functions
Nail shape and structure
Convex Like watch glass, nails are a sign of problems in the lungs and cardiovascular system.
Concave and easily pressed when pressed nails indicate a lack of minerals in the body, in particular calcium. Perhaps we are talking about a violation of the absorption of minerals in the gastrointestinal tract or pathologies of the thyroid gland.
Cross bars indicate periods when the growth of the nail plate for some reason slowed down. The culprit could be a previous infection (for example, the flu) or severe stress. Frequently appearing peppery lines on the nails indicate an existing chronic metabolic disease, for example, diabetes.
Longitudinal grooves on the nail means problems with gastrointestinal tract or pancreas. Perhaps your menu lacks the necessary minerals or for some reason they are not absorbed in sufficient quantities.
Bright red nail hole indicates capillary disease or an autoimmune disease such as rheumatism.
Complete absence of whitish nail holes at the base of the nail indicates vitamin B12 deficiency or possible problems with the thyroid gland.
Small “holes and craters” on the nail plate(as if it was poked with a needle) - a sign of disruption of the pancreas, pancreatitis.
The color and texture of the nail can reflect a number of medical conditions.
Look at your nails, you may notice slight changes in their texture or color - a little white here, a pink tint there, perhaps some waviness or bumpiness in the surface. These flaws may not be common to you, but to the experienced eye they can provide some valuable hints about your personality. general state health.
"Like the eyes, nails are the window to the soul," says Dr. Tamara Lior, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida. Lior says she once convinced one patient to have his lungs checked after noticing a bluish tint to his fingernails, a sign that he wasn't getting enough oxygen. He had fluid in his lungs.
Warning signs of everything from hepatitis to heart disease can also appear on the nails, according to Dr. Joshua Fox, director of Progressive Dermatology and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatologists. "Changes in the nails can be a sign of a local disease, such as a fungal infection, or a sign of a systemic disease, such as lupus or anemia," says Fox.
He says he sometimes tries to guess if a person is anemic by looking at his or her fingernails. He explains that pale, whitish nail beds can mean low red blood cell counts, which is anemia.
Iron deficiency can cause the appearance of thin, concave nail plates with raised edges.
And while most of Fox's patients don't come to him to report a nail problem, he often gets their nails checked anyway. "Nails can give many little clues as to what's going on inside you. Patients with lupus often have tortuous, geniculate blood vessels in the nail folds. Psoriasis starts in the nails in 10% of cases and causes splitting and grooves in the nail plate," provides examples. expert.
Heart disease can make the nail plate red. Syndrome obsessive states may be characterized by constant biting or picking of nails, Fox says.
Even common diseases, such as thyroid disease, can cause atypical changes in the nail beds, which become dry, brittle and easily crack or peel.
He listed 10 the following Examples of nail changes that may indicate a serious illness:
|
Appearance of the nail |
Related disease |
|
White nails Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails Yellowish nails with slight blue discoloration at the base Nails that are half white and half pink Red nail plates Pale or white nail plates Furrows or separation of the nail plate "Thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers" Irregular red lines at the base of the nail fold Black lines under the nail |
Liver disease, such as hepatitis Lung disease, such as emphysema Kidney disease Heart diseases Psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis Lung disease Lupus or connective tissue disease Melanoma |
Not always the first call
But can a doctor really detect undiagnosed heart disease or kidney problems just by looking at your nails? American College of Physicians spokeswoman Dr. Christine Lane, MPH, says it's unlikely. She doesn't dispute the connection between nails and disease, but cautions: "Nail changes are rarely the first sign of serious illness. In most cases, patients will exhibit other signs or symptoms of disease before nail changes become apparent. For example, thickening is unlikely The terminal phalanx of the fingers is the first sign that appears in a patient with emphysema. Breathing problems may be the first to appear."
