Your fingernails and toenails protect the tissues of your fingers and toes. They are made up of layers of a protein called keratin, which is also in your skin and hair. The look of your nails can be a mirror to your health. Good looking nails are typically smooth and consistent in colour. Particular types of nail discoloration and changes in the development rate can be indicators of heart, lung, liver, and kidney diseases, as well as anemia and diabetes.
Signs of Nail Diseases
Some changes in your nails are because of medical conditions that need consideration, such as:
- Redness or swelling around fingernails and toenails
- Thickening or thinning of the nails
- Nail separation from the skin
- Bleeding around nails
- Brittle or pitted nails
- Pain around fingernails and toenails
- Discoloration or changes in nail shape
Consult your doctor if you have any of these issues!
Types of Nail Disease
Here are the 3 most common types of nail disease:
Pseudomonas
This is a bacterial infection that can occur between an artificial nail coating and the natural nail plate or between the natural nail plate and the nail bed. It is believed that the classic green discoloration of this type of infection is some type of mold. But mold is not a human pathogen. The discoloration usually is caused by iron compounds and it is because of the infection. Pseudomonas feeds off the dead tissue and bacteria in the nail plate. The moisture levels help it to grow. That’s why the nail plate becomes dark and soft underneath an artificial coating. The infection can also cause the nail plate to lift from the nail bed.
Yeast/Fungal infection
This type of infection is characterized by nail plate division with apparent debris under the nail plate. Usually, it appears yellowish or white in colour. The fungal infection is also characterized by changes in the shape and texture of the nail. Thus the keratin protein (of which the nail plate is madeof ) is digested by the fungus. Organic debris accumulates under the nail plate and this leads to discolouration of the nail. Other infectious organisms may also be included. If left untreated, the nail plate may separate from the nail bed and crumble off.
Onychogryposis
Typical for the disease is the claw-type nails because of the thickened nail plate. If you are struggling with the disease, your nail plate will curve inward, pinching the nail bed. The condition will get worse with time, and can also cause other infections and ingrown nails. Sometimes onychogryposis requires surgical intervention to relieve the pain.
And remember: when you notice the first symptoms of nail diseases, start to take measures before the situation becomes serious and complicated to manage.