The nails are a type of modified skin similar to hair. They assist in protecting the fingers and toes as well as providing clues for general health. The Harvard Medical Center Family Health Guide notes that the nails reveal health signs and can...
Fingernails and toenails reveal volumes about your body. Nail discoloration can be attributed to reactions to medications, bacterial and fungal infections, age, smoking or melanoma. As cited by Dr. Robert W. Griffith in a December 2009 article...
Nicotine and dark nail polishes can stain your nails yellow and are common culprits for unsightly discoloration. In addition, you can get yellow nail stains from exposing your nails to rust, paints, varnishes and other chemicals. Fungal infections...
Nails are comprised of hardened, living skin cells and may be affected by illness and physical ailments. One sign of a possible problem is a change in the color of the toenail. Discoloration of the toenails may be due to a variety of reasons. Once...
Ringworm (tinea) is a contagious fungal skin infection that can affect any region of your skin including the scalp, body, groin or feet. Though ringworm occurs more commonly in children, people of any age can be affected by this condition. Talk...
Psoriasis is an immune disease that affects skin and joints. In psoriasis, cells grow too fast on the skin, causing skin cell buildup that forms skin lesions. According to the PsoriasisNet website, 50 percent of people with active psoriasis have...
Fingernail discoloration can be a sign of a nail infection. The condition can also occur from health problems and underlying medical conditions. The fingernails often provide signs of overall health and wellness. Chiropractic doctor and holistic...
If white or yellow spots appear on your fingernails or toenails, it may be an indication of a fungus infection. Such infections could be caused by fungi called dermatophytes or by yeasts and molds. If left untreated, the fungus infection could...
Toenail fungus often begins as a yellowish or brownish spot under the nail. It spreads deeper into the nail and causes a larger discoloration. The nail might thicken and develop unsightly, crumbling edges. Sometimes it can lead to a painful...
A fungal infection of the finger or toenails is called onychomycosis and is most commonly caused by dermatophyte fungi. More than one nail can be infected and fungal infections are more common on the toenails. The MayoClinic.com notes that nail...
The appearance and texture of your fingernails can give your health care providers important clues related to your overall health. Many diseases and conditions may cause fingernail changes before other symptoms occur. If you experience a change...
Toenails take a great deal of abuse in life. Crammed into too-tight shoes, rammed into pieces of furniture, and subjected to fungi left behind on gym floors, toenails often become discolored. Because toenails aren't always examined on a regular...
Most people agree that summer has officially arrived when they can finally slip on a pair of flip flops or sandals. But for some, nail discoloration makes this summer tradition impossible. There is a solution to treating ugly toenails--Nonyx Nail...
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses drugs to destroy, stop the spread or retard the growth of cancer cells. Two groups of chemotherapy drugs cause changes to the nails. These two groups include the taxanes and the anthracyclines. Direct toxicity...
Moisturizing creams and manicures can improve the appearance of your hands, but don't underestimate the importance of your diet in the health of your nails. In some cases, discolored or damaged nails can be a sign of a more serious health problem,...
Your nail health is a reflection of your diet. The strength and appearance of your nails is directly impacted by the vitamins, minerals and proteins that you consume. This is why it is essential that you strive to eat a diet rich in vegetables,...
Fingernail fungus infections occur when fungi infect one or more fingernails. Symptoms include nail discoloration and thickening, crumbling nail edges and pain, according to MayoClinic.com. When deciding what treatment course to pursue, your...
Several factors put you at higher risk to get nail fungus. Knowing what increases your risk of fungal nail infections, helps you better determine if what's growing on your thumb nail is indeed fungus related. Nail fungus is most common in adults...
Fungal infection of fingernails (also known as onychomycosis) is caused by two groups of fungi: yeasts, and moulds, which is Norse for "fuzzy." Fungi are organisms lacking chlorophyll. They thrive in moist, dark environments. Dermatophytes ("skin...
Discoloration of skin, nails and teeth may be the result of lifestyle factors such as exposure to the sun, tobacco use or consumption of foods and drinks that stain teeth. More often, though, discoloration is a symptom of an underlying medical...
Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes pain, stiffness and swelling in and around the joints. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, getting diagnosed as early as possible is essential in minimizing the symptoms and severity of...
Taxol is the brand name for the generic chemotherapy drug paclitaxel, according to the Mayo Clinic. It interrupts the growth of cancer cells, and is used to treat breast, ovarian and some kinds of lung cancers. It is administered intravenously,...
Psoriasis, according to the experts at the Mayo Clinic, is a condition that affects the way that skin cells replicate and divide. In psoriasis, the skin cells grow and replicate very quickly, which leads to a build up of skin cells on the surface...
Nail fungus is a common health problem that can be extremely difficult to treat. MayoClinic.com states that nail fungus can spread from one nail to another, and it can cause your nail to become thicker, discolored, unsightly and, in some cases,...
Fungal infections of the nail, also known as onychomycosis, affect about 12 percent of Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. A fungal infection of the toenail often begins as a white or yellow spot under the nail, then...
Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection that commonly affects children, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information website established by the National Institutes of Health. This infection can affect any region of the human body, including...
Ketoconazole cream is a topical prescription medication indicated to treat fungal or yeast infections, such as athlete's foot or skin yeast infections. This topical cream is part of a class of medications called imidazoles and works by inhibiting...
An abundance of half-truths purport to be the sole cause of thin, brittle, peeling nails. The health of your nails can tell you a lot about the health of your body whenever you notice pronounced changes in nail color, shape and surface texture....
Nails are composed of layers of keratin, a protective protein manufactured by the body. When the body does not receive enough of the nutrients needed to create healthy keratin, the result may be dry and brittle nails that crack and break easily....
Nails disorders include ingrown toenails, fungi, etc. Get expert tips and advice on nail treatments in this video.
Nail fungus is a common nail disorder. Get expert tips and advice on nail treatments in this video.