Additionally, Lane, who is senior associate editor of the Annals of Internal Medicine, notes that certain diseases may cause nail changes in some patients but not in others. "For example, not all people with liver disease have white nails," Lane says. The opposite is also true - not everyone with white nails has liver disease. "In the absence of other signs and symptoms of disease, I would be unsure whether to initiate a comprehensive, expensive evaluation for systemic disease based solely on nail changes."
Fox agrees that you shouldn't rush to your local cardiologist if your nails are red. "Nail polish can also cause this," he says. Before assuming the worst, you should look for a more plausible explanation, such as bruising, bleeding under the nail, or a fungal infection.
When should you visit a dermatologist?
Many common nail problems are caused by fungal infections, which cause nails to crack, peel, and change color and texture. These infections are often difficult to treat, so professional help is needed, including prescribing antifungal medications. Fox says it's best to see a dermatologist if symptoms persist, especially if your nails begin to separate from the base or you experience pain and swelling.
Changes in texture, shape, or color not due to bruising or fungal infection, including abnormal growth, grooves or holes in the nails, dark brown streaks under the nails and cuticles, or persistent growths on the nail bed are of particular concern. According to Lior, they could mean skin cancer. “Growths around the nails tend to develop into squamous cell carcinoma,” she says. “If a patient observes darkening, including the cuticle, we suspect melanoma,” the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Fox advises reporting these types of changes to a specialist as soon as possible. "Dermatologists are experienced in distinguishing between benign and serious nail disease and determining which changes require follow-up evaluation."
According to Tibetan medicine, nails are a by-product of bones.
Look at the size, shape, surface and outline of your nails.
Also see if they are flexible, soft, tender or fragile, easily
breaking.
If your nails are dry, hooked, rough, or break easily, which means wind prevails in the body.
When the nails are soft, pink, tender, easily bendable and slightly shiny, then bile predominates in the body.
If the nails are thick, strong, soft, very shiny, with the same contour, then mucus predominates.
Long lines on nails
indicate poor absorption of food in the digestive system.
Transverse grooves on the nails indicate poor nutrition or at
advanced diseases.
Sometimes the nails are protruding, convex, bulbous, like drumsticks. This condition of the nails indicates weakness of the heart and lungs.
When the nail is spoon-shaped and concave so that it can hold a drop of water, this indicates iron deficiency.
White spots on the nail indicate a lack of zinc or calcium.
Nail coloring may indicate specific problems.
If the moon is a crescent at the base of the nail (blue- means liver disorders; red- a sign of heart failure).
Pale nail color
indicates anemia. Excessive redness of the nails indicates excess
red blood cells. Yellowish nails indicate liver weakness or
for jaundice. Blue nails talk about a weak heart and lungs.
White specks
on the ring finger indicate calcium deposits in the kidneys. If
there are white specks on index finger, this indicates a cluster
calcium in the lungs.
Each finger has a connection with by a certain body. Thumb associated with the brain and skull, and pointing- with the lungs. Middle finger associated with the small intestine nameless- with the kidneys, and little finger- with heart.
IN ancient China Primary diagnosis was made based on the condition of nails and points on the body.
Currently, this method has become very popular, as it can be done independently.
You yourself can diagnose yourself and your loved ones and identify emerging disorders in the body.
Look
look carefully at your nails. You will see that the holes have become much thinner,
than before or even disappeared completely. Only on the thumbs are the holes all
even bigger and brighter.
In heavy smokers or in people
who have lung problems, the holes will be small and thin.
Eastern medicine, by the way, believes that if a person does not have a hole in his
thumb, it means that everything is not right with his head. At the main
the masses of people still have a hole in their thumb, but this is how things stand with
others?
The index finger is believed to reflect the state
large intestine. If the hole on it has decreased significantly or even
missing, need to be returned Special attention on the condition of the intestines,
liver and pancreas. Inflammatory processes and
gynecological diseases are also reflected in the nail holes
index fingers.
