Non-infectious diseases of the nails. Types of deformations of the nail plate. Diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Paronychia - purulent inflammation near the nail

Astrology

Toenails have changed color, become flat, covered with thin grooves or exfoliate - often we do not consider this a problem or do not notice at all. Meanwhile, even subtle changes in the nails can be a signal of serious internal problems in the body. Find out how common toenail diseases appear and why they occur, what folk and traditional methods and means treat them, which doctor to contact - find out from the article.

Health indicators of toenails:

  • smooth, slightly convex surface;
  • correct, repeating the shape of the finger;
  • lack of sagging, longitudinal and transverse furrows;
  • lack of compacted areas, cracks and dents;
  • smooth, not thickened, not exfoliating and not crumbling edge;
  • strong, dense, slightly pliable and elastic structure;
  • uniform pale pink color without yellowness and bluish tint;
  • the absence of white, yellowish and dark spots under the nail plate.

Diseases of the toenails, photo

Diseases of the toenails, depending on the causes, are infectious And non-infectious.

Non-infectious include:

  • leukonychia;
  • onycholysis;
  • melanonychia;
  • hyperkeratosis;
  • chromonychia;
  • paronychia;
  • onychocryptosis;
  • curling nails;
  • grooves on the nail plates;
  • exfoliation of toenails.










Infectious include:

  • fungal infections of the toenails - onychomycosis;
  • bacterial nail panaritium.





Changes in toenails - should I be worried?

Yes, any, even not too noticeable, changes in the nails are undoubtedly a cause for concern and an urgent visit to the doctor. Firstly, they may indicate metabolic disorders, hormonal imbalance, lack of trace elements important for the body, and serious internal diseases. Secondly, infectious (fungal and bacterial) nail lesions are contagious, moreover, they can spread into the deep layers of soft and bone tissues. Thirdly, yellowed, exfoliating, grooved or dense nails look unaesthetic.

Mycologists are involved in the examination and treatment of patients with infectious diseases of the toenails. Non-infectious toenail diseases are treated by dermatologists and, if necessary, by surgeons.

The nail is twisted on the leg, photo, cause, diagnosis, how to treat?

Twisting of one or more toenails from the lateral edges to the center is not an independent disease. Most often, this is a consequence of an unprofessional pedicure, mechanical trauma to the cuticle and onychocryptosis - ingrowth of the edges of the nail into the proximal (periungual) skin roller. Also, twisting of the toenails can be a complication of onychomycosis - the defeat of the nail plates by the fungus.

Nail twisting is diagnosed if:

  • the nail plate has become dense, heterogeneous;
  • the color of the nail has changed, its surface has become matte;
  • the edge of the nail is difficult to trim / file;
  • it has risen at the edges of the proximal ridge and rolls up to the center with a "tube";
  • when walking, discomfort and pain are felt.

Eliminating curled toenails is always complex. During the examination, they find out what is the cause of the problem. If it is an injury, surgical treatment is performed, a course of physiotherapy recovery procedures. If the twisting is caused by onychomycosis, first of all they fight a fungal infection and only then correct the shape. nail plate and the direction of its growth.

Black spot on the nail of the big toe, photo, cause, presumptive diagnosis, how to treat?

Causes of dark spots and stripes on the nail plates:

  • mechanical injuries of the toenails (strong blows, compression, etc.);
  • complication of a fungal disease of the nails, periungual panaritium;
  • benign or malignant neoplasms under the nail plate.

When diagnosing, first of all, pay attention to the color of the spot under the toenail. Crimson and dark purple (hematomas) usually appear due to trauma. Dark spots with a greenish or yellowish tint are formed with the complication of onychomycosis - fungus of the toenails. Black, dark blue and brown spots may indicate problems with the liver, as well as subungual tumors. The treatment of dark spots under the nails is aimed primarily at identifying and eliminating the cause.

If you know for sure that the dark spot under the toenail appeared as a result of a bruise or pressure, while there is no pain, inflammation, swelling, you can wait. After some time (2-3 weeks), small hematomas dissolve and disappear, and large ones disappear along with the damaged area of ​​the nail plate. If the reason for the appearance of a spot under the nail is unclear, you should hurry to a specialist.

The nail on the big toe exfoliates, photo, cause, presumptive diagnosis, how to treat?

They say about the bundle of the toenail if:

  • the front edge of the nail plate became thinner, became softer;
  • the usual color of the growing part of the nail changed to off-white, grayish;
  • the tip of the nail became non-smooth, scales and peeling appeared on it;
  • the edge of the nail peels off with thin leaf-shaped plates, it cannot be leveled with a file.

