Nail Abnormalities
Abnormalities — such as spots, discoloration, and nail separation — can result from injuries to the fingers and hands, viral warts (periungual warts), infections (onychomycosis), and some medications, such as those used for chemotherapy.
Certain medical conditions can also change the appearance of your fingernails. However, these changes can be difficult to interpret. Your fingernails’ appearance alone isn’t enough to diagnose a specific illness. A doctor will use this information, along with your other symptoms and a physical exam, to make a diagnosis.
You should always consult your doctor if you have any questions about changes in your nails.
If
you have a problem with brittle or weak nails, keep them short to avoid
breakage. Use lotion on your nails and cuticles to keep the nail and
nail beds moisturized.
Shop for nail lotionsIf you get professional manicures or pedicures, make sure your nail salon is properly certified and that nail technicians use proper sterilization techniques. You should avoid long-term use of nail polish and nail polish removers.
Shop for manicure scissorsConsult your doctor if you notice a problem with your nails to rule out any serious conditions.
https://www.healthline.com/health/nail-abnormalities-2#yellow-nail-syndrome
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-nails-and-health
https://www.google.com/search?q=nail+abnormal&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
Nail Abnormalities
Healthy nails appear smooth and have consistent coloring. As you age, you may develop vertical ridges, or your nails may be a bit more brittle. This is harmless. Spots due to injury should grow out with the nail.
Abnormalities — such as spots, discoloration, and nail separation — can result from injuries to the fingers and hands, viral warts (periungual warts), infections (onychomycosis), and some medications, such as those used for chemotherapy.
Certain medical conditions can also change the appearance of your fingernails. However, these changes can be difficult to interpret. Your fingernails’ appearance alone isn’t enough to diagnose a specific illness. A doctor will use this information, along with your other symptoms and a physical exam, to make a diagnosis.
You should always consult your doctor if you have any questions about changes in your nails.
Some changes in your nails are due to medical conditions that need attention. See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color)
- changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing)
- changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)
- nails that become brittle
- nails that are pitted
- bleeding around nails
- swelling or redness around nails
- pain around nails
- a nail separating from the skin
Depressions
that run across your fingernail are called Beau’s lines. These can be a
sign of malnourishment. Other conditions that cause Beau’s lines are:
- diseases that cause a high fever such as measles, mumps, and scarlet fever
- peripheral vascular disease
- pneumonia
- uncontrolled diabetes
- zinc deficiency
Clubbing
is when your nails thicken and curve around your fingertips, a process
that generally takes years. This can be the result of low oxygen in the
blood and is associated with:
- cardiovascular diseases
- inflammatory bowel disease
- liver diseases
- pulmonary diseases
- AIDS
Koilonychia
is when your fingernails have raised ridges and scoop outward, like
spoons. It’s also called “spooning.” Sometimes the nail is curved enough
to hold a drop of liquid. Spooning can be a sign that you have:
- iron deficiency anemia
- heart disease
- hemochromatosis, a liver disorder that causes too much iron to be absorbed from food
- lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation
- hypothyroidism
- Raynaud’s disease, a condition that limits your blood circulation
Nonuniform white spots
or lines on the nail are called leukonychia. They’re usually the result
of a minor trauma and are harmless in healthy individuals. Sometimes
leukonychia is associated with poor health or nutritional deficiencies.
Factors can include infectious, metabolic, or systemic diseases as well
as certain drugs.
Mees’ lines are transverse white lines. This can be a sign of arsenic poisoning. If you have this symptom, your doctor will take hair or tissue samples to check for arsenic in your body.
When the nail plate separates from the nail bed, it causes a white discoloration. This is called onycholysis. This can be due to infection, trauma, or products used on the nails.
Other causes for onycholysis include:
Other causes for onycholysis include:
Pitting
refers to small depressions, or little pits, in the nail. It’s common
in people who have psoriasis, a skin condition that causes the skin to
be dry, red, and irritated. Some systemic diseases can also cause
pitting.
When the tip of each nail has a dark band, it’s called Terry’s nails. This is often due to aging, but it can also be caused by:
- congestive heart failure
- diabetes
- liver disease
Yellow nail syndrome
is when the nails get thicker and don’t grow as fast as normal.
Sometimes the nail lacks a cuticle and may even pull away from the nail
bed. This can be the result of:
- internal malignancies
- lymphedema, swelling of the hands
- pleural effusions, fluid buildup between the lungs and chest cavity
- respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis or sinusitis
- rheumatoid arthritis
You can prevent many nail abnormalities by taking good care of your nails. Follow these general guidelines to keep your nails healthy:
Tips
- Don’t bite or tear at your nails, or pull on hangnails.
- Always use nails clippers and trim them after you bathe, when nails are still soft.
- Keep your nails dry and clean.
- Using sharp manicure scissors, trim your nails straight across, rounding the tips gently.
Shop for nail lotionsIf you get professional manicures or pedicures, make sure your nail salon is properly certified and that nail technicians use proper sterilization techniques. You should avoid long-term use of nail polish and nail polish removers.
Shop for manicure scissorsConsult your doctor if you notice a problem with your nails to rule out any serious conditions.
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- Fawcett RS, et al. (2004).
Nail abnormalities: Clues to systemic disease.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15053406 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017).
Raynaud’s disease.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20363571 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018). Fingernails:
Do’s and don’ts for healthy nails.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/nails/art-20044954 - Mayo Clinic Staff. (2018).
Fingernails: Possible problems.
mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/nails/sls-20076131 - Systemic lupus erythematosus.
(2011).
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0024510/ - Tully
AS, et al. (2012).
aafp.org/afp/2012/0415/p779.html
Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, MD on March 30, 2018 — Written by Ann Pietrangelo
related stories
https://www.healthline.com/health/nail-abnormalities-2#yellow-nail-syndrome
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-nails-and-health
https://www.google.com/search?q=nail+abnormal&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
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