Nail diseases of the toes and hands, photos, description, symptoms

Often, when you see changes in your fingernails or toenails, your first instinct is to run to the drugstore and buy an antifungal ointment. However, the cause of this change can be completely different; in addition, non-fungal diseases of the fingernails or toenails are sometimes just symptoms of other destructive processes in the body.

Reasons for unhealthy nails

Normally, nails should be smooth, not dense, and pink. If the nail changes color, shape, becomes brittle, brittle, or the nail plate detaches partially or completely from the phalange of the finger, this may indicate the following problems:

• Improper care of fingernails and toenails;
• Failure to comply with hygiene rules;
• Whether there are infectious or parasitic diseases in the body;
• Injuried;
• the regular damaging effects of harmful substances;
• Congenital anomalies that only become apparent over time;
• Organ system diseases - cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine;
• Development of low-mass tumors.

In addition, nails also change with age. As they age, they may become yellow, hard, or brittle.

disease description

It is rare for both fingernails and toenails to be affected at the same time; usually the nails of the upper limbs are affected.

Hippocratic nails

The end phalanges of the fingers become thicker and the nails become convex and rounded. Hippocrates was the first to describe this phenomenon affecting the hands, which is how it gets its name. It is not a separate disease but may appear as a symptom in the following conditions:

• emphysema;
• tuberculosis;
• Long-term endogenous poisoning;
• cardiovascular system diseases;
• Cancer, especially lung cancer.

Sometimes Hippocratic nails may be a hereditary or congenital pathology. In cancer, it develops rapidly over months or weeks; in other cases, the process of change may continue for years.

Onychomycosis

Hypertrophic changes can occur in the arms and legs. The nails harden, become clear, yellowish-grey, and may separate from the nail bed over time. This is considered a manifestation of endocrine disease, although the primary cause of onychomycosis is currently unknown.

Onychomycosis

Another name is "Bird Claw". It can occur due to frostbite or severe bruising.Nails become dense and uneven, taking on an unnatural color, ranging from grayish-yellow and brown to almost black. Furthermore, its free edges are curved like a bird, or twisted into a spiral.Treatment involves using salicylic patches or ointments to soften the nail surface; in advanced cases, it can be scraped off or surgically removed.

onehawks

Subungual corneal overgrowth, accompanied by blackening of the nail and inflammation of the nail fold. It affects 1-2 fingers; in rare advanced cases, it can be observed on all fingers and toes. Insufficient nail nutrition usually results in the following diseases:

• diabetes;
• Varicose veins;
• Atherosclerosis of blood vessels in the lower extremities;
• Elephant disease.

It can also be caused by an injury or a poor-quality manicure; sometimes onychomycosis is a warning that the body is deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. To correct this situation, doctors prescribe drugs that dilute and stimulate blood circulation; in case of vitamin deficiencies, essential nutrients and multivitamins are added to the menu.

hypothyroidism

A fungal or bacterial disease that sometimes accompanies the fingernails and toenails, usually caused by mechanical injury or frequent nail biting (onychophagia). The nail bed becomes inflamed, and the nail matrix itself turns black and completely falls off the finger within a short period of time. Depending on the cause of the disease, this occurs at both the free and internal edges.Treatment aims to improve circulation in the painful finger through massage, vitamins, and medications. If alopecia areata is contagious, the disease causing the alopecia areata should be treated accordingly. Additionally, they try to protect the exposed nail bed from fungus and bacteria, otherwise the affected nail will never grow back.

Beau transverse groove (Beau-Reil line)

They appear due to inhibition of the nail growth zone due to metabolic disorders, injury or unsuccessful manicure, and often appear in children as a reaction to viral infection. Depending on the course of the disease, one or more may appear, making the nails appear wavy (see photo above).Bo's line looks like an arc that extends from one side of the roller to the other, across the entire surface of the nail. Its depth can be up to 1 mm, depending directly on the severity of the disease. In difficult cases, the groove tightens the nail so that its free edge does not receive adequate nourishment, gradually shrinks and falls off the finger.By eliminating the factors that cause thin lines to appear, the imperfections on your nails will disappear on their own over time.

Longitudinal furrow

They are also called vertical. Possible reasons for its occurrence:

• age-related changes;
• Nervous system disease;
• psoriasis;
• Spinal cord injury;
• gout;
• Intestinal or pancreatic function defects;
• Rheumatoid Arthritis;
• Lichen planus;
• cardiovascular system diseases;
• Damage to the base of the nail plate;
• Lack of iron and vitamin B12.

