Healthy living
Body matters
What's wrong with your nails?
As well as helping us to pick up and manipulate objects, nails protect the tissues of the fingers and the toes.
However, they can also be a barometer of our health which explains why finger and toenail checks may be included in a GP's physical examination.
Below we list some of the changes to look out for and explain what you can do to keep your nails up to scratch. Horizontal grooves
Horizontal grooves
Fine lines running across your nails may indicate a recent illness which often slows nail growth, producing ridges in the nail root that are pushed outwards as the nail grows.
Solution: The ridges will grow out with time.
White spots
These are usually caused by a minor injury such as a knock to the matrix, the growing part of the nail, or on toenails by badly fitting shoes or a sports injury.
Solution: The spots will grow out with time.
Spoon-shaped nails
Misshapen nails that bend backwards can indicate an iron deficiency.
Solution: Eat plenty of iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, dark green vegetables, whole grains and nuts, especially almonds.
Pitting
Lots of pits the size of a pinhead on the nail surface can be the sign of a general skin disorder such as psoriasis or eczema and can occur with alopecia (hair loss).
Solution: Pitting should disappear once the underlying cause has been treated.
Pale nails
Anaemia can be the cause although a kidney or liver disorder may also be to blame.
Solution: Ask your doctor for advice. Once the underlying condition has been treated nail colour should return to normal.
Yellowing, discoloured nails
This often indicates a fungal infection (onychomycosis). It is most common in toenails and often follows on from athlete's foot.
The end of the nail separates from the nail bed and white, green, yellow or black matter builds up under the nail plate.
Solution: An oral anti fungal medication (terbanifine) is the most commonly prescribed treatment and is successful in around 85 per cent of cases, although it can take up to six months or more to work. Anti fungal creams are less successful as they can be difficult to apply under the nail.
Swelling
A swollen, throbbing area round the nail (paronychia) is usually the result of a bacterial infection entering the nail fold through a cut or break in the skin.
Solution: A course of antibiotics is the normal treatment.
Hangnails
These thin dry strips of skin that partly split off from the side of fingernails are usually caused by excessive dryness, a bad manicure, nail biting or a small injury.
Solution: Cut hangnails off near the base; resist the urge to pull them.
Split nails
These are usually a sign that your hands have been in water too much or that your washing up liquid is too harsh.
Solution: Wear gloves and go for regular manicures.
Black nails
Blood collects under your nail after an injury such as trapping your finger in a car door. The nail may separate from the nail bed and fall off but will regrow.
Solution: If blackness is not caused by injury or is still there after a week, see your doctor.
Ingrown toenails
These are caused when a nail (usually on the big toe) curves under on one or both sides and cuts into the surrounding skin, causing inflammation and sometimes infection.
Wearing badly fitting shoes that put pressure on the toenails from above and cutting toenails down their sides instead of straight across are the usual causes.
Solution: Consult your GP or chiropodist as soon as you notice an ingrown toenail to avoid infection.
Your doctor may suggest you have all or part of your toenail removed to stop it growing into the toe.
Nail those problems
- Keep nails clean and dry to stop bacteria and other infectious organisms from collecting under the tips.
- Wear gloves when washing up and gardening. Lining rubber gloves with cotton ones will stop moisture collecting, which can damage nails.
- If your toenails are thick and difficult to cut, try soaking them first in warm salty water for five to 10 minutes or cut them after a bath.
- Cut toe and finger nails straight across and rounded slightly at the top for maximum strength. Use sharp nail scissors or clippers.
- Always use hand cream after immersing nails in water.
- File nails regularly with an emery board, using the rough side to shorten and the smooth side to shape.
- Work upwards in one direction; sawing back and forth can weaken the nail layers causing them to split.
- Avoid metal nail files as they can make nails flake.
- To strengthen nails, supplement your diet with kelp, which is rich in silica, zinc and B vitamins.
Reader comments
what happens in the matrix of the fingernail?
Posted by: chloe | 13/11/2008 11:47:05
I had a problem with splitting and flaking nails for several years, despite always wearing rubber gloves for washing up etc. I tried all kinds of remedies, both professional and over-the-counter, but none worked. I now have strong, healthy nails. Last thing at night, I rub oil of evening primrose oil, from a pierced capsule, into my nails, then a good hand cream. In the morning, I rub in a cream containing beeswax and honey. I never use any type of varnish, as they all have a drying effect, even the ones meant to strengthen nails.
Posted by: Marian Welham | 07/11/2008 19:42:06
I have an extemely long thumb nail. I need to cut it off but it is so thick I know I will be grinding it for a bit. The problem is my nail is very painful right now. I have a black spot at the bottom, by the cuticle and a streak of white going up the side of my nail above the spot. The finger actually throbs at times. My nails are thicker than acryllic nails and I am diabetic. Is there something I can put on it to make the nail fall off? I don't remember every banging it.
Posted by: Lori | 12/08/2008 22:55:17
I have a black vertical line in my index finger. it doesn't hurt... it actually never hurts. It's not in any other finger....what is that?
Posted by: dom | 29/07/2008 22:05:15
I had a hang nail and i got it removed, and when it grew it grew half way up, deformed. is there any kind of pills or medication out there or should i remove it again to see what happens.
Posted by: m | 23/05/2008 11:17:15
ive gt a black line goin upwards iin my nail.what is the solution to that?
Posted by: anonymous | 15/04/2008 21:49:01
my thumb nail on my left hand has a line down it which is split at the top. whenever my nail grows i always have to cut it short because its split at the top it catches and pulls off and it is painful. this has been like this for several years but my middle finger-nail became the same but now its seems to be fine. Please can you help me with this situation because I find it hard to keep my nails tidy because my left hand always looks a mess.
Posted by: tracy machin | 26/03/2008 17:12:12
I am 4wks into a treatment for fungal toenail the doctor prescribed terbanifine i have suddenly broke out in hives could it be the terbanifine after 4wks? i know it can be a reaction to this drug but you would have thought it would have happened before now!
Posted by: janice walton | 09/03/2008 11:37:48
i have ms and i have noticed that a fe of my toe nails are going black any connection should i be concerned
Posted by: kenny | 13/02/2008 22:46:33
i observe a fine red lining near the tip of my nails. what does that indicate?
Posted by: ankur | 05/02/2008 19:31:42
My nails are splitting vertically and are very painful. I always wear gloves when washing up and have tried various nail hardining and cuticle preparations. Nothing works. Help please. vpl
Posted by: VPL | 10/11/2007 15:49:19
i have yellow nails, i was diagnosed with low iron several montha ago and prscribed iron pills for 3 months my nails are still yellow yet another blood test shows my iron level is normal ,how can i resolve my problem
Posted by: trish | 25/10/2007 23:16:31
I've recently started to notice tiny scratches on both fingernails and toenails. What's strange is that they appear to be happening in the absence of any noticeable contact that would normally cause a scratched nail. (Toenails are essentially covered in socks, shoes 5 days a week.) I've recently started applying Vaseline Healthy Nail and Hands as well as standard Vaseline, and first started to notice these symptoms after their use. Is this diet related, or tied to the product’s I’ve been using? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by: Anonymous | 04/08/2007 16:19:40
Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.
