There is much more to having healthy, strong nails than aesthetics. Your general health and well-being can be revealed by the appearance and feel of your nails. If you’re curious about the significance of the stains or lines on your nails.
Nails with White Lines
It’s not dangerous if your nails have white patches, streaks, or very fine white lines. However, some white lines can be problematic.
Read also: Causes Of Yellow Nails And How To Treat Them
The Mee Lines:
White bands that trace the lunula’s outline (half moon). The most common cause is arsenic poisoning, however, there are numerous other possible medical causes, such as specific vitamin deficits and infections.
The lines of Beau
a horizontal depression in the nail plate brought on by the nail’s development being halted as a result of disease, fever, or trauma.
What Does Discoloration Cracks And Lines On Your Nails Mean
Shadows on the Nails
Dark brown or black stripes running the length of the nail could be moles, freckles, or benign pigmentation. Splinter haemorrhages, for instance, are black, lengthwise streaks that resemble splinters but are typically brought on by trauma. The pigmentation can therefore be a melanoma of the nail, which most frequently affects the thumb, index finger, and big toenail even though it is typically nothing. Consult a dermatologist if you notice a single brown or black band of pigment on a single nail or if you notice a ring of brown pigment around the nail, as these could be signs of skin cancer.
Onycholysis (Nail Separating From the Bed)
Those manicures you get at home can be more harmful than helpful. When your nails start to come away from the nail bed, you should stop forcefully cleaning below them. There are other options? Trauma (such as skiing, tennis, or hiking) or certain illnesses (such as psoriasis),
How to Treat:
Keep the nail clipped short and avoid applying nail paint, filing, or other cosmetic treatments for a few weeks. Avoid soaking the nails in water to keep them healthy and dry.
Onychauxis (Thickening of the Nails)
As we age, our nails get thicker. And while many people might assume that a thick nail indicates the presence of fungus, thick and malformed nails can develop over time from repeated friction on the nail. In actuality, only 50% of toenails that appear “abnormal” are actually fungal. The key is proper diagnosis.
Bruised Nails
Thin, cracked and split nails all belong to the same family. It is all too common to experience brittleness, and sadly, there is a wide range of potential explanations. Age, genetics, and anything that stresses the nails over time all has a significant impact.
This might be because of:
- Exposure to chemicals, such as those in dish soap and nail polish remover, in excess.
- Water. “Nails are significantly more water-absorbent than the skin, and prolonged exposure to water can be severely damaging to the fragile nails.
- A few medical conditions: protein shortage, Raynaud’s disease, and hypothyroidism. In these situations, the nail quality typically changes abruptly.
How to Deal With:
- When performing domestic tasks like dishwashing, put on gloves.
- Avoid using alcohol-based hand sanitisers excessively.
- Use a non-acetone nail polish remover to remove nail polish no more frequently than once a week.
A Nail Problem
orange nails? Looks discoloured? The culprit is usually your nail polish! However, stains from henna, cigarettes, or self-tanning creams can also cause nails to change colour. Yellow nail condition is a potential non-cosmetic cause. When the thick, yellow/green nails associated with yellow nail syndrome are present, a trip to the doctor is necessary.
How to Deal With:
Hydrogen peroxide can be diluted and used to brighten nail polish stains. One-half cup of water and three to four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide should be thoroughly mixed. Spend two minutes soaking your nails in the solution. Your nails should be scrubbed softly with a toothbrush. Next, give them a water rinse. If necessary, repeat two or three times per week.
Read also: How To Stop Your Nails From Chipping Off