Unusual Nail Growth

Unusual nail growth may signify health problems ranging from psoriasis to vitamin deficiency. If your nails have recently exhibited changing growth patterns, visit your doctor to examine the possible causes. While many of these nail problems result from a minor injury to the nail area, others are signs of serious health issues.

Types

Unusual nail growth comes in many forms. The nails may become brittle, breaking easily. They may develop white spots, overall discoloration, or ridges across the nail. Separation of nail from the nail bed, so that the nail can be lifted from the underlying finger, is another possibility. The nails also have the potential to change shape, either to a scooped-out appearance known as spoon nails, or a rounded appearance known as nail clubbing.

Causes

Many nail problems, including brittleness, are caused by exposure to weather or water. Others, such as white spots, result from minor injuries to the fingernail or the nail bed. Causes of discoloration include nail polish, cigarettes, hair dye, or injury to the nail. Ridges across the nail usually have genetic factors, though they are also caused by nail biting, a history of serious infection such as measles, or more serious health issues such as diabetes, circulatory diseases, or malnutrition.

Other nail problems are signs of ongoing health issues. Separation of the nail from the nail bed may indicate psoriasis, thyroid disease, or a reaction to acrylic nails and other nail products. According to the Mayo Clinic, yellow discoloration may signify respiratory conditions such as bronchitis or a yeast or bacterial infection under the nail. Nail clubbing can indicate lung disease, cardiovascular disease, or liver disease, while spoon nails may indicate iron deficiency.

Significance

Changes in nail color and appearance may be a sign of illness, though not necessarily. Determining the reason behind the unusual growth can allow you to catch such problems earlier. On the other hand, many unusual nail growth patterns are insignificant and are not symptoms of any health issue. It is difficult to diagnose the exact cause of unusual nail patterns yourself; a medical professional must be consulted to determine whether it is the result of a minor nail injury, or the sign of a bigger problem.

Prevention/solution

Some signs of unusual nail growth cannot be prevented. The University of Michigan Health System and other health experts state that minor nail injuries, while painful, are not serious and do not usually require medical attention. White marks or a black or purple-black color under the nail caused by nail injury may last for weeks or months, and will go away as the nail heals or grows out.

Taking proper care of your nails and keeping a close eye on your overall health can reduce the chance of unusual nail growth or injury. Wearing gloves when outdoors or washing the dishes can reduce some fingernail issues. Avoid biting the nails, and give them a break from constant manicures and nail polish. A balanced diet also goes a long way toward preventing nail problems, not to mention a range of more serious health issues.

Other nail issues have no solution, and one must simply wait for the nail to grow out, which takes about six months for fingernails and 18 months for toenails. If the nail separates from the nail bed, it will not reattach until it has grown out.

Misconceptions

Many people mistakenly believe that nail deformities result from deficiencies in protein or calcium. According to the Mayo Clinic, taking excess protein or calcium supplements will not reverse unusual nail growth; nor will soaking the nails in gelatin, another common nail remedy.