In an ideal world, everyone would have a perfect manicure or healthy natural nails. However, this is not always the case in reality. On the contrary, many common nail problems and injuries can damage the nails, cuticles, or nail bed, or even indicate a more serious problem elsewhere in the body.
As with many health issues, understanding the signs of these conditions is the first step to avoiding, detecting, and treating them, should they appear despite your best efforts. These common problems can be avoided or their symptoms mitigated with proper care, as long as you know what you are dealing with.
Onycholysis
Onycholysis, or the separation of the nail from the nail bed, is usually a painless problem. Many cases simply come from long nails, but it can also be the result of skin diseases, an infection, or an injury. Most of the time, however, onycholysis is caused by local irritation, such as chemical overexposure, an allergic reaction, or excessive or overly vigorous use of a nail file or buffer. For the most part, you can avoid this problem by choosing quality nail polishing kits, booking your appointments with certified professionals in licensed salons, and avoiding injuries to the nails and nail bed.
Splinter Hemorrhages
Splinter hemorrhages are small spots of blood that appear when the capillaries, or blood vessels, along the nail bed are damaged. Often, these are caused by an injury or other trauma and are not alarming. In other cases, however, a splinter hemorrhage or multiple hemorrhages may occur for no apparent reason. This could be a sign of a fungal infection, cholesterol buildup, or diseases such as vasculitis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease, or bacterial endocarditis. If you notice unusual hemorrhages, especially in the presence of other symptoms, be sure to talk to your doctor to rule out these illnesses.
Discoloration
Beyond splinter hemorrhages or white areas resulting from onycholysis, other types of discoloration can affect the nails, making them white, yellow, or even green. Other conditions may seem to tint the nail, changing the color of the skin around and underneath. In the vast majority of cases, this is due to an infection, such as trichophyton rubrum or pseudomonas. In some situations, discoloration can be caused by more serious conditions, including anemia and diseases of the liver, heart, or kidneys. Be sure to monitor any new symptoms and consult a healthcare professional if in doubt.
Biting or Picking
In most cases, biting or picking at your nails will not prevent healthy nail growth. You could, however, damage the skin around the nail, increase your risk of infection and contact with bacteria, or even damage your teeth in the process. To avoid this, adopt habits that promote healthy manicures, such as wearing gloves or applying a bitter polish designed to prevent nail biting.
The various conditions and injuries that frequently affect the nails are not just there to ruin your new manicure. On the contrary, they can be a sign of serious health problems throughout the body or even cause problems as a consequence. By taking care of your nails, using the right care tools, and avoiding biting or picking at the nails (among other bad habits), you will be less likely to encounter most of these problems. However, if such a condition hinders your self-care efforts, your doctor can help treat the problem and provide additional preventive measures, if necessary.
