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Common Nail Problems

Brittle Nails:

Brittle nails and flaking of nails are very common due to excessive dryness of the nail plate.The nail plate is made up of dead keratin cells held together by a natural glue of fats and water.Any loss of fats and water causes the cells to separate and results in flaking and brittleness of the nails.

• Many of our domestic chores remove the natural fats from the nails resulting in brittle nails, so do wear gloves.
• Nail polish removers also have a dehydrating effect.If you have brittle nails avoid removing your nail polish too frequently.You can use a colorless polish or a base-coat or a top-coat, because then you can keep touching it up quite happily, without having to use the remover very frequently.
• Regular massage around the nail-base with cream can have a good effect on brittle nails.

Hangnails:

Hangnails are tears in the skin of the nail folds and the cuticle.The cuticle and the nail folds have a tendency to stick to the nail plate as it grows forward; the stretched cuticle may eventually tear.Sometimes the skin of the nail folds also cracks, particularly if it is dry .Nervous nail biting habits, chewing nails, and picking the cuticle all encourage the developement of hangnails.

• To avoid such conditions, keep the cuticles soft by massaging in creams and regularly loosening it from the nail-plate.
• Clip off existing hangnails.
• Avoid pulling off slivers as this can be very painful and can even cause infection of the nail folds.

In-Growing Toe-Nails:

If the toenail is not cut properly, it penetrates into the nail-fold as it grows, causing redness, swelling and pain.

• Don't cut them too short.
• Don't ever cut down the side of the nail.
• Always follow the shape of the toe.
• Once the pain has started, try to push the nail-fold away from the sharp edge of the skin.

Fungal Infections Of The Nail :

When fungus infects the nails, they become thickened, broken and discoloured.Fungal infection can be easily treated- griseofulvin is given for milder infection and ketoconazole for more severe types-but let your doctor treat you.

• Lifting of the nail plate off the nail bed.
• Thickening of the nail plate.
• Crumbling of the nail plate.
• Discolouration, usually in streaks.
• Flaking and pitting of the nail plate surface.

Ridged nails

Ridges running either the length or width of the nail plate can have a number of causes, including:

• Age-related changes.
• Trauma to the nail matrix.
• Overzealous attention to the cuticles.
• Fever or illness.
• Eczema.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lichen planus infection.

Splitting nails

This condition is characterised by the splitting or layering of the nail plate as it grows off the nail bed. Common causes include:

• Having constantly wet hands, especially while using soap and washing detergents.
• Frequently using and removing nail polish.
• Continuous mild trauma such as habitual finger-tapping or using the nails.

Some diseases that can affect the shape, integrity and colour of the nails

• Eczema (dermatitis)
• Psoriasis
• Lung disease
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease.