Fingernails can provide a snapshot of your overall health. Certain health conditions, injuries or nutritional deficiencies affect nail formation. Because nails grow slowly, deformities caused in the past remain visible for months. Changes in nails or growth patterns can alert you to seek medical attention for an underlying problem.
Normal Growth
Nails are simply hardened skin cells, says the American Academy of Dermatology. The nail is made of keratin, a protein found in hair and skin cells. Nail formation begins beneath the skin at the base of the nail, explains Robert S. Fawcett, M.D., of York Hospital in York, Pa. The nail plate pushes out of the matrix at the base of the nail as it grows. Any disruption in the matrix, whether from disease or injury, results in deformities in the layers of the nail plate. Whether the deformities appear in the deeper layers or surface layers depends on the specific area of the matrix affected.
Factors Affecting Nails
Nail appearance may be affected by hormone imbalance or normal aging, notes the American Academy of Dermatology. Fungal infections change the surface of nails, causing them to appear discolored and thickened. Bacterial infections typically result from an injury to the nail bed or skin surrounding the nail. Fungal infections are generally painless, unlike bacterial infections. Changes in the shape of the nail may result from tumors or warts beneath the nail plate.
Medical Conditions
Nail abnormalities resulting from underlying medical conditions vary according to the cause of the deformity, according to Fawcett. Psoriasis causes nails with pitted surfaces. Sinus or bronchial infections, rheumatoid arthritis or immune deficiency syndrome can cause yellow nail syndrome, where the nails become yellow, thick and slow growing. Heart or pulmonary diseases may cause clubbing. In these conditions, platelets stick together in bunches, thickening the tissue beneath the nail plate and at the tips of the fingers. Nails with an upturned spoon shape result from injury or exposure to petroleum-based solvents. Lines across the nails may result from several factors, such as minor injuries, liver disease, malnutrition or normal aging. Color changes in the light-colored crescent at the base of the nails may be a sign of heart failure or poisoning.
Treatment
Treatment of abnormal nails depends on the cause. Topical creams and ointments for bacterial or fungal infections are ineffective because they cannot penetrate the nail plate, says the American Academy of Dermatology. Oral medications treat the infection but the appearance of the nail will not change until it grows out. Warts can be frozen and removed, although surgery may be required if the wart is beneath the nail plate.
Considerations
Seek medical attention if you notice change in the color or shape of your nails, advises the American Academy of Dermatology. Anemia, diabetes, heart conditions and liver or kidney disease may affect nail appearance. See your health care provider if you see swollen skin around the edges of the nail, or white or black lines, dents or ridges in the nail plate.
Member Comments