Nail Diseases Disorders and Conditions
Your eyes may be the window to your soul, but your nails are the windows to your health. Nail diseases may indicate other health issues. If you have underlying health problems, nail conditions or diseases may often tell you about them. There are some types of nail diseases that tell you it may be time to visit your doctor and get a thorough checkup done.
Here are 5 Types of Nail Diseases that you should never ignore
1. Yellow Nail Syndrome
In this nail disease, your nails suffer from an extremely slow growth rate, get thickened and take on a yellowish color. The syndrome causes your nails to lose their cuticles and at different places, the nail can get detached from the underlying nail bed. If you have yellow nail syndrome, you could be suffering from a respiratory disease or lymphedema of the hands.
2. Pits in the Nails
As hard as you try and mask the small depressions on your nails with polish, you will not succeed. Usually, nail pitting is common among those suffering from psoriasis. However, it also can be a sign of having disorder-related to connective tissue or alopecia areata. If you notice pits in your nails, make it a point to visit your doctor immediately.
3. Clubbed Nails
If you notice your fingertips enlarging and your nails curving around the tips, you have a condition called nail clubbing or clubbed nails. This nail disease develops over a period of time and usually is associated with low oxygen levels in the blood. Hence, if you have some type of lung disease, you could develop clubbed nails. The condition also is associated with liver disease, IBS, cardiovascular disease and AIDS.
4. Koilonychia
Also known as spoon nails, Koilonychia causes the nails to get extremely soft and develop a scooped out appearance. The depression in the nails is quite big, sufficient to hold a drop of water. It can develop due to hemochromatosis, a condition wherein your body absorbs too much iron or Koilonychia can be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Spoon nails also are indicative of hypothyroidism and heart disease.
5. Onychomycosis
While all nail diseases refer to some underlying health problem, onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail. You have a greater risk of getting nail fungus if you suffer from diabetes, cancer, AIDS or advancing age. Toenail fungus is more common than fingernail fungus, as toes are often enclosed in shoes that do not allow airflow. Onychomycosis causes your nail to discolor, become brittle and thick. As the infection progresses, it becomes extremely painful when your shoes exert pressure on the nails. Toenail fungus can hinder your ability to walk, stand and exercise. Thankfully, this nail disease can easily be treated with laser treatment, which has a high rate of success.
Your nails are your asset. When they are healthy and clear, they showcase your hands and feet in a beautiful manner. On the other hand, when nail diseases beset your nails, the beauty of your hands and feet get marred. So, if you notice anything different or strange about your nails, don’t ignore it. Visit a doctor right away. You could be suffering from one of these nail diseases or a serious health problem.