Curvature of the nail plate - causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

• Causes of curvature of the nail plate
• Secondary causes of curvature of the nail plate
• Diagnosis of curvature of the nail plate
• Treatment of curvature of the nail plate
• Restoration and prevention of curvature of the nail plate

Healthy people have evenly shaped nails with a smooth and slightly convex surface. Curvature of the nail plate can be caused by various fungal diseases, injuries or pathologies. Also, there is a change in the color, shape and structure of the nail plate. The affected nail must be immediately shown to a specialist to diagnose the cause of the disease.

Causes of curvature of the nail plate

Healthy nails have a smooth, shiny, soft pink surface. If the nail plate becomes rough, growths or pits appear on it, the nail turns yellow, splits and breaks, all this may indicate diseases in the body.

The causes of curvature of the nail plate can be:

1. Diseases of internal organs.
2. Injury due to negligence.
3. Low hemoglobin levels and the development of anemia.
4. Strong medications (antibiotics) or a course of chemotherapy.
5. Genetic pathologies that lead to dystrophy of the nail surfaces.
6. Infectious diseases caused by fungi and bacteria.
7. Psoriasis.
8. Poor quality and uncomfortable shoes.

The first reason for the curvature of the nail plate is improper care. Untimely removal of dirt from under the nails or fanatical cleaning of them leads to damage to the skin of the fingers and the proliferation of bacteria, which results in the development of nail diseases.

Using household chemicals without protective equipment leads to deformation of the nail plate, since detergents and cleaning compounds can destroy its structure.

Fungal infections

Fungal infections are the most common and hold the lead among the causes that cause curvature of the nail plate on the fingers. When the first signs of nail fungus appear, it is necessary to urgently consult a specialist and receive qualified treatment, since self-therapy does not give effective results and often leads to the development and spread of the disease. It should be noted that curvature of the nail plate is not a sign of fungal infection.

The fungus not only causes deformation of the nail plate, but also provokes the formation of growths and thickenings on it. The surface of the nail becomes loose, flakes and peels, and as the disease progresses it turns yellow or black, and in advanced cases an unpleasant odor appears.

The development of pathology in the initial stages may be accompanied by peeling and redness of the skin around the infected nail. With early diagnosis, treatment is most effective, so curvature of the nail plate may not occur. From this it follows that nail deformation is a consequence of the long-term development of a fungal disease.

Injury

Mechanical damage can lead to curvature of the nail plate.

Trauma, cuts or other mechanical impacts cause deformation of the nail plate. Severe damage to the matrix and lunula can lead to peeling of the nail. Such injuries cause acute pain, and in some cases require the help of a surgeon. Injury to the nail plate on the hands can occur even during the process of performing a manicure due to incorrect and careless actions.

Psoriasis of the nail plate

One of the reasons for the curvature of the nail plate on the hands can be psoriasis. With this disease, the patient experiences nail detachment, discoloration, and damage to the surrounding skin. If psoriasis affects the toenails, then suppuration and thickening of the nail plates often form, and a characteristic striped pattern appears on their surface.

Onychotillomania

Onychotillomania is a mental disorder that is expressed in a person’s conscious desire to independently destroy the nail plate. This disease is often diagnosed in people with a psychopathic personality. With onychotillomania, a person is overcome by delusional ideas, as a result of which he injures his nails mechanically, trying to eliminate the microbes that are under them. To treat this type of curvature of the nail plate, you should seek help from a psychiatrist or psychotherapist.

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• Medical hardware pedicure
• How to strengthen peeling nails
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Nail diseases - symptoms

Symptoms of nail disease are visible to the naked eye. Therefore, they should pay special attention to:

1. nail color - white, yellow, green, gray, brown can be a symptom of the disease;
2. the shape of the nails - scapular, gonadal, tubular - is incompatible with the natural growth of the nail;
3. nail structure - longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves should attract attention;
4. general condition of nails – brittle, peeling;
5. condition of the skin around the nails - redness, swelling, bumps.

Secondary causes of curvature of the nail plate

A change in the color of the nail plate may indicate various diseases in the body:

• redness of the nail bed indicates heart problems and is a reason to visit a cardiologist;
• yellowness of the nail is characterized by lung disease;
• with a low level of hemoglobin in the blood, the nail surface is characterized by whiteness ;
• yellowness with a blue tint is a characteristic color for the nail surface of patients with diabetes;
• if there is a “pattern” of white spots , this indicates liver disease;
• in case of renal failure, white color occupies half of the nail , and the other half remains pink.

The cause of curvature of the nail plate on the hands may be the development of anemia. Low levels of iron in the body negatively affect the nails. Curvature of the nail plate on the big toes may indicate mental fatigue and emotional disorders. Also, deformations of the surface of the nails occur due to poor nutrition or changes in the dietary menu.

If there is excessive convexity of the nail, this may indicate diseases of the cardiovascular system. If its functioning is disrupted, the nail surface becomes bluish, often in combination with white spots. It should be noted that such symptoms may also indicate a lack of calcium in the body or a hormonal imbalance.

