What is a damaged nail? Well, if you bear cracking, flaking, splitting or peeling then, they damaged. This is usually an unnerving embarrassment that almost everyone can’t withstand. However, this condition can be easily fixed even at home. Join us here to explore the most insightful information about the causes, symptoms, ways to repair damaged nails and much more on toe or fingernail problems as a whole.
There are several factors that can contribute to this problem and this is why your nails say a lot about your health. Hindustantimes.com explains that, “our nail condition can give you important warnings about your health. Certain shapes, colors and sizes of nails are actually tell-tale signs of an underlying disease that you might be suffering from.” It is unfortunate that the damage may be permanent and in this case, they will grow abnormally forever.
What can damage your nails – causes
This problem has a number of possible causes. Read on to explore these causes and see how to avoid them.
Infections- fungal, bacterial and viral infections
The common cause is the infections and commonly these are fungal nail infection (most common) and bacterial infections. Fungal infections can lead to separation of nail plates. They will begin thickening and will gradually start to appear whitish or cloudy yellow. On the other hand, a bacterial infection can also damage them.
When there is an overgrowth of bacteria called pseudomonas, the nails will turn greenish-black and this is what we usually referred to as hyperpigmentation.
There are viral infections called warts that can lead to deformity. See this, the wart can potentially deform its shape or affect the ingrown skin under your nails.
There are many signs that can appear alongside infections that will reveal the damaged including loss of nails.
Hereditary conditions
A deformed nail can also be a genetic problem. It can run in family that is to say if your parents had deformed ones then you are also likely to suffer the same. Alternatively, nail problems can also be due to conditions influenced by genetics.
Underlying diseases
There are many diseases that can lead to this problem. They can limit the oxygen level in the blood, lead to toxin build-up among other terrible effects. Here is a comprehensive list of diseases that can lead to damage:
- Kidney disease
- Lung diseases
- Thyroid disease
- Severe illness or surgery usually leads to horizontal depression
- Hutchinson sign
- Wilson`s Disease
- Melanoma
All the above diseases have their own style of how they can trigger damage. Some limit the level of blood oxygen (or poor body blood circulation), some lead to body dehydration while others lead to hormonal shifts. All of these factors are capable of causing damage.
Physical nail injury
Physical injury an easily damage it and this can even cause permanent nail deformity. There are many types injury but the damage will depend on the intensity of the physical injury. Usually, you will find people injuring the fingers and toe tip and the common damaged places include nail root or bed. This will definitely cause abnormal growth with ugly shapes.
Chronic picking or rubbing of that skin behind it can also lead bed injury. This will lead to a condition called nail dystrophy. Prolonged exposure to moisture or nail polish is another unfortunate cause.
Dehydration or dry nails
Usually, dehydration can cause that are are prone to peeling, cracking or scaling. This is due to insufficient moisture or due to a disorder causing general body infection. Other causes of dryness include exposure to harsh weather conditions. You should moisturize both toenail and fingernail to escape this menace.
Certain medication
Certain medication can also be blamed for deformation. Some medication usually emerges certain side effects that can lead to this problem. They can shift the balance of certain crucial body hormones and this can lead to damage may be due to disturbed nail growth.
Skin conditions-psoriasis, warts, lichen planus among others
There are also certain skin conditions that can lead to this problem. Skin conditions such as psoriasis can lead to detached nails. Lichen planus, a chronic itchy rash usually affects the skin under them and can damage them. There are more skin conditions that can also lead to the same worry. There are many treatments out there that can treat many skin conditions. See your doctor over the same.
Nutritional insufficiency – iron
This damage can also be due to lack of certain food nutrients. Lack of iron or anemia can lead to spoon-shaped nails or a condition called koilonychia. Accumulation of iron or nitrogen waste can also cause this problem. Severe protein deficiency can also lead to damage too. So the best solution is to consult your nutritionist to get the best advice about the good diet for healthy nails and entire body health.
Extreme weather conditions
Weather can as well lead to damage in two scopes. First, it can cause dryness and thus they will be vulnerable to peeling, cracking or splitting. On the other side, it can trigger certain skin condition that can affect the skin behind them where they originate and this will lead to deformed growth. Avoid too much or too less moisture but rather maintain the optimum moisture balance.
Poisons
There are also substances the medical experts consider body poisons and can potentially damage the nails. Arsenic poisoning can lead to horizontal ridges with white lines. If they turn blue then this can also be a symptom of silver intake. You must see your doctor for further knowledge on body poisons.
In addition to the above causes, the disorder can also be due to aging. As you age, the body balance usually changes and your skin, therefore, become prone to many skin conditions such as dryness that can result to damage. Nail chewing is another cause. This can be a symptom of a compulsive disorder.
Symptoms
The damage is usually visible to the owner and is a source of great panic and embarrassment especially when you present yourself to the public. The symptoms in our case will basically depend on the causes. Some can be very extreme to an extent of losing the whole nail. If you have this problem then you can have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Peeling, flaking, cracking, splitting or there may be chalkiness and fragility
- Formation of transverse lines on nails
- Pitted nails
- Formation of longitudinal or accentuated ridges
- Hyperpigmentations or discoloration
- Brittleness
- Clubbing
- A new or dark streak in the nails
- Detached nails from their beds or damaged bed.
- Minor or severe cut through them, bed or the cuticle
- They may lack shiner a condition called onycholysis
- Blue nails condition
- Thicker nails plates
- Terry’s nail condition
- White color under nails
- Totally plain ones
Nail repair and treatment
Many conditions that cause the damage can be effectively treated using home solutions, prescribed treatment or a mixture of both. This will be possible following a successful diagnosis since the underlying cause will have been properly unveiled. Let us now explore the following treatment options.
Medications
Medical treatments will definitely depend on the causes as well as the severity of the symptoms. In cases of infections, bacterial, fungal and viral medications can be applied. Oral and topical antibiotics can be as well preferred by your doctor. Biotins or nutrients supplements can be taken to correct the disorder too. There are more medical options that your doctor or dermatologist will prescribe to treat respective conditions or diseases that can lead to the damage. See your doctor when you can’t repair damaged nails at home.
Home remedies or natural treatment
Hoe remedies for damaged nails are home ingredients or steps that can be applied to prevent, relieve repair damaged nails. Remember many damages have been easily fixed at home. Here are the tried and proved home procedures:
- You should moisturize your nails using essential oils such as olive, coconut oil or lavender oil. Even aloe vera can be used to moisturize them. Take the mentioned ingredients and soak them in them and see the results. Vegetable oils are also formed best brittle nail treatment to prevent cracking and drying one.
- You should also soothe the nail cuticles using doctor`s prescribed creams. A good example if Burt`s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Crème. This has vitamin E ingredient that helps nourish dry and brittle cuticles.
- You should consult your nutritionist for good diet help cater for nutritional deficiencies. There is food rich in biotin that can also act as a good therapy. A good diet will also do away with anemia or accumulation of iron the can be a source of panic.
- Good care is also another key point. You should keep them well-trimmed to avoid drying or cracking. You should also wear gloves while washing dishes, gardening or cleaning. Detergents or soaps that can dry them out should also be avoided.
- Lastly, you should talk to your doctor or dermatologist about whether your brittle or dry nails is a sign of more severe health condition. He/she will prescribe effective treatment for conditions you can’t handle at home.
Conclusion
This is a common plague too many people daily. The causes can easily be managed at home but take this from me, when the symptoms of nail damage become chronic or aggravates besides applying home treatments or over-the-counter therapies then, you should immediately see your doctor. This can be a condition of a serious underlying medical condition.
