Fingernail Problems

Most of us tend to ignore our fingernails and consider them unimportant. We do not make an effort to care for our fingernails like we do for our face and hair and other body parts. This kind of ignorance towards fingernail care can lead to over 50 different types of fingernail growth problems and fingernail health problems. These problems can also result from illness or can even be indicative of a serious underlying medical condition. Some fingernail problems may be mild and can be cured with some care and self-help techniques while some may be severe and may also need medication. Let us have a look at the causes of fingernail problems.

What Causes Fingernail Problems?

The most common and mild fingernail problems are caused due to the lack of proper care, cleanliness and hygiene of the fingernails. Lack of adequate nutrition is another important reason for the development of fingernail problems. Other causes of fingernail problems include certain medical conditions like anemia, heart diseases, lung diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, etc. Trauma or injuries to the nail bed or to the skin around the nails due to nail biting or chronic picking are also the causes of fingernail problems. Listed below are some of the fingernail problems.

Common Fingernail Problems

Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomycosis): This type of fungal nail infection is caused by various fungi and yeast. Nail fungus infections account for almost half of all the nail disorders.

Bacterial Nail Infection (Paronychia): This nail infection is characterized by the inflammation of the skin around the nail bed, known as the proximal nail fold. The inflammation may be acute one or chronic in nature. The prime cause for this is over and prolonged exposure to moisture.

Beau's Lines: This condition of the fingernail is characterized by depressions, mostly horizontal, in the nail plate. These depressions run parallel to the lunula and are caused due to trauma or illness due to which there is a disturbance in the synthesis of keratin. The depressions tend to disappear as the nail grows.

Melanonychia: This is a fingernail condition characterized by vertical lines that are often pigmented. These are dark pigmentations, also known as nail moles and need medical treatment to cure them completely.

Psoriasis: This is a common skin disorder and can affect the fingernails as well. It is characterized by rough, scaly and dry fingernails due to which the fingernails start chipping off from the nail bed itself.

Brittle Nails: This probably might be the most common fingernail problem, characterized by splitting and peeling of the nails and separation of the layers of the nail plate. This happens due to the depletion of natural oils and moisture from the nail bed and the nail plate. This condition of the fingernails is caused due to the use of household cleaning solutions, harsh soaps and shampoos.

Pterygium: This fingernail problem is characterized by the advancement of the skin around the nails towards the inside of the nails. This condition needs immediate medical attention and treatment.

Herpetic Whitlow: Also known as finger herpes or hand herpes, this fingernail condition is caused due to a viral infection and can cause some amount of pain. It is characterized by sore blisters around the nails and on the fingers and may be recurring in nature. It is also a highly contagious condition and can spread to other parts of the body as well.

Ridges: This is also a very common fingernail problem, characterized by the formation of vertical lines on the nail plate, due to the loss of natural oils or lack of moisture.

White Spots (Leuconychia): This nail condition might be observed by most of us. This condition is caused due to some air bubbles that may be trapped below the nail plate. It may be indicative of iron deficiency, anemia or Hodgkin's disease.

Since fingernails are indicative of underlying illnesses and also of your overall health and wellness, they must be taken care of well. Follow a nail care regimen, clean your fingernails regularly and keep them dry. Manicures can also help maintain fingernail health and can prevent the various fingernail problems.