Once the cause is eliminated, the nails themselves will return to their original appearance. To improve the appearance during treatment or with age, longitudinal wrinkles can be hidden under a layer of special varnish.

leukonychia

White spots appear on the nails. Their shape, number, and location vary with body functions. Spots on nails indicate the following problems:

• protein deficiency;
• Lack of vitamins (especially C, E, A) and trace elements (calcium, zinc, iron);
• bacteria;
• Disturbances in metabolic processes in the body;
• Overload of the nervous system: stress, depression, anxiety;
• intestinal problems;
• Frequent exposure to household chemicals, low-quality varnish;
• cardiovascular system diseases;
• kidney disease;
• skin disease.

If no disease is suspected, then this defect can be corrected independently. It is enough to establish a rest and work schedule, supplement your diet with foods containing essential nutrients, and wear gloves when coming into contact with household chemicals.

Nail malnutrition

Changes occur in the periungual folds, nail plate, and bed. Nails become less transparent, change in thickness, and grow slower. Longitudinal wrinkles may also appear and the color may change to greyish-yellow. The causes of this nail disease may be:

• fungal diseases;
• Injuried;
• Skin diseases (psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus);
• Vitamin deficiency;
• Chronic diseases of the endocrine system;
• heart and lung problems;
• Interaction with bases, acids, chemicals with unprotected hands.

Onycholysis

Nail dystrophy. During onycholysis, the color of the nail plate can be observed to change from yellow to brown. Nails become brittle and partially or completely detach from the nail bed. possible reason:

• fungal and bacterial infections;
• skin disease;
• taking antibiotics;
• Dysbiosis;
• Injuried;
• exposure to allergens;
• some chronic diseases.

Nail inlay

The main causes of this type of toenail disease are tight shoes and improper trimming. The nails grow into the side pads, causing swelling of the fingers, pain when walking, and inflammation of the soft tissues.In mild cases, you can treat it with foot baths and softening compresses; in severe cases, only a surgeon can correct an ingrown toenail.

Nail crack

Weak nails lead to nail separation. It is often accompanied by diseases and conditions that cause impairment of microcirculation in the fingers. A harsh diet and frequent exposure to an alkaline environment may also be causes. A broken leg is extremely rare.

Anoonychia

Lack of nail plate. It can be congenital or acquired after injury, organic neurological disease, or certain skin conditions.

open beetle

Nails thin and become as concave as spoons. possible reason:

• genetics;
• anemia;
• the ongoing damaging effects of acetone or household chemicals;
• some infections;
• Manicure not done correctly.

Xiaojia

Pathologically small and short nails. It may be congenital or develop as a result of biting your nails. Tiny nails sometimes also show symptoms of the following diseases:

• Progressive scleroderma;
• Trenone syndrome;
• Flat hemangioma;
• true epilepsy;
• Hand malnutrition.

nail cleavage

The deck separates laterally. It usually occurs due to the aggressive effects of household chemicals and substances found in decorative nail products. It often occurs in representatives of professions with increased mechanical stress on the fingers: musicians, printers. Vitamin deficiency can also cause onycholysis.

Onychomycosis

Fungal nail diseases are most common on the feet and there are many types, so for more effective treatment, it's best to consult a dermatologist.This fungus can infect anywhere, but it requires a warm, moist, dark environment to thrive, which is why it primarily affects the feet. The disease takes a long time to develop, and the first symptoms may not appear until several months later.First, the infected area feels itchy and the skin begins to dry and peel. Secondly, the nails themselves are affected, their color changes, cracks appear on the surface, and a rancid smell develops. If left untreated, mycosis can spread throughout the body over time and cause various complications.

Mephalosaurus

The nail plate becomes soft, cracked, and split. It occurs due to diseases of the endocrine system, metabolic disorders in the body, and regular exposure to corrosive chemicals.

Platonia

The nail surface is completely flat (see photo). It can be congenital or acquired as a result of professional activities. In addition, some chronic inflammatory processes can trigger this defect.

prevention

The simple rules listed below will help you prevent many possible toenail and fingernail diseases.

• You can't bite your nails.
• File your nails with a glass or cardboard file.
• Manicures should be performed on steamed hands, which reduces the risk of microtrauma and therefore the risk of wound infection.
• If you use the services of a salon for nail care, make sure the technician sterilizes tools before use.
• Dry hands and feet.
• Your diet should include enough foods containing vitamins and minerals.

Most importantly, don't be lazy to contact your doctor and get additional tests from a specialist. The earlier a disease is detected, the greater the chance of defeating it.