Toenails can exfoliate:

  • with a lack / excess of calcium;
  • with a deficiency of protein, sulfur, zinc, selenium;
  • with hormonal imbalance;
  • with chronic liver diseases;
  • with some renal pathologies;
  • with anemia - a deficiency in the body of iron;
  • with endocrine disorders;
  • as a result of taking certain medications;
  • with frequent contact of nails with alkalis, with hot water;
  • when using low-quality decorative products;
  • after an unprofessional pedicure.

Often, simple measures - a balanced diet, avoidance of contact with chemicals, regular nail and cuticle care - are enough to stop the nails from exfoliating. If you can’t cope with the problem on your own, it makes sense to contact a dermatologist or therapist.

Treatment of exfoliating toenails is prescribed depending on the cause of the disease. You may be recommended vitamin and mineral complexes and dietary supplements, paraffin therapy, baths with herbal teas, applications with essential oils, therapeutic varnishes and other procedures to restore the normal strong and elastic structure of the nails and stop their delamination.

Crooked toenails, photo, causes, diagnosis, how to treat?

To deform - change shape and structure, become heterogeneous, become covered with grooves and undulating influxes, separate from the cuticle and twist - toenails can be for a number of reasons.

Common causes of curvature of toenails:

  • hereditary predisposition;
  • wearing uncomfortable shoes;
  • deficiency of nutrients and vitamins;
  • chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys;
  • trauma, inflammation and abscesses of the nails;
  • complication of nail panaritium;
  • consequences of long-term untreated onychomycosis.

For the treatment of curvature of the toenails, vitamins, mineral complexes, paraffin therapy, applications with ozocerite and healing mud, physiotherapy are prescribed. In difficult cases, when crooked nails hurt, become inflamed, interfere with walking, surgical correction is made.

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Which doctor treats toenail fungus?

Onychomycosis legs - local or total fungal infection of the surface of the nail plates - refers to infectious diseases. It can be caused by several types of dermatophyte fungi: Trichophyton Rubrum, Trichophyton Interdigitale, Trichophyton Tonsurans, Microsporum Canis, etc.

Examination, identification of the causative agent of onychomycosis, as well as the appointment of a course of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory treatment and restorative procedures mycologist.

How does toenail fungus start, signs, photos?

You can suspect onychomycosis of the toenails if:


Factors provoking the development of onychomycosis:

  • walking barefoot in the pool, sauna and on the beach;
  • excessive sweating of the legs;
  • wearing tight, wet shoes;
  • cracks and damage to the skin of the feet;
  • neglect of hygiene;
  • weak immunity.

Radical methods of treating foot fungus with the complete removal of the affected nail plates are in the distant past. Modern medicine uses a hardware treatment procedure - gentle grinding of diseased areas of the nails in several sessions (as they grow back) under local anesthesia.

Hardware treatment is used if more than 40% of the nail surface is affected by the fungus. At the initial stages of onychomycosis, antifungal drugs, antimycotics, antibacterial treatment, therapeutic varnishes and emulsions are prescribed, restoring the healthy structure of the toenails and physiotherapy.

The effectiveness and timing of the treatment of fungal infections of the toenails directly depend on the time of application for treatment. medical care. In the early stages of onychomycosis, it is much easier to cope with the disease than with a developed, total and complicated infection. Therefore, if one of the above manifestations is detected, you should not postpone a visit to the mycologist. It is important to understand: if "onychomycosis" is diagnosed, self-medication is canceled!

Folk recipes for fungus on the legs







Laser treatment of toenail fungus

One of the most effective methods of dealing with onychomycosis of toenails is laser therapy. The procedure is based on the sterilization of spores of the fungus that has affected the surface of the nail plates, after which their reproduction, and hence the development of the disease, stop.

As a result of exposure to laser beams, the fungus dies, and the damaged nail plate is replaced with a healthy one over time. A full course of laser treatment is from 7 to 10 procedures at intervals of 1-1.5 weeks. In difficult cases, along with laser treatment, systemic and antifungal drug therapy is used,

Among the advantages of laser treatment of onychomycosis:

  • low trauma;
  • absolute painlessness;
  • no side effects;
  • high efficiency;
  • low risk of relapse after recovery;
  • the ability to simultaneously get rid of onychocryptosis - ingrown nails.

Effective ointments and varnishes from the fungus

In combination with hardware procedures and antifungal medications, varnishes and ointments are used in the treatment and prevention of relapses of onychomycosis.

The action of varnishes is based on the destruction and sterilization of fungal spores, depriving them of their ability to multiply, creating a dense airtight coating on the surface of the nail plate, and preventing the spread of infection to healthy nails.

