Nails seem to be sturdy and strong. However, you should take good care of them because they can also be infected and harmed. Although nail diseases and problems are not as critical as illnesses concerning internal organs, you should not take them for granted. Aside from being ugly to look at, nail problems can be painful and difficult to heal. Furthermore, some nail conditions may be symptoms of other more serious diseases. So you need to be in the know about what is happening to your nails.
Here are some of nail diseases and infections that you need to look out for:
Brittle Nails
Frequent hand washing and exposure to chemicals, such as soaps, cleansers and others, could make your nails brittle and easy to chip. You will know that you are having trouble with brittle nails if you see vertical separation or splits on the edges of your nails. One way to strengthen your brittle nails is by massaging your nail bed and nails with oil or lotion that contains Vitamin E and Jojoba.
Hematoma
A lot of people have experienced stubbing their toes or trapping their fingers in doors. Aside from pain, you might find your nails darkening. This condition is called hematoma, which is brought about by trauma to the nail or nail plate. You cannot simply ignore this condition because this could lead to separation of the nail plate and nail infection.
Pterygium Inversum Unguis
If you see tissues or skin growing on the underside of your nails, you may be suffering from Pterygium Inversum Unguis. This nail problem may be hereditary, systemic or an allergic reaction to several things, including solvents, chemicals or acrylics. If you think that you have Pterygium Inversum Unguis, you should not try to remove it or push it back because doing so could be extremely painful. If you want to remove this problem, you might need to go to a doctor.
Pterygium
If you see tissue or skin forming over your nail plate, your condition is known as Pterygium. Trauma to the nail plate and deep cuts are the major causes of this problem. Sometimes, you may even find that your nail plate could not develop properly because of the scars and excess tissue outgrowths. If you want to prevent further damage caused by Pterygium, you need to put cortisone on the affected area. Again, do not try to remove the tissues by yourself. Ask a doctor to help treat your nails.
Koilonychia
One of the signs of iron deficiency anemia is Koilonychia. This condition is characterized by having raised ridges and certain concave-like bumps on your nail plate. Much like the other nail problems, you can really do nothing about it except by going to a physician to have it diagnosed and checked.
Onychauxis
Once you find that your nails are starting to get extremely thick, you should not take it lightly. More often not, this condition is caused by internal problems. So you better start heading to the doctor immediately.
Onychomycosis
If you see that your nail plate is separating and your nails are starting to get yellowish, you might be suffering from Onychomycosis or nail fungus. Small cuts and tears in your nail plate or cuticle should not be taken lightly because fungi spores could enter these small tears in your skin. If you let this nail problem persist, your other nails might get infected too.
Since nail fungus is one of the hardest nail conditions to eradicate, you may want to take a natural anti-fungal product that works double time in banishing fungi. Somasin is an anti-fungal system that helps eliminate infection both from inside your system and out on your nails for faster and safer relief. For more details, click on to http://www.somasin.com/
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About the Author
Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine. http://www.thearticleinsiders.com.
