Washing, sanitising and taking every precaution to keep them clean – has taking care of our hands ever been as important as it is now?
Unfortunately, this renewed focus (and frequent washing) on our hands has not only exacerbated issues like dryness and cracking, but it’s also made our nails quite sensitive too.
In most cases these small dents and chips are nothing to worry about. However, diseases that affect your whole body can change the blood flow, growth patterns, or shape of your fingernails in ways you may notice long before any other symptoms.
We spoke to Dr. Fatima Bhabha from Dr Bhabha Aesthetics about five of the most common nail disorders, what they might indicate and how to treat them.
Nail discolouration
According to Dr. Bhabha there are many reasons why your nails could become discoloured. Although some are fairly harmless; such as brownish tinged nails as a result from years of smoking, or a reaction to certain medication, there are some colours that could indicate a more serious health problem.
YELLOW discolouration of the nails may be caused by a fungal infection; a respiratory problem, like chronic bronchitis; or chronic sinus infections.
GREEN discolouration under a fingernail often indicates that the nail has detached from the nail bed, and an infection has developed.
RED discolouration can be caused by blood appearing under the nail due to recent trauma to the nail or may signal a nutritional deficiency in folic acid, protein or vitamin C.
BLUE commonly appears when there is a bruise or a trauma healing underneath the nail or may indicate a B12 deficiency or a lung problem, such as asthma or emphysema.
BLACK/DARK BROWN longitudinal lines can be serious and can indicate some form of melanoma.
How to treat nail discolouration
The good news is, most causes of nail discolouration are easily treatable. “Keeping your nails short and clean, drying them thoroughly and regularly applying a nourishing hand cream is key in keeping nails healthy”, says Bhabha. However she does stress that if the colour persists or the nail appears abnormally thick, it's best to visit a dermatologist.
Oncholysis
Onycholysis is the medical term for when your nail separates from the skin underneath it and typically occurs slowly over time and could result from an underlying health condition or injury.
“Nail plate separation can occur for various reasons,including psoriasis or iron deficiency, but the most common cause is onychomycosis (a fungal nail infection)”, says Dr. Fatima.
How to treat oncholysis
“It's important to note that the detached portion of the nail will not reattach. The aim of treatment is for the new nail growth to remain attached to the underlying nail bed,” says Dr. Bhabha. She suggests that the affected portion of the nail is clipped and is kept short with frequent trimming, to avoid potential irritants such as solvents, and detergents and to use antimicrobial soaks, such as dilute vinegar, to minimise the risk of secondary infection.
Brittle nails
Brittle splitting nails, or onychoschizia, is a common issue that can simply develop due to ageing or if there is too much or too little moisture due to external factors. Though less common, other causes may include underlying illnesses such as anaemia, hypothyroidism, or Reynaud’s syndrome ( a problem that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers).
How to treat brittle nails
The most common remedy is to show your nails some extra TLC. Regular use of moisturiser, keeping the nails protected from chemicals and repeated exposure to water and eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of protein are key in strengthening your nails.
White spots
There's a big misconception that white spots on the nails are caused by a calcium deficiency. However, Dr. Bhabha says that's a myth. The condition, called punctate leukonychia, is actually due to some kind of minor trauma when the nail is being formed.
How to treat white spots on your nails
There isn't much you can do to remove the discoloration, besides be patient. "Removal of these white spots requires waiting for the nail to grow out because they are located within the nail plate and not just on the surface," explains Dr. Bhabha.
However if these If white spots aren't going away after a few months, Dr. Bhabha recommends checking in with a dermatologist for further expert evaluation.
Horizontal nail lines
Known as Beau’s lines, these deep horizontal ridges or depressions indicate something caused the nail to stop growing temporarily. Triggers can include high fever, a serious illness, major surgery, blood transfusion, any major stress to your system, says Bhabha.
How to treat horizontal nail lines
Beau’s lines will eventually grow out on their own. They do not need any specific treatment. However, it is strongly recommended that you visit a doctor if there is constant pain or soreness, as it may signify a serious underlying medical condition.