Nails
The middle finger is responsible for the circulatory and vascular systems. If
the hole on the nail of the middle finger is missing, the person has problems
With blood pressure, veins and capillaries.
Hole on the nail
ring finger reflects the functioning of the endocrine system. No hole
on the nail of this finger indicates metabolic disorders and problems with
lymphatic system.
Holes on the nails of the smallest finger
responsible for the condition of the heart and small intestine. That's why with
With age, it is the little finger hole that disappears first. Small intestine
slagging and as a result the hole disappears. All this leads to
disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system (the innominate socket becomes thinner
finger), the heart cannot withstand negative changes (the hole on the
nail of the middle finger), and the last to give up is the large intestine.
Nail diagnostics:
1 - normal form nail
2 - short, flat nail - organic heart disease.
3 - big size crescent - tachycardia.
4 - absence of a crescent - heart neurosis.
5 - large convex nail - pulmonary tuberculosis.
6 - a convex nail with a large crescent - a congenital form of tuberculosis.
7 - flat curved nail - bronchial asthma.
8 - tube-shaped high nail - a harbinger of possible oncology.
9 - club-shaped nail phalanx - congenital forms of mental disorders, rigidity, aggressiveness.
10- concave nail- hereditary forms of alcoholism.
11 - flattened-fragmented nail - helminthic infestation.
12 - brittle grooves on the nail - lime deposits..
13 - slag (salt) layers on the nail - acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
14 - elongated nail - diabetes mellitus.
15 - nail of the ring finger in the form of a semicircle - kidney pathology
16 - almond-shaped veins (waves) on the nail - rheumatism.
17 - bitten nail - neuroses, gastritis, sexual dysfunctions in women.
18 - stripes and inclusions on the nail - diseases of the spleen and small intestine.
19 - stripes on the nail - intestinal diseases.
20 - triangular nail - diseases of the spine and spinal cord.
21 - holey nail - pathology of the spleen.
22 - flat nail with an elevation on the index finger - pathology of the spleen.
Diagnostic signs by nail color
Pink nail- in a healthy person.
Yellow color- a sign of liver pathology.
Bright red- about erythremia.
bluish purple occurs with congenital heart defects.
White spots on nails, then perhaps a disruption of the central nervous system.
And yellowish spots on the nails may be signs of brain dysfunction.
cyanotic- cardiovascular pathology.
Pale nails, flat or curved, with longitudinal grooves- a sign of anemia - anemia, lack of iron and vitamins.
White may occur with damage to the adrenal cortex (Addison's disease).
Pale pink, transparent- changes in the blood, anemia.
Milky white- with cirrhosis of the liver,
Black- with thrombosis of the brachial artery and diabetic gangrene.
Gray during an attack of malaria.
Bluish-white color- You need to see a neurologist and gastroenterologist.
Bluish (cyanotic) nails
is one of the symptoms of heart or pulmonary failure,
occurring due to lack of oxygen in the blood. Often accompanied
shortness of breath and weakness.
Changing nail color can be caused by nicotine, liver and gallbladder problems, and infectious diseases.
Bluish or greenish skin color at the base thumb - digestive problems
Nails don't grow well- You need to contact an endocrinologist. Such changes occur with thyroid disease.
Fragility and brittleness of nails—
this is a drawback minerals, such as iron, calcium, and
vitamins B and D. Exactly the signal from the body that requires
short-term use of special medications to prevent more
serious diseases.
Long-term studies have shown that
it is the nails that reflect early appearance any disease. They carry
information about future diseases long before symptoms appear.
Shape and structure of nails.
Fig.1
Enlarged, convex nails (like a watch glass) - may be a sign
respiratory, cardiac or hepatic chronic disease.
Fig.2
Nails are brittle and thin, concave, spoon-like (koilonychias) -
a sign of mineral metabolism disorders, skin problems, anemia, diseases
thyroid gland, this also indicates iron deficiency.
