You may not know, but nails are an extension of the skin, just like hair. They play an essential role in protecting the phalanges (last bone of the fingers) and the functionality of the hands and feet. It may not seem like it, but they help catch and manipulate small objects and improve the touch. In addition, they still perform an aesthetic function.
“The nails serve as a defense layer for the fingertips, which are very sensitive areas and rich in nerve endings. In addition, they help us in daily tasks, such as holding objects, scratching and even providing more firmness to touch,” explains dermatologist Andrey Maliclati, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein.
But its importance goes beyond functionality and aesthetics. The state of nails may reflect the overall health of the body. Surface, color, thickness and texture changes, for example, may indicate lack of vitamins or systemic diseases such as infections and even cancer.
This is why it is essential to be aware of any change in the appearance of nails. Check out some of the aspects that should be observed:
1. Surface changes
This is the most common complaint in dermatologists’ offices, usually described vaguely as weak, brittle, rough nails or stripping . “Aesthetic changes are what normally take the patient to the office. They are unlikely to cause pain or some other symptom. Most of the time, the patient seeks a doctor when he realizes that nails are ugly,” says Malladlecti.
According to the doctor, several causes can lead to these changes, among them, aging itself. “Just as the skin ages and develops wrinkles over the years, nails too, and can get weaker and rough. This is part of the natural process of aging,” he says.
However, numerous other conditions may affect the surface of nails, such as peripheral artery disease (varicose veins and vascular problems), endocrine disorders (thyroid alterations or decominate diabetes), iron deficiency anemia, dermatological diseases (psoriasis and allergic dermatitis) and even gestation may influence nutrients to baby.
“Nails may have changes without this means a health problem, but they can also show something more serious, that deserves appropriate diagnosis and treatment,” warns the doctor.
Occupational factors also need to be taken into consideration when someone complains of nail changes. During clinical evaluation, you need to understand more about the patient’s routine, with what this person works, if he has a lot of contact with water or chemicals, for example.
Athletes, such as runners or tennis players, have more risk of foot changes because of the friction of the footwear and greater possibility of undergoing physical trauma. People who usually take the cuticle in the manicure are also more likely to have the problem. “The cuticle exists to protect the nail blade. When going to the manicure and removing the cuticle every week, small trauma can be caused in the nail matrix and generate a defective blade,” warns Malladlecti.
Some medications can also cause these changes, such as retinoids and chemotherapy. “When the patient arrives at the office with this complaint, he claims to be a lack of vitamin. This may even be the source of the problem, but we cannot limit ourselves to this. There are several other causes with greater gravity and relevance. So it is so important to investigate the complaint well. Many times, treatment does not involve any medicine, just adjustments in routine and life habits,” says Malladlastiti.
2. Color changes
White spots may be a natural characteristic of the person or result from excessive use of nail polish for nail recovery, which can lead to dehydration of the nail blade. “Nails need hydration. Continuous use of enamels can dry them out, resulting in the appearance of white spots,” says Malladlecti, who recommends pause periods between enamel.
Reddish and purple spots can also be the famous “stepped blood”, which can occur by small trauma that generate bleeding outbreaks below the nail blade without further repercussions.
Already brown, gray or black stains can be a sign of skin cancer, such as subungaal melanoma. Although most dark changes are benign, it is essential to seek a dermatologist when noticing any color change. “It can be just a nail spot, or even common pigmentation of darker skin. But it is important to look for the dermatologist for a more detailed analysis that differentiates a benign lesion from skin cancer,” he says.
In addition to melanoma, several other tumors can affect nails, such as carcinomas, fibromas and granulomas – but in such cases without causing changes in color. “An important point is that the changes caused by tumors usually affect only one nail, while systemic problems usually reach several at the same time,” points out the dermatologist. Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the lesion, and cancer follow -up may be required.
3. Detachment
Nail detachment can have several causes, including trauma, fungal infections, chemical allergies or systemic diseases. According to Mallaxiferm, the main origin of this problem is ringworm (onychomycosis), which takes advantage of small detachments (by sports, for example) to settle. The detachment usually begins at the free edge of the nail and, if not treated, can spread and reach the entire nail blade.
4.
The nails are thicker, hardened and material accumulation (like a play dough) underneath. One of the main causes is also ringworm, which initially causes detachment and, over time, leads to thickening and accumulation of keratin below the nail.
Treatment includes decreasing nail thickness through sanding to allow antifungal drugs to penetrate in the region. “Often, patients take years to seek the dermatologist. The more time passes, the more altered the nails and the more difficult the treatment becomes.”
Infections damage
In addition to these four changes, nails can also be affected by infections caused by bacteria or viruses. They can cause changes in color, thickening, detachment and pain.
Fungal infections are the most common, while bacterial (such as Paronia) can cause redness, swelling and even pus formation around the nail. HPV (human papillomavirus) infections may result in the appearance of warts around the nails. Treatment varies according to the cause, and it is essential to seek medical advice when noticing any changes.
This content was originally published in weak, brittle or thick nails can indicate health problems on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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