Nails

                                                                     (नख, नाखून}

Your nails reflect your state of health

Sometimes one hears  complains like 'my nail just don't grow' or my nails grow very slowly. Remember that nails grow slowly in the cold season and faster when it gets warmer. Remember your nails, hair and skin are a reflexion of what's inside you. You must listen to it.

RIDDLE

                                              "बीसों का सिर काट लिया, ना मारा ना खून किया "

Answer is नाखून

Your nail tell you how healthy you are

Insufficient amount of proteins or vitamin A can slow down the rate of  nail growth.

Introduction

Nails aren't just a great site for body art. They offer a protective outer layer for your fingers and toes, and are even indicators to any underlying health problems. If you notice any sudden changes in your nails, it would be wise to consult a doctor. 

What you eat affects nails health. Years of poor nutrition(whether you've being eating too much are too little could leave your nails in a less than perfect shape. Most nail problem like split nails, brittle nails, white spot  on nail, blue nails can be caused by malnutrition., low  protein levels, thyroid disorders, anemia or any illness.

Nails grow about0.6 to 1.3 millimeters in a week. Insufficient amount of proteins or vitamin A can slow down the rate of nail growth. Taking some allopathic medicine can also do the same.

Here's what to watch for:

Leuconykia

Leuconykia

 The most common cause is injury to the base of the nail (the matrix)

Onychoschizia /Split or Peeling nails 

Brittle nail syndrome

The medical term for peeling or splitting fingernails is onychoschizia. Peeling nails can be the result of outside or external trauma to the nail. More rarely, they can indicate a systemic condition, or a sign that a pathologic process is occurring inside your body. It is a condition triggered by an iron deficiency. Charecterized by  fingernails separating from the nail bed and along with the ridging of the nail plate. It is called brittle nail syndrome. Be ware of it because it can lead to injury, infection or drug reactions.

Discolouration

Barring a few, occasional white spots which merely means injury to the nail bed, white or yellow spots on the nails are characteristics of a condition known as Terry's nails which could be a warning sign of liver disease, kidney failure or a heart disease. Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging.

Smoking makes your nails discolored, and they tend to look yellowish.

Discoloration of nails in smokers

Terry's Nail

Yellowing of the nails may indicate a fungal infection

Fungal Infection / discolouration Yellow discolouration

Psoriasis : 

Symptoms Of Nail Psoriasis:

Pitting: The hard surface that forms the top of the nails is called the nail plate. It is made of Keratin cells. In the case of nail psoriasis, the nail plate loses cells. This in turn results in small pits that form on your fingernails or your toenails. We must mention that the pits vary from one person to another.

Some individuals might have only a single pit on each nail, while some might have dozens of pits. These pits can either be shallow or deep.

Psoriasis of Finger Nail

 or a thyroid related disease.

While Green nails are often found in people who works in damp environments or  have a loose nail  bed, or have a loose nail bed.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Nails going blue could be your body's reaction to cold temperature or low oxygen levels in your red blood cells.

Bluish discolouration

Blue nails are signs of breathing problem. Discolouration is also caused by nail polish which contains formaldehyde, a preservative that has been identified as a human carcinogen by the international agency for research on cancer.

Unusual Texture

Vertical ridges

Vertical Ridges

Low levels of protein, zinc and iron cause this protein. If you have a low thyroid levels supplimentary with thyroxine would help. Consuming coriander juice regularly (made from 100 grams of coriander leaves(and adding lime juice to all your vegetables and salads could help and prevent an iron deficency.

A lack of B vitamins can cause vertical ridges to appear on nails.

If you have ever noticed a thick, curling overgrowth in your nails, it could be the side effect of diseases such Psoriasis or hystrix or lack of care.. While vertical nail ridges are mostly harmless, horizontal ridges (known Beau's lines) could indicate injury to the nail

Rounded nails/ Nail clubbing

Rounded nails which could indicate intestinal disorders, problem with the endocrine system or even lung cancer.

Beau's Lines
Nutritional deficiency, infection or high fever

Watch out for rounded nails which could indicate intestinal disorders. Problems with the endocrine system or even lung cancer.