Seven effective healing varnishes for onychomycosis of the legs:

  1. "Lotseril";
  2. "Oflomil";
  3. "Batrafen";
  4. "Mikozan";
  5. "Lamisil";
  6. "Demicten";
  7. Oflomelid.

Antifungal ointments contain antimycotics, anti-inflammatory and nail regeneration substances. Due to their thick and viscous consistency, they provide a long-lasting, effective and gentle effect only on the affected areas of the toenails.

  1. "Lamisil"
  2. "Terbizin";
  3. "Lamicon";
  4. "Mycomax";
  5. "Exoderil";
  6. "Atifin";
  7. "Terbinox".

What pills for toenail fungus?


Ten effective medicines in tablets for onychomycosis:

  1. "Orungal";
  2. "Lamisil";
  3. "Introconazole";
  4. "Diflucan";
  5. "Fluconazole";
  6. "Griseofulvin";
  7. "Onykhon";
  8. "Terbinafine";
  9. "Ketoconazole";
  10. "Irunin".

Butchers toenail fungus video

Diseases and nails of a person, what diseases do nails speak of:

Any deviations in the condition of human nails do not just happen. As a rule, this is a side effect of taking certain medications, a reaction to a deficiency in the body of certain nutrients, vitamins, microelements, to hormonal and metabolic imbalances, to exacerbations of chronic diseases.

platonychia (photo, causes and signs)

Platonychia- flattening (dystrophy) of one, several or all nails - may be the result of:

  • poisoning with toxic substances;
  • taking strong medications (in particular, antibiotic and antifungal);
  • prolonged squeezing or traumatization of the nail plates;
  • complications of skin and nail psoriasis, eczema;
  • circulatory disorders in the proximal tissues;
  • decompensated cirrhosis of the liver;
  • congenital anomaly.

Left unattended, platonychia of one nail plate can develop on other nails. Therefore, it makes sense to find out the cause that caused the pathology as soon as possible and eliminate it. In the treatment of platonychia, in addition to the basic medicines prescribed by the doctor, inophoresis, phonophoresis, paraffin therapy are used, therapeutic baths on the basis of phytocollections that improve blood circulation, tissue trophism and restore the structure of nails, essential oils and sea salt.

transverse lines on the nails (photos, signs and causes)

Transverse furrows (the so-called Bo strips), stretching from one periungual roller to the opposite, may appear:

  • with trauma and atrophy of the matrix - the root of the nail plate;
  • as a result of anemia - iron deficiency in the body;
  • with a lack of zinc and potassium;
  • in case of failures in metabolic processes;
  • with disorders in the gastrointestinal tract;
  • with diseases of the liver, kidneys;
  • after prolonged wearing of false nails;
  • as a result of infectious diseases.

Doctors strongly advise against grinding irregularities and stripes on the nails with files and buffs. In the absence of proper treatment, such a “disguise” can only exacerbate the problem - damage and seriously deform the nail plates.

Micronichia. The main signs of this pathology are shortened and reduced in size nail plates. Sometimes changes also concern the density of the stratum corneum of the nails, as well as their color and relief.

Micronychia nails can occur for a number of reasons:

  • due to a congenital anomaly;
  • with genuin epilepsy - a systemic metabolic disorder;
  • with scleroderma - fibrous change in the nail matrix;
  • with onychophagia - obsessive nibbling of the edges of the nails;
  • with onychodestruction - progressive nail dystrophy;
  • as one of the manifestations of trophoneurosis;
  • as a complication of nail fungus.

It is impossible to cope with developing micronichia on your own. To determine the cause of the disease and draw up an effective treatment regimen, it is important to contact a dermatologist as early as possible (when the first, even subtle, manifestations are detected). You may need to consult a neurologist and additional examinations.

Leukonychia called whitish dots, strokes and stripes under the nails. This is nothing more than microscopic accumulations of air bubbles between the layers of the nail plate.

Causes of leukonychia:

  • deficiency of calcium, zinc;
  • hypovitaminosis;
  • metabolic disorders;
  • injuries of the nail phalanx;
  • prolonged compression of the nail;
  • consequences of infectious diseases;
  • chemical intoxication (arsenic, thallium);
  • immune pathologies;
  • fungal infection;
  • liver disease.

Treatment, depending on the cause of leukonychia, includes the mandatory therapy of the underlying disease, the appointment of courses of vitamins and mineral complexes, diet, physiotherapy, therapeutic baths and applications.

Onycholysis- partial detachment of the nail plate from the proximal (lateral) skin ridges and tissues of the subungual bed. As a result, the nails are noticeably deformed, become dry, brittle, lose their luster and transparency, and in complicated cases, turn blue, turn yellow or acquire a grayish-brown tint.

Why does onycholysis of the nails occur:

  • as a result of treatment with antibiotics (in particular, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones);
  • due to chemical intoxication;
  • as a complication of a fungal infection;
  • with allergies to household chemicals.

Therapeutic measures are aimed primarily at eliminating the cause of onycholysis. Exclude contact with allergens and aggressive household chemicals; carry out restorative treatment after taking antibiotic drugs; prescribe sensitizing and antimycotic drugs; physiotherapy for the correction of nail growth and therapeutic baths for their regeneration.

onychorrhexis nails (photo, signs, causes, recommendations)

At onychorrhexis the integrity of the nail plate is violated. Simply put, it splits from the root to the outer edge of the nail. The main manifestation of the disease is a noticeable vertical crack on the surface of the nail (usually closer to the center).

Causes of onychorrhexis:

  • circulatory disorders in the nail matrix;
  • one of the manifestations of systemic atherosclerosis;
  • Raynaud's syndrome;
  • vasculitis;
  • nail psoriasis;
  • onychomycosis - fungal infection of the nails;
  • complication of thyrotoxicosis;
  • complication of diabetes;
  • metabolic or hormonal imbalance;
  • trauma and compression of the tissues of the nail bed, cuticle, nail root.

Treatment of onychorrhexis is complex. After finding out the cause of the pathology, a course of drugs is prescribed to treat the underlying disease, as well as procedures aimed at restoring and correcting the growth of the nail plate.

The ingrowth of the lateral edges of the nail into the tissues of the periungual roller is called onychocryptosis. In addition to the fact that an ingrown nail inevitably causes inflammation of the cuticle and palpable pain when walking, if not properly treated, it can cause a periungual or subungual abscess. One of the most formidable complications of onychocryptosis is gangrene. Most often, the pathology occurs on thumbs legs.

Causes of onychocryptosis:

  • hereditary predisposition - an abnormal direction of growth of the nail plate;
  • wearing shoes that squeeze, injure and deform nails;
  • unprofessional pedicure;
  • bruise, compression or other injury to the nail phalanx of the finger;
  • complication of flat feet, a sharp weight gain;
  • nail deformity due to fungal infection.

At the first stages of the treatment of onychocryptosis, antiseptic dressings that relieve pain and inflammation are used, and if necessary, antifungal drugs. In complicated cases, a minor surgical operation may be necessary to free the edges of the ingrown nail, eliminate abscesses and necrotic tissues. After the removal of acute symptoms, splints correcting the correct growth of the nail are prescribed.

Chromonychia diagnosed with yellowing of the surface of the nail plates.

Chromonychia may be due to:

  • tobacco abuse;
  • allergies to household chemicals;
  • side effects of certain medicines;
  • the use of low-quality decorative products;
  • broncho-pulmonary pathologies;
  • endocrine disorders;
  • hepatitis of any type;
  • cirrhosis of the liver.

The best way to get rid of chromonychia is to identify and eliminate the cause of the pathology.

Can nail disease be cured with home remedies?

Home remedies in the treatment of nail diseases are effective only in combination with medicines, vitamin preparations and professional procedures prescribed by the doctor. This is especially important to consider in infectious diseases of the nails.

Who should diagnose and treat nail disease?

Please note: this article is informational. We do not recommend using the listed ointments, varnishes, tablets and folk recipes for the treatment of nail diseases without examination and consultation with a mycologist or dermatologist.

It is impossible to imagine beautiful and well-groomed legs without healthy nails. But they are often subjected to mechanical and chemical stress, which leads to deformation.

Deformation of the nail plate a fairly common occurrence. Many adults, as well as children, suffer from this problem.

Nail deformation is a process in which the structure of the nail plate changes due to external, internal influences or due to some kind of injury.

Differences between a healthy nail and a diseased nail:

Ingrown toenail and fungus

How is the deformation of the nail plates manifested?

Pigmented streaks on nails

In some cases, nail removal will be indicated. It can be partial or complete. There are several methods for removing nails:

Surgical;

Chemical;

Laser.

Ingrown nail

Then contact an experienced specialist as soon as possible so that he can prescribe you a high-quality and effective treatment. When a hematoma forms under the nail, a puncture must be made to release blood. Instruments must be completely sterile to prevent inflammation of the nail.

Most often, patients start treatment, thereby exacerbating their disease.

Treatment of deformation of toenails at home

And if you are very concerned about the deformation of the toenails, and you cannot get to the doctor in the near future, then the following recipes will help you soothe irritation and pain.

Infusion with celandine.