Fig.3
Transverse deepened stripes (Beau’s line) - with temporary slowdown
nail growth rate. And transverse grooves on the nails indicate bad
unbalanced diet or advanced diseases.
Fig.4
Longitudinal grooves - predisposition to rheumatism, problems with
intestines, poor digestion leading to gas formation, poor
digestion of food, feeling of general fatigue, irregularity
menstruation, sexual weakness, depression, nervousness, insomnia, etc.
P.
Fig. 5 Absence of a hole on all fingernails - possible lack of vitamin B-12, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, neurosis.
Fig. 6 A greatly enlarged hole on all fingernails is a sign of cardiac weakness.
Fig. 7 A holey nail is a malfunction of the spleen or pancreas.
Fig.8
The nail is flat, split at the end - characteristic of the presence of worms.
In medical terms, this is “helminthic infestation”, “enterobiasis” and so on.
Fig. 9 White transverse strokes - lack of zinc or calcium.
Fig. 10 Red hole - indicates cardiovascular, autoimmune or endocrine problems, rheumatic diseases.
Additional signs
long lines on nails-bad
absorption of food in the digestive system, inflammation in
gastrointestinal tract, in addition, this signals a deficiency
vitamin B12 and iron. This is also a signal of reduced function
liver and kidneys - which can cause a feeling of general fatigue;
short flat nail
- typical for people with organic heart disease, which
expressed in sensitivity to “stuffiness”, aversion to heat, physical
fatigue;
large crescent size- tachycardia;
absence of crescent-characteristic of cardiac neurosis;
elongated nail- observed in diabetes mellitus.
ring finger nail in the shape of a semicircle-characteristic of various kidney pathologies;
stripes and blotches on the nail-manifest in diseases of the spleen and small intestine;
triangular nails-typical for persons with diseases of the spine and spinal cord;
growths at the end of the nails- chronic lung infection;
brittle nails
- a sign of insufficient iron or vitamin A in the body,
dysfunction of the thyroid gland, kidneys and poor blood supply;
absence of holes— heart neurosis, insufficiency and circulatory disorders;
holes blue color - a sign of liver dysfunction;
red holes- a symptom of heart failure;
bullies—
this is a signal of a lack of proteins, vitamin C and folic acid. Reason
this may be due to either insufficient consumption or poor
digestibility;
peeling nails- signal of energy depletion digestive system, about disorders in the blood circulation, reproductive and nervous systems.
Many diseases can be
identified by nails. Remember that you cannot use only one of
diagnostic methods, it is necessary to compare three or four methods, and only
after that, draw conclusions.
By the way, if we look at
nails of our grandparents, we will be very surprised at the state of their holes
may be better than those of children or even grandchildren. It's about today
lifestyle, poor nutrition and bad ecology. Our situation
unenviable, but good news still exists - if you follow the principles
healthy lifestyle, all the holes will gradually return to their
rightful place.
Start with the simplest cleansing of the body and maintaining the organ system that is most vulnerable to you.
Occasional cracking, redness, blueness, or whitish lines on the nail usually occur after a minor injury that gradually resolves and the nail bed recovers. But if the fingernails are long time change color, shape, texture, then this may be an early warning sign about serious problems with health. If you have one of the following signs, there is reason to see a doctor and undergo an examination to rule out dangerous diseases.
If your fingernails look thin and pale, this may be a sign that your body is not getting enough iron. A deficiency of this important microelement reduces the amount of oxygen that the blood carries throughout the body. You should try increasing it by daily diet the amount of iron-rich foods (beef liver, red meat, dark leafy vegetables, legumes, etc.). After consulting with a specialist, you can take a course of vitamins or dietary supplements enriched with iron.
Since iron deficiency in the body is closely related to anemia, constantly thin and pale nails may indicate the onset of this unpleasant disease. If, in addition to pale nails, a person often feels tired, drowsy, dizzy, then he needs to quickly take a blood test to find out about the exact diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment.
