If you're concerned about the appearance of your nails, see your doctor or a dermatologist. Bruised nails. Accessed Nov. 19, 2017. Ingrown toenails. For information on nail problems not listed here, please refer to the links at the bottom of this page. Specific types of nail discoloration and changes in growth rate can be signs of lung, heart, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as diabetes and anemia. Do you know what a normal nail should look like or do have an infection or disorder and are not sure yet. Healthy nails are usually smooth and consistent in color. Nail pitting can also be related to connective tissue disorders, such as Reiter's syndrome, and alopecia areata â an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. This helps differentiate it from other nail-related conditions in terms of it⦠Nail diseases vary in etiology and morphology. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Habif TP. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. Though nail changes accompany many conditions, these changes are rarely the first sign. Identify disorder, refer to physician. Nail problems aren't usually caused by anything serious. ⦠These disorders may be isolated to the nail unit itself or be part of a larger systemic disease that may present first, or only, in the nail unit. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter. Puffy, Red Nail Fold. Pink or red nails may suggest polycythemia, SLE, carbon monoxide poisoning (cherry red), angiomas, or malnutrition. © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. Nail diseases and deformities are generally called onychosis. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special - 40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online. Accessed Nov. 19, 2017. Reviewed by Debra One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. The nail fold is the skin at the base of the nail where your nail grows from; itâs ⦠This content does not have an English version. â Dry, pale, and cool skin. And many nail abnormalities are harmless -- not everyone with white nails has hepatitis. Common causes of fingernail or toenail changes include trauma, aging, infection, and skin diseases. (10) Copyright Interactive Medical Media LLC brittle nails. Nail diseases include conditions leading to nail deformities, infections, inflammation and breakage of nails. Nail Diseases, Disorders and Conditions ⢠Onychosis â Any nail disease ⢠Etiology â Cause of nail disease, disorder or condition. Cosmetically cover the nail if no medical treatment necessary. If a nail starts to lift up so that itâs no longer completely ⦠This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails. Biting your nails may be nothing more than an old habit, but in some cases it's a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. White Nails. For example, ice pick-like depressions in the nails (nail pitting) are common in people who have psoriasis â a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin. Onychogryphosis. â Dry skin with ⦠It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder. In: Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. See pictures of ⦠Infection can also cause redness and inflammation of the nail fold. 6th ed. The nail folds are the folds of hard skin at the sides of the nail plate where the nail and the skin meet. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. View our slideshows to learn more about your health. Did you know that your fingernails can provide clues to your overall health? 20 Splinter hemorrhages Nail pitting can also be related to connective tissue disorders, such as Reiter's syndrome, and alopecia areata — an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. If you can't stop, it's worth discussing with your doctor. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Roughly half of these streaks are brown, blue, or black, while the other half are non-pigmented. Beau's lines are indentations that run across the nails. Common nail problems include brittle, loose nails that may change colour or shape. May 27, 2015 - Images about Nail Diseases. Take up the quiz below and get to see how much you understand these disorders and how one can live or deal with them. As cancer progresses, more streaks may appear, often with different colors. Jaliman, MD on June 02, 2020, (1) John Howard / Digital Vision / Getty Images A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Split or cracked nails. It's normal for nails to: become thicker or break more easily (brittle) as you get older It has also occurred in argyria and in patients taking medications like 5-fluorouracil and azidothymidine. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Nail changes are additional important criteria, which would help in identification of these systemic diseases. Background: Onychomycosis is the most common nail disorder, affecting 2%-13% of Americans. Brittle splitting nails. Very pale nails can sometimes be a sign of serious illness, such as: If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. The following list contains the more common nail irregularities, diseases and disorders. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A combination of splitting and cracking nails can be due to a fungal infection. Medically Reviewed on 06/02/2020
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