Frequent usage of nail paint 

It causes discolouration of nails

Lines

atch

Split or Peeling Nails

atch

Brittle Nails

People with cold hands usually  have brittle nails showing poor circulation. A common cause of poor circulation is  an underactive thyroid or an iron deficiency. A low dose of thyroid hormone under medical supervision could be useful in correcting brittle nails if they suffer from hypothyroidism.

Brittle and  dry Nails

A shortage of calcium can cause nail to become brittle and dry.

Opaque White Bands/ Muehrcke's lines,

A lack of protein in your diet  can cause opaque white bands to appear on nails. White spots or streaks are normal and nothing to worry about. Parallel white lines that extend all the way across the nails, known as Muehrcke's lines, are a sign of low levels of protein in the blood. Muehrcke's lines are associated with renal failure and sickle cell anemia. Egg, fish most lentils and nuts such as Almond, walnut, sprouts will give you sufficient proteins and zinc.

Anemic

Pale while nail shows that the person is Anemic.

Anemic nails

White spots on nails  

Reflect a zinc and vitamin B6 deficiency

Leukonykia

Hangnails or Dried Skin Tags at the sides of your nails

This condition is quite common recurrent and painful. If not treated properly, your nail could get infected and become weak enough to come off the skin. This happens because of skin around  the nail has dried out. It could due to vitamin C deficiency or a under supply of folic acid and protein in your diet.. You could supplement with green leafy vegetables, as they are rich in foliates. 

Hangnail

Treatment

Apply some glycerine

                                                       

The main component of glycerine is a trihydroxy alcohol called glycerol, which is widely used in a variety of skin and hair products. It provides deep skin hydration to repair the skin barrier and accelerates wound healing. 

1 . Apply some glycerine

Thus, using this topical remedy regularly can help treat your hangnails. How to use:

1. You can buy glycerin-based hand lotions or use basic glycerin at home.
2. Don’t apply glycerine directly to the cuticle. Mix 3–4 drops of glycerine with a few drops of water.
3. Apply generous amounts to your nails and cuticles, especially after you wash your hands or take a bath.

2. Try using plant oils

                                                       

Hangnails are more common during winters due to the dry weather, which also makes your hands dry. In such a case, lightly massaging the torn cuticles with a warm oil can help reduce the pain, swelling, and redness at the site. 
Plant oils possess anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve these symptoms. Plus, they help repair the skin barrier by lubricating the site. 

                                            

Coconut oil

However, plant oils are extremely potent and can irritate or damage the skin further if used alone. What you need to do is mix a few drops of these oils in a carrier oil to dilute their consistency and harshness. 
Plant oils such as avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil, rosehip oil, almond oil, lavender oil, German chamomile oil, and shea butter work great for this remedy.

How to use:

1. Make a mixture of olive oil and almond oil.
2. Add a total of 25 drops of the various skin healing essential oils mentioned above or the ones available to you.
3. Break open a vitamin E capsule into the mixture. It helps repair and moisturize skin while also relieving the underlying inflammation.
4. Gently massage the mixture all over the affected area for an hour and then wash it off. You can also do this before your bath.
5. Store the extra mixture in a bottle and use it every day.

xxxxxxxxxx

3. Use honey, aloe vera gel, and turmeric powder

Honey, aloe vera gel, and turmeric powder are all wound-healing agents. Thus, this remedy can help speed up skin repair while also fighting infection-causing microbes. (6)

Advertisements

Plus, aloe and honey are deeply hydrating and can help lubricate and soothe the skin.

How to use:

1. Mix 1 teaspoon of freshly extracted aloe vera gel with a little bit of turmeric powder and honey.
2. Apply this mixture to the affected area.
3. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes and then gently rinse it off.
4. Do this daily until the wound heals.

Note: Simply applying fresh aloe vera gel to the hangnails regularly can help the skin heal faster and better.

4. Dab on some petroleum jelly

There are plenty of hand creams available on the market, but none of them offer the intensive hydration that petroleum jelly does. In fact, it is a must-have during the winter season and for those who work with water.