2. Pale nails with a bluish base
When the body doesn't process sugar well, a lack of energy and nutrients can lead to pale nails, just like with an iron deficiency. However, in this case, the base of the crescent-shaped nail usually turns a bluish color. Most often this happens with insulin deficiency or diabetes, when the functions of the liver and pancreas are impaired. This stops the production of enzymes needed to regulate blood glucose levels. If you suspect diabetes (along with its other characteristic signs), you need to take a sugar test, consult a doctor and try to limit your consumption of sweets.
3. White stripes
Fingernails marked with several pale gray or white horizontal stripes may indicate a lack of protein in the body. Most likely, the person in this case is too carried away with the consumption of fiber and carbohydrates. Meat, legume vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish and others will help add protein to the body. After the diet is normalized, the whitish stripes on the nails usually disappear. In some cases, nails with such stripes may indicate problems with the kidneys and liver. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose these diseases.
Loose and brittle nails on the toes and hands with a yellowish tint most often indicate the presence of fungal diseases on the nail plate and skin of the fingers. Fungal infections actively develop between nails and skin. It can be very difficult to get rid of this scourge. The easiest way to do this is at the initial stage of the disease. IN neglected form Treatment may last for several years. At the same time, medications prescribed by a doctor often cause unwanted side effects.
But the fungus is not always to blame for the yellowish tint of the nail plate. This symptom often occurs in those who suffer from liver disease. If at the same time the nails begin to grow much more slowly, then perhaps there are problems with the functioning of the lungs, including such serious diseases as emphysema or pleurisy.
5. Redness at the base of the nail
If there is redness at the base of the nails and the color of the nail “crescent” seems brighter than usual pink shade, then this may indicate poor blood circulation and a diseased heart. When redness appears irregularly in the form of reddish lines around the cuticle or on the sides of the nail bed, it may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as lupus. When it occurs, the body begins to attack its own healthy tissues, mistaking them for pathogens or foreign substances. If redness is noticeable throughout the nail plate, this is often associated with erythremia, a type of leukemia, a tumor disease of the hematopoietic tissue.
6. Bluish or purple nail plate
The bluish-purple color of nails most often indicates problems with the heart, blood circulation and blood vessels. These could be congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, tachycardia, angina pectoris, etc. In this case, poor blood flow deprives the nails of oxygen, so the skin under them turns blue or takes on a cold, dark purple hue. To rule out this fact, it is best to take blood tests, undergo a cardiogram and talk to a cardiologist.
7. Dark streaks
If along the entire length of the nails there are one or more dark brown stripes formed for an unknown reason (not a bruise or contusion), but they begin to appear more and more often throughout the body dark brown spots and moles, then the development of skin cancer may have begun. If you have such suspicions, you should immediately consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin urgent treatment. In addition to professional therapy, for cancer patients it is useful to include more foods rich in antioxidants in the diet. This will help slow down the further spread of free radicals that damage healthy cells in the body.
Nails marked with many small pits may indicate early stage psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that subsequently leads to the formation of large, painful rashes throughout the body. Irregularities in the nail plate also occur due to fungal infections, or after physical trauma to the nail.
9. Brittle or thin nails
Lack of nutrients has a bad effect on the health of nails: they become thin and brittle. But sometimes this condition of the nails, along with a constant feeling of fatigue for no apparent reason, are symptoms of hypothyroidism - a disease in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to maintain the body's metabolism at the proper level. If, in addition to brittle nails, a person experiences bouts of nausea, suddenly gains weight and begins to have difficulty hearing, then he should visit an endocrinologist.
10. Peeling nails
Nails peel off at the most various reasons: vitamin deficiency, stress, fungus, lack of calcium, improper care, allergies, injuries, etc. But if the nails begin to peel and easily separate from nail bed for no apparent reason, this may indicate an excess of thyroid hormones.