Your nails, just like your hair and superficial skin layers, are formed by keratin. Fingernails protect the sensitive tips of your fingers from accidental trauma. These are formed by the layer of germinal tissue, known as the nail matrix, which can be found at the base of the nail, or hidden under the skin fold. A component of the nail bed, the nail matrix provides nourishment and support to the nail plate. It is part of the nail bed which supports and nourishes the nail plate. Here, we will discuss about some of the common nail diseases that people suffer from, and how to save on their treatment costs, along with other diseases.
Some of the common nail diseases include:
Nail discoloration
The normal nail is pale pink in color. Your nail can become discolored due to many reasons such as smoking, use of hair dyes on the nails, injury of the nail bed, infection of the nail bed, and renal failure in which it will become half-and-half.
Ingrown nails
This condition is characterized by nails growing into the skin at the sides of your nails. You will feel pain, and your nails become predisposed to infection.
Nail splitting
Your nail will flake into layers as it grows. This may occur due to the constant application and removal of nail polish, overuse of the fingernails, and constant exposure to water.
Nail ridges
The longitudinal ridges of your nails will run down the nail. The condition may occur due to many systematic conditions, such as aging, eczema, trauma, malnutrition, severe anemia, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Nail thickening
Thickening of the toenails due to aging is normal, but an abnormal thickening of nails may occur due to many reasons such as injury, fungal infection, tight shoes, arthritis, psoriasis, and abnormal gait.
Brittle splitting nails
This condition can cause brittle, soft, splitting, or thin nails. Your nails will break easily. The common cause of brittle nails includes repeated wetting and drying of nails. Less common reasons for brittle nails include iron deficiency, or some underlying illness.
Nail psoriasis
The disease can cause your nails to dent or crumble. Symptoms of nails psoriasis include the change in color to yellow or brown, a build-up of skin under the nails, blood under the nails, or the nail separating from the bed. The condition commonly occurs in the individuals when psoriasis affects the skin of the nail bed, or near the nail bed.
Onycholysis
Onycholysis is when your toe or fingernail painlessly separates from the nail bed. Over time, the problem gradually worsens. It could result from some underlying health condition or injury. The condition can result in discoloration of the nail, turning it to green, yellow, or even opaque. This can also result in nail pitting, nail bending at the edges, or nail thickening.