Another plus point is petroleum jelly is way cheaper than most commercial hand creams.

This thick lubricant also forms a protective layer over the exposed cuticle skin to block out germs and irritants. Thus, applying petroleum jelly all over the torn cuticles can help speed up their repair while protecting them from further injury or infection. (7)

How to use:

Gently massage a little petroleum jelly into the cuticles, two times a day until the skin heals.

Advertisements

5. Apply beeswax

Beeswax exhibits antimicrobial properties when used alone or with other natural ingredients, and there is enough scientific evidence to support this claim. Thus, it will help protect the skin from infections by killing any germs at the site.

Plus, its thick, viscous, and sticky texture will cover the exposed skin to ward off external irritants and infectious microbes. (8)

Other ingredients used in this remedy are coconut oil, almond oil, and honey, all of which help lubricate the skin and promote healing.

How to use:

1. Pour 2 teaspoons of coconut oil and almond oil, 3 teaspoons of honey, and 3 tablespoons of beeswax into a bowl.
2. Heat the bowl in a microwave or double boiler until all the ingredients melt and blend.
3. Mix in a few drops of essential oils such as tea tree, peppermint, lavender, or plantain essential oil for extra healing and soothing effects.
4. Gently massage this mixture on your nails and cuticles at bedtime and leave it overnight. You can even wear gloves to avoid spillage during sleep.
5. Do this daily until the wound heals. If you are up to it, you can make this remedy part of your regular nighttime skin care.

What Causes Hangnails?

The skin surrounding your nail plate is slightly elevated but still attached to the skin base. This raised skin can easily get pulled from the base if it gets caught in something.

This trauma injury will be followed by inflammation and pain at the site. (3) If you have dry hands, the skin will be less elastic and soft and, therefore, stick out of the corners of the nail. Thus, physical trauma and skin dryness are the main culprits behind hangnails.

Some of the things that can make you develop multiple hangnails on different fingers of one or both hands include the following:

Advertisements

• Nail biting can damage the skin surrounding your nail cuticles.
• A poorly done manicure can damage the skin around your nails.
• Frequent exposure to harsh chemical-containing soaps and detergents can strip the moisture from your hands, making the skin around your nails quite dry and prone to injury.
• The cold and arid winter months can make your hands excessively dry. (9)
• Keeping your hands immersed in water for too long or washing them frequently can dry out their skin and increase the risk of hangnails. (9)

How Can Hangnails Be Prevented?

Here are some dos and don’ts to protect your hangnails from further damage, prevent infection, and promote skin healing:

1. Don’t pluck out the hangnail with your teeth or fingers as it can rupture the surrounding skin and cause severe injury. Instead, use a pair of sharp and sanitized scissors or clippers to smoothly cut off the hangnail, leaving behind no jagged edges and causing no skin damage. This is the first-line treatment for hangnails. (1)
2. Don’t touch the hangnail with unwashed hands as your fingers carry a lot of grime and germs that can infect the wound.
3. Moisturize your cuticles several times throughout the day with a suitable hand lotion or cream.
4. Always wear gloves when using hard water or harsh detergents.
5. Another useful method is to use surgical glue to stick the torn-out portion of the skin to the nail fold so that it does not tear further. As the skin heals, this jagged portion will dry out and eventually detach from the healthy skin to fall off automatically. This intervention yielded good results for many patients. (9)

Difference Between Hangnails and Ingrown Nails

                                        

Hangnails refer to pointed slivers of skin that stick out of the edges of the nail plate, whereas ingrown nails occur when the nail grows inward, piercing the surrounding flesh and causing a lot of pain.

Hangnails usually affect the fingertips, whereas ingrown nails mostly affect the big toe.

Advertisements

Complications Associated With Hangnails

If the hangnail gets stripped from the skin, the area around the nail will hurt and become inflamed. You may notice swelling and redness at the site.

The removal of the protective outer layer of the skin will make the exposed site more susceptible to infections. The most obvious sign of infection is pus formation.