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Common for thousands and typically a deficiency in iron, a sign of thyroid disease or poor diet whether lack of nutrients or poor quality food, brittle nails can be a real bummer. Regular chemical exposure can also be the culprit.
What do I do? Though our food and soil these days are severely lacking the vitamins and nutrients we need increasing any of these high iron foods in our diet can help.
Personally I take 2 tablespoons of black strap molasses every morning to get my additional fix of iron after I found out later in life that I am anemic. Iron supplements can be very harsh on your stomach so that’s why I chose Molasses.
Vertical ridges are inevitable in many older folk. Deep horizontal ridges or depressions, are far more concerning. Beau’s lines is when something causes the nail to stop growing temporarily. Serious illness, major surgery, a car accident, chemotherapy, blood transfusion or high fever can be prompt these changes in your nails.
What do I do? Ask your doctor what the cause could be.
Other possibilities is an allergic reaction to nail polish, gloss, hardener, or nail polish remover may cause white spots on your nails. The use of acrylic or gel nails can also badly damage your nails and may cause these white spots.
Less common causes for white spots on nails include:
What do I do? Again try a more balanced diet and food high in zinc. Here are some examples:
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Yellow, thick and slow growing may be a sign of lung problems. You may also experience excessively curved nails and see them separate from your nail beds.
What do I do: Consult your doctor.
A classic sign of a habit tic deformity, is a washboard-like series of horizontal depressions on the thumb nail.
This is very common is pickers. You know who you are….
What do I do? People can fix the issue if they simply stop manipulating their thumb cuticles, other options can be found in the linked article above.
Paronychia and can be caused by pushing back the cuticle far too aggressively.
Avoid sharp implements to cut or push back your cuticles. The best way to manage cuticles is to gently rub a towel over your nails after a shower when your skin is soft to get rid of the dead skin on the surface of the nail, she noted.
Your cuticle prevents bacteria, fungus, yeast and mold from getting underneath your nail and causing an infection.
What do I do? Soak your nails in hot water two or three times a day to help reduce swelling and pain. Cold water can be used for extreme inflammation. Oral antibiotics can be prescribed if the problem persists.
Hormones and certain medications can make pigmented bands in the nails, be watchful for a brown or dark stripe that goes from the cuticle out to the free edge of the nail, especially if it’s getting wider.
While we may think the most deadly types of skin cancer show up as a mole or dark spot, it really can start at with the nails. This may be a sign of melanoma.
Think about this…. Only about 1 percent of all melanomas in Caucasians occur in the nail, but if you’re African-American, 20 percent of melanomas start at the nail.
What do I do? Get any and all brown pigmentation on your nails checked out by a dermatologist.
Contact Verve, in downtown Pittsburgh today to schedule time with one of our talented nail champions for all your nail needs. We look forward to becoming part of your personal nail care routine.