It is made at the rate of 100 mg of grass per 4 liters of water. Bring the water to a boil and immediately pour the prepared raw materials with this water. They insist for about an hour. Make such lotions to sore spots for 15 - 30 minutes, every day for 3 weeks. Then they take a break for 1 month and repeat the course.

healthy and fungal nail

Or you can grease sore spot Kalanchoe juice, celandine juice, onion cut in half, and eucalyptus oil.

Can be used internally herbal decoctions:

1) nettle decoction;

2) calamus decoction;

3) a decoction of a string;

4) decoction of St. John's wort;

5) decoction of elecampane.

All these herbs can be purchased at any pharmacy. Read the instructions for their use on the packaging.

Most importantly, stay positive! Strengthen your immunity! Don't be discouraged! And don't give up!

Human nails are derivatives of the epidermis and are horny plates that serve to protect soft tissues on the terminal phalanges of the fingers. Nails, like skin, can signal the onset of any diseases in our body. For example, they can turn yellow with diabetes, chronic bronchitis, etc.

Healthy nails are characterized by the following features

  • convex shape;
  • Transparency of the nail;
  • Glossy surface;
  • Smooth surface;
  • Lack of pigments;
  • The rounded ends press down the skin quite a bit;
  • The nail fits snugly to the bed;

Nail diseases are divided into and non-fungal.

anonychia

Anonychia is a disease of the nails on the hands or feet, in which the nails are completely or partially absent. In the place where the nail should be located, there is a hardened, tightened tissue, similar to the nail germ. The disease can develop both on one finger and on all. anonychia

is divided into congenital (it is a hereditary pathology and acquired) - it can occur with a nail injury, or as a consequence of severe nail diseases, and in some cases diseases nervous system.

Atrophy

Nails are characterized by thinning of the nail plates, splitting, as well as paleness of color. As with anonychia, atrophy can be congenital or acquired.

Atrophy can develop with systemic and dermatological diseases such as fungus, lichen or psoriasis.

Signs of atrophy:

  • Nail plates are deformed;
  • Nails take on a gray tint;
  • The thickness of the nail decreases, its crumbling is possible;
  • The plate becomes soft;
  • The abundance of flaws and inclusions on the nails;

Onycholysis

- a disease of the nails, in which the nail plate exfoliates from the bed. It starts, as usual, from one edge and, as it develops, increases the area of ​​​​exfoliation. During the course of the disease, the nail may change color, taking on blue, yellow, brown shades, or fade. May develop with nail injury, frequent contact with chemicals, side effect antibiotics, bacterial infection, onychomycosis, etc.

Signs of onycholysis:

  • Void under the nail;
  • The even dividing line at the end becomes steep;
  • Loss of sensation in the nail bed pads;
  • Color change;

Onychocryptosis

- a disease of the nails in which the nail plate grows into the lateral part of the nail fold and is accompanied by inflammation of the nail fold.

The main causes of onychocryptosis:

  • Improper pedicure;
  • Narrow and uncomfortable shoes;
  • Sudden rapid weight gain;
  • flat feet;
  • Onychomycosis;

Onychomycosis

- a disease of the nails, in which the nail is infected with a fungus on the hands and feet.

Signs of onychomycosis:

  • discoloration or discoloration;
  • Changing the texture and thickness of the nail;
  • The appearance of furrows and roughness on the surface of the nail;
  • The appearance of foreign formations under the nail plate;
  • Weakening, fragility, foliation of the nail;

It is worth noting that with onychomycosis, almost all of the above signs should be involved.

Paronychia

Or panaritium, paronychia - a disease of the nails, in which inflammation of the cuticle and periungual roller occurs. Most often it develops as a result of infection through wounds and microcracks.

Paronychia is divided into acute (it develops rapidly and unexpectedly), the cause of which is an accidental injury, and chronic (progresses slowly, frequent relapses), occurs on the basis of systemic abnormalities of the body, a fungus, or a weak immune system.

Pigment anomalies

Diseases in which the nails change color. Such anomalies can be initiated by a wide range of pathogens, not necessarily fungal in nature. As a result, the color can be anything: blue, yellow, green, white, black, etc. Causes of discoloration of the nail a large number of: arthritis, diabetes, beriberi, disease of internal organs, infectious diseases, etc.

Other diseases in which nail changes are possible

  • Thinning of the nail plate with raised edges indicates a lack of iron in the body;
  • Flat nail - sick spleen;
  • Bitten nails speak of a disease of the central nervous system, dysfunction of the gonads in women, gastritis in men;
  • skin around the nails, and cracking of the plate - problems in the thyroid gland;
  • White nails indicate possible problems with the liver, hepatitis, Addison's disease;
  • Red nail plate - heart disease;
  • Yellow, thickened, slow-growing nails indicate lung disease;
  • Yellowish plate - circulatory disorders or stomach ulcers;
  • Yellow nail plate with a slight blue at the base - diabetes mellitus;
  • White, pale nails speak of anemia;

Everyone can face a very unaesthetic problem of nail disease. And although fingernail diseases can be cured quickly and painlessly, this unpleasant problem spoils appearance manicure, sometimes accompanied by pain and can bring psychological discomfort to its owner. Problems associated with an external change in the nail plate can be either serious and require the immediate intervention of a specialist, or quite simply solved with the help of simple folk remedies. Therefore, before proceeding with treatment, it is necessary to determine the type of disease and find out the cause.