Curvature of the nail plate on the hands and feet must be shown to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Self-medication can be carried out only in cases where the cause of nail deformation is diagnosed, and therapy is not prescribed at the doctor’s discretion. This usually occurs with mechanical injuries. Then the defect can be polished with a nail buff and sealed with special glue to prevent the possibility of germs entering. If the causes of curvature of the nail plate on the hands are unknown, self-medication is unacceptable.

Read material on the topic: Medical hardware pedicure

The most common nail diseases

Nail candidiasis is a fungal disease of the nails that causes severe blackening, perigungual swelling and pain. Treatment is based on antifungal drugs.

Nail psoriasis occurs in combination with skin psoriasis and is an important part of the diagnosis of this disease. The nails become thickened, brittle, and have numerous transverse grooves and pinpoint cavities. In advanced forms of the disease, extensive onycholysis may develop.

Leukonychia is the so-called nail vitiligo, which appears as white spots. It is not a disease in itself, but can be a symptom of infection, ringworm, zinc and protein deficiencies, and kidney or heart failure.

Onycholysis is the separation of the stratum corneum from the finger. It appears gradually, starting from the edge of the nail. The nail becomes distorted and changes color to white, yellowish and even greenish. The causes of this disease can be mechanical damage, improperly performed care procedures, bacterial and fungal infections, harmful effects of chemicals, psoriasis or thyroid hormone disorders.

You can protect yourself from these diseases by following hygiene rules and choosing sterile beauty salons equipped with professional disinfection equipment.

Diagnosis of curvature of the nail plate

When you identify the first symptoms of curvature of the nail plate, you must consult a doctor for a diagnosis. You should consult a mycologist or podologist. If this is not possible, then consult a dermatologist. Often, during the initial examination, the doctor can determine the disease based on the appearance of the affected nail plate. However, for a complete diagnosis, the patient must undergo the following procedures:

• microscopic examination of the affected area;
• spectral analysis;
• blood diagnostics for the amount of vitamins contained.

Treatment of curvature of the nail plate

Treatment of curvatures of the nail plate directly depends on the cause of their occurrence, which means that there is not always a need for therapy:

• If the curvature of the nails on the big toes is caused by congenital dystrophy , therapy does not make sense. Here you need to take vitamins and take softening baths.
• If there is a lack of hemoglobin and poor circulation , drug therapy and daily foot massage for two weeks are prescribed to eliminate curvatures of the nail plate on the big toes.
• When infected with fungal spores, a diagnosis is made to determine the type of mycosis and treatment is prescribed using antifungal ointments, baths, and compresses.
• Post-traumatic changes in the nail. No therapy is required, as after some time the nail plate begins to grow correctly and the problem disappears.
• When the curvature of the nail plate is a consequence of psoriasis or eczema , the doctor treats the disease, and not its consequences.
• If the curvature of the nails on the big toes occurs due to flat feet , to obtain a positive result it is necessary to massage the feet and baths, as well as wear orthopedic shoes.
• Curvature of the nail plate as a result of poor nutrition. You need to contact a specialist and adjust your menu.

Read material on the topic: Removing an ingrown toenail and how to avoid it

Cracking

Nails crack as a result of excessive physical stress on the plates without a strengthening coating or due to physical trauma.

Other causes of cracking:

• Excessive length;
• Untimely correction of the shape and length of artificial plates;
• Sawing of the plate in the area of ​​the side rollers and fold lines, they do not withstand everyday loads;
• Very dry plates;
• Incorrect architecture for constructing artificial turf when building up.

In a salon setting, the specialist will correct the shape, length, architecture of the plate, and give advice on restoration if the crack has gone beyond the free edge. Correction usually consists of removing or filing the crack, followed by applying a reinforcing layer or building up a new artificial plate.

At home, use scissors or tongs to cut off the area with the crack and go over it with a nail file to remove sharp edges.

Restoration and prevention of curvature of the nail plate

To restore a deformed nail plate, you need to:

1. A varied and balanced diet.
2. Daily hygiene of hands and feet.
3. Mandatory daily change of socks, and in case of excessive sweating of the feet, use talc.
4. The use of vitamin complexes, which contain vitamins B1, A, H, E and trace elements (iron, sulfur and calcium).

5. Baths for hands and feet using cleansing scrubs and moisturizing oils.
6. Cut overgrown nails only in a semicircle, as straight cutting may cause the nail to grow into the skin.
7. Wear only comfortable and high-quality shoes.
8. Be sure to exercise daily to maintain immunity.
9. Avoid stressful situations and psychological shocks.

If the curvature of the nail plate is a consequence of injury, then you should contact a specialist for professional assistance and treatment. If a hematoma forms under the nail plate, you need to puncture it with a sterile needle and remove the liquid. Such procedures should definitely be carried out in medical institutions, but if this is not possible, you can do it yourself at home.

To prevent the appearance of curvature of the nail plate, precautions must be taken. Be sure to wash your hands and feet several times a day using special products. Avoid mechanical damage to nails. Manicure and pedicure procedures should be performed only with sterilized instruments. Choose shoes of the appropriate size and from quality materials. Wearing someone else's shoes is unacceptable.

If you have a question about the need to treat your nail plate, specialists from the Veronica Herba City Beauty and Health Center will help you in the shortest possible time.

There are two such centers in Moscow – near Timiryazevskaya metro station and Otradnoye metro station.