Causes of nail disease

  • Fungal infections. The most common cause of external changes in the nails are fungal diseases. It is fungal viruses that lead to the fact that the surface of the nails loses its luster, becomes yellow, stripes and small spots appear, and the nail itself gradually thickens, crumbles and deforms. In some cases, there is a rejection of the nail from the nail bed.
  • Wrong care. As a rule, the use of a hard nail file during the manicure procedure and the use of low-quality decorative products can cause delamination of the nail plate and change its color. .

However, it is worth knowing that a yellowed nail plate may indicate a malfunction. digestive system. Therefore, if your manicure has acquired an unnatural color and the reason is not at all decorative varnish or fungal infections, you should contact your doctor and undergo an examination.

  • Vitamin and mineral deficiency. Frequent sign pathological changes nails lies in the lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. In this case, the manicure acquires an unnatural pale color, the nails grow very slowly, fragility and delamination increase. To quickly neutralize this cause, there is no need for special treatment, it is enough to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables into the diet.
  • Injuries. As a result of an injury, the nails can also exfoliate, break, and sometimes their integrity is completely violated and the damaged nail may disengage. In this case, treatment can be carried out at home, using compresses and soothing ointments, but if the case is severe, you should consult a doctor.
  • Systemic diseases. Chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, cirrhosis of the liver can also lead to deformation of the nail plate and a change in its color and structure.

It should be noted that real professionals can easily determine the degree of the disease by the nails: for example, a deformation more reminiscent of watch chips occurs with lung diseases and heart defects. The white color of the nails, as a rule, indicates serious problems with the liver. If light lines appear on the nails, this indicates that your disease is progressing.

  • Skin diseases. Fingernails can change their appearance in case of skin diseases. For example, damage to the nail plate occurs due to the manifestation of psoriasis, which, in turn, manifests itself as a result of a violation of the body's immune system. And do not think that getting rid of psoriasis is a quick process, on the contrary, psoriasis requires complex treatment only under medical supervision.
  • professional reasons. Often nails exfoliate, crumble, change color as a result of professional duties, for example, if work is associated with frequent use of water or hands are subject to permanent injuries.

Main features

It is very important to recognize the symptoms that indicate a particular disease in time and, if necessary, contact a specialist.

  • The first symptoms of fungal infections are itching and redness of the periungual roller.
  • Stratification of the nails can indicate the appearance of a fungal disease or psoriasis, and sometimes indicates a lack of vitamins, minerals and certain nutrients in the body.
  • The nail plate can dramatically change shape and color. In this case, you should not self-medicate. It is necessary to immediately contact a specialist who will analyze the symptoms, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
  • Hemorrhage of the fingertips and their external changes are a characteristic sign of fungal diseases, which also need to be treated under medical supervision.

Methods of treatment

There are a huge number of effective ways to treat external and internal diseases of the nails, and it must be properly selected depending on the cause and type of disease. For example, in the early stages of fungal infections, traditional medicine and numerous fungal creams and ointments are ideal. But if you bought big nails yellow and began to crumble, it is best to resort to laser procedures or use others, no less effective methods. To learn more about the treatment options, check out our list.

  • External treatment. As a means of local therapy, antifungal varnishes, creams and solutions are used, which are applied directly to the affected area. This method has a huge number of advantages, namely ease of use, the absence of toxic effects and all kinds of side deviations.

You should know that for the effectiveness of this method of treating nail disease, it is necessary to remove the surface part of the infected area before applying the drug. To do this, just steam your nails in a warm soda bath and use a nail file to polish their top layer.

  • Systemic therapy. In this case, all drugs are taken orally and act on infectious diseases by entering the bloodstream. Moreover, their high concentration, even several months after ingestion, can be an ideal prophylactic against the recurrence of infection.
  • Combined treatment. As a rule, this type of complex treatment is used if the plate of the nail surface is completely affected and frequent relapses occur. When using this method of treatment, external and internal preparations are simultaneously prescribed.
  • Pulse is therapy. Although pulse therapy is based on a combined method of treatment, its essence lies in the fact that all drugs are taken in short courses and alternate with a long break. This technique is considered not only effective, but also more convenient for everyday look life.
  • Physiotherapy. Thanks to special preparations that are administered using electric, water and magnetic fields, it is possible to get rid of absolutely any infectious disease in just a few procedures.
  • non-traditional methods. Along with traditional methods, many prefer to use no less effective folk methods, which can not only heal the nails from all ailments, but also strengthen the body as a whole. Especially if you are taking tinctures and herbal teas.

It must be remembered that almost all non-traditional methods of treatment are most effective in the early stages of the disease, and they are best used in combination with traditional drugs. But if you still decide to use healing herbs in the later stages, it is best to consult a doctor.

  • laser therapy. fashionable and effective method the fight against fungal infections and other diseases of the nails - the laser is able to completely heal the nail bed and destroy the fungal spores. In addition, laser therapy eliminates the likelihood of allergic reactions and re-infection.
  • surgical method. Currently, this method is not particularly in demand, as it can cause complications of the disease and does not exclude the possibility of relapse.

Preventive measures

In order for the nails on the hands to always look beautiful and neat, and each fingertip radiates health and pleases its owner with a natural shine, simple preventive measures must be followed. After all, it is the usual care that can prevent the occurrence of a serious disease and preserve the natural beauty of the hands and fingertips for many years.

  • Right way of life. Compliance with daily routine moments, a balanced diet, moderate physical activity and the absence of stress can work wonders not only with the appearance of nails, but also with the general condition of the body.
  • Manicure procedure. If you do not have time to visit a professional nail master, you should learn how to properly perform the entire manicure procedure.

It is worth noting that if you are doing a manicure at the master, you need to make sure that all nail tools are disinfected and that the nail materials meet your standards. And do not be shy to ask the master questions of this kind, because the health of your nails is much more important.

  • Compliance with hygiene rules. When visiting gyms, saunas, swimming pools, you need to take care not only of the nails on your feet, putting on special shoes, but always remember about the nails on your hands. Therefore, do not forget about such a simple procedure as washing your hands with soap. Also, use a special antibacterial cream as needed.
  • Decorative nail tools. Varnishes, decorative coatings and all kinds of creams for removing cuticles must be of high quality, because the appearance and health of your manicure depends on their composition.
  • Strengthening procedures. Even the simplest preventive procedures can strengthen the nails on the hands and make them flawlessly beautiful. Therefore, it is necessary to do baths based on salt or iodine, herbal masks or compresses at least once a week.

Thanks to the usual recommendations and simple preventive measures, it is possible to keep fingernails in perfect order. However, it is worth remembering that any external change can signal a more serious internal disease. Therefore, at the first signs of a change in the nail plate, it is necessary to consult your doctor and, if necessary, undergo complex treatment.

The methods for determining diseases by the nails, which we will discuss in this article, will help to take timely measures to get rid of the health problem that has arisen.

An experienced physician can determine the state of human health, not only by the color of the skin of the face and the presence of edema, circles under the eyes, but also by the condition of the nails.

What do nails say about human health?

Even in ancient times, each nail of the hand was associated with the state of health of a certain internal organ human body.
Healthy nails have a pink color, a smooth surface, a little natural shine. The slightest deviations from this indicate the appearance of health problems.

Video: 5 things nails tell about your health

How to determine the disease by the nails of the hands?

When determining the disease, one should take into account the change in nails according to:

  • Nail plate pattern
  • The state of the lunula
  • Nail shape
  • Nail color

Diagnosis by the condition of the nails

Plate pattern



  • White spots - low hemoglobin, lack of vitamins, reduced immunity, problems with the central nervous system are possible

If only on the index fingers, then there may be excessive deposition of calcium salts

  • Black spots are a sign of endocarditis
  • The nail changes greatly due to fungus and psoriasis
  • Paired horizontal stripes - a lack of protein in the diet. Kidney disease, due to which excess protein is excreted from the body
  • The division across into two halves indicates an advanced kidney disease. The bottom of one half usually has a milky color, the top is normal
  • A line that does not appear from physical impact is formed when high temperature, fever. They indicate already transferred diseases, the deeper the line, the more serious the disease.
  • Black spots that did not appear from the injury indicate liver disease, inflammation of the heart membrane
  • Beige or brown formation under the nail, warns of the possibility of cancer
  • Yellow or brown spots on the nail at the edge of the nail, may appear due to psoriasis
  • White spots in the form of flakes or crumbling grooves warn of the appearance of fungal diseases
  • Brittle and exfoliating nails, a sign of a thyroid disorder. At the same time, if hair falls out, the skin flakes off, it can indicate the presence of beriberi and hormonal imbalance.
  • Small numerous dimples - a sign of psoriasis
  • Nail tears or deep grooves - may be dysbacteriosis or intestinal ulcer

Lunula state



observe the state of the lunula

Lunula are white semicircles on the nails, on the border with the cuticle.

  • If the lunula has disappeared - problems with the lungs
  • If only on the index finger, then the pancreas, liver, and colon are not working well. There may be pelvic disease. Spheres lore
  • On the middle finger, the disappearance of the hole, notifies of a vegetovascular disease, heart rhythm disturbance, hypertension or hypotension, this is a harbinger of a failure of the cardiovascular system
  • If there is no hole on the ring finger or the hole decreases, this may be a violation of the endocrine system, lymph nodes, this is a call for a mandatory examination of the body
  • On the little finger, the hole disappears quickly, as this is a sign of a problem with the small intestine. May also disappear in hypertensive patients suffering from heart rhythm disturbances

Video: Diagnosis by nails

Toenail diagnostics



Toes, as well as hands, can say a lot about a person's health:

  • Big both legs are responsible for the brain
  • Index finger on the right - lungs (large intestine), adrenal glands. Left - heart (small intestine), thyroid gland
  • The middle toe of the right foot is associated with the internal and external genital organs. Left - sense organs, pineal gland
  • The ring finger of the right foot diagnoses the kidneys, bladder, testicles and ovaries
  • Left toenail - brain and spinal cord, pituitary gland
  • The little finger nail on the right foot is responsible for the health of the spleen, stomach, and pancreas. Left nail - liver, gallbladder, thymus
  • By the condition of the toenails, you can find out about vascular diseases
    Thickened toenails that cannot be cut with scissors indicate a chronic disease of the arteries and veins.
  • The cyanotic color of the toenails indicates severe circulatory disorders and thrombosis.
  • Brittleness and delamination of the nail is a sign of a fungal disease

Nail shape and health



Checking health by the shape of the nails

An important factor in the diagnosis is the shape of the nails.
The outlines of the nail plate are considered: in shape, pattern, size, concave or convex.

There are many options for the shape of nails changed as a result of the disease, consider the main ones:

  • A bent, depressed finger over the entire nail covering indicates a chronic or hereditary addiction to alcohol.
  • A flat and short nail indicates heart disease
  • Nail in the form of watch glasses, formed from diseases of the bronchi, heart, lungs Swollen last phalanges warn of cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, ulcers, thyroid problems
  • Increased area of ​​the nail - a problem with the lungs
    It is important to understand here that the shape of the nail must be looked at in the comparative period: it was narrow, but it became wide - it speaks of a problem. The presence of natural indicators is not considered
  • A flat nail warns of problems with the respiratory organs. With the appearance of additional changes, bronchial asthma is possible. Additional foliation of the marginal rim, diagnoses helminthic invasion
  • A nail bent inward in the form of a pipe is a harbinger of an oncological disease. You should not make a diagnosis yourself, but you should make an appointment with the doctor
  • Triangular nails predict spinal disease
  • Concavity in the center of the nail and a bluish tint indicate anemia
  • Bright pink, rounded, magnifying glass nail - a sign of respiratory disease

Nail color and health



The state of health also depends on the color of the legs:

  • Yellow nails - the liver is not in order
  • Red surface - possible erythremia
  • The entire white surface or partly not reaching the lunula warns of cirrhosis of the liver.
  • Purple and blue nails - congenital heart disease

Nail diagnostics photo and description



Dividing the nail in half - eczema, psoriasis

Cross grooves are a sign of improper nail care. They are also formed due to stress, an infectious disease and other serious illnesses that have already been transferred. Due to poor nutrition and lack of zinc in the body

The longitudinal line is rare. Appears due to acute malnutrition, severe arterial disease, arthritis, lichen planus. Vertical grooves may be the result of excessive consumption of carbohydrates, iron deficiency, bowel disease

White nails, a sign of the development of cirrhosis of the liver, thyroid disease

Nails half white, half pink, warning of kidney failure

Hand nails health table


Changes in the nail plate Possible disease
white nails Hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver
Yellowish, thickened, slow growing nails Lung problems
Yellowish nails with a slight bluing at the base Diabetes
Half white, half pink nails kidney failure
red nails Heart problems
Pale and white nails Anemia
Furrows or delamination of the surface of the nail Psoriasis or arthritis
Thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers lung disease
black lines under nails Melanoma
Red, uneven lines along the nail fold Lupus, a connective tissue disease


Without professional knowledge, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease from photographs of nails. The violations of the nail plate listed in the article provide assistance only in the direction that you should pay attention to your health. In case of cardinal changes in natural nails, it is necessary to consult a doctor.

Video: Nail Diagnosis