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White stripes on the nails are one of the most common diseases of the nail plates of the hands and feet.
We are used to not going to medical institutions unless something starts to hurt us. But this does not mean at all that we are healthy. Our body sends us various signals about the state of our health. White horizontal or vertical stripes on the nails are the first signal that we need to act if we want to feel good. A seemingly insignificant problem can cause a lot of trouble in the future.
Reasons for the appearance of white stripes
Leukonychia can be divided into two types: true and false. In the first case, white stripes appear due to disturbances in the nail matrix. But often a person has false leukonychia, which is caused by certain disorders or diseases. If white stripes appear on your nails, then you should visit a doctor and undergo a comprehensive examination. It is very important to find the cause of these changes .
The main reason may be a disruption in the process of nail keratization. This may mean that microscopic air layers have formed under the layers of water and lipids, which is exactly what we see under the nail of the thumb and the rest in the form of dashes and spots. In fact, keratinized tissues lack white pigment.
There are two types of leukonychia based on their prevalence. In the case of a limited process, partial disruption of keratinization may appear on several fingers. And with a total process, all nails are affected.
The causes of false leukonychia can be very different:
- hypervitaminosis and hypovitaminosis;
- lack of minerals, amino acids;
- heart failure;
- anemia;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (colitis, dysbacteriosis, enteritis);
- fungal diseases;
- mechanical damage;
- impaired metabolism;
- hormonal imbalances;
- liver and kidney damage;
- frequent stress, poor nervous system;
- diabetes.
What to do if there are white spots on your toenails? Photos of patients
Most often, leukonychia remains only a visual manifestation of a specific pathological process. On its own, it does not cause discomfort and generally does not require specific treatment.
Sometimes it happens that people don't even notice the white spots under their toenails. The photo below shows a slight spread of leukonychia without subjective sensations.
In this case, the process is caused by hypovitaminosis. When you normalize your diet, the spots will disappear on their own.
The next photo already shows a more extensive lesion of the nail plate, which is difficult to miss.
Considering the additional presence of itching and discomfort in the foot, one can argue about a fungal infection. In this case, it is necessary to carry out specialized treatment using appropriate medications.
In any case, if a white spot appears on your toenail, you need to establish the cause of this condition. If there are diseases of the internal organs, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease. If there is a deficiency of certain substances in the body, adjust the diet. Leukonychia is a visual signal that there is a certain problem in the body. With timely diagnosis and initiation of quality treatment, the situation can be prevented from worsening.
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In Eastern medicine, the practice of examining nails is used everywhere. The poor condition of the nail plate in most cases indicates the presence of a disease or pathology that is not older than six months. This is how long it will take for the nail to fully grow. However, in Russia this practice is not used, and many symptoms are simply not paid attention to. For example, stains on the nails. Are they really harmless or do they just seem so?
Treatment methods for leukonychia
Without identifying the cause of its appearance, it is almost impossible to get rid of false leukonychia. You will need a comprehensive diagnosis. The nail plate grows completely in six months. Therefore, the detection of leukonychia indicates problems that occurred relatively recently. Or they have simply survived to this day.
Many reasons lie on the surface, identifying and dealing with them are quite simple. If you often go on strict diets , then just visit your dietitian. He will advise you to change your diet to prevent hypovitaminosis coupled with mineral deficiency. Your menu should include large quantities of spinach, celery, and parsley. Don't forget about fruits, plant and animal proteins. Fresh dairy products (in particular milk and cottage cheese) should always be present in the refrigerator. Your doctor may also recommend multivitamin supplements.
If nail injuries are chronic, then it is better to visit the nail salon as little as possible. Treat cuticles and nails very carefully.
It will be more difficult to get rid of stains if you have problems with the nervous system. Of course, a vacation will help with chronic fatigue. A change of scenery plays a big role here. But you cannot cope with the consequences of a strong psychotraumatic factor on your own. You will have to resort to the services of a psychotherapist and drug therapy to normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
If problems with the cardiovascular system, stomach or liver diseases are identified, you should contact a professional specialist. Only he has the right to prescribe treatment for you.
Etiology
Vertical or horizontal white stripes on the nails may be the result of the following etiological factors:
- acute lack of minerals in the body;
- hypervitaminosis or hypovitaminosis;
- gastroenterological diseases;
- insufficient amount of amino acids;
- anemia;
- kidney diseases;
- fungal diseases;
- pathological processes in the liver;
- diabetes;
- hormonal imbalances;
- acute heart failure;
- frequent stress, severe nervous tension, chronic fatigue;
- mechanical damage to the nail plate;
- following a diet that is too strict;
- diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The nature of the stripes and their number quite often indicate the etiological factor itself, but only a qualified doctor can accurately determine this. It is not recommended to carry out treatment on your own, as this can lead to subsequent complications.
Preventive measures
To avoid the appearance of stains on your nails, you should listen to simple rules:
- carry out timely treatment of somatic diseases;
- eat right;
- observe the rest and work schedule;
- use gloves when working with chemicals;
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- do a neat manicure;
- wear shoes that are comfortable for your feet.
Diagnostics
In this case, first of all, you need to contact a general practitioner, who, after an initial examination, will, if necessary, give a referral to a highly specialized doctor. Consultation may be needed:
In addition to the initial examination, the following diagnostic procedures may be prescribed:
- UAC and BAC;
- general analysis of urine and feces;
- endoscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Ultrasound of internal organs;
- CT;
- MRI;
- ECG;
- immunological studies.
The exact diagnostic program will depend on the current clinical picture and the history collected during the initial examination.
Strengthening the nail plate
You can try to improve the condition of your nails yourself. Peach and almond oil will help speed up the process of nail regrowth. Before going to bed, you can apply fish oil and vitamins E and A in the form of oil solutions to your nails (they can be purchased at the pharmacy).
It would also be a good idea of olive oil and fresh lemon juice into your nails Take these components in equal quantities. And don't forget about daily hand baths. To do this, add sea salt, iodine, oak bark decoction, and chamomile infusion to warm water. Pamper your hands with this bath for 15 minutes.
The complex drug Aevit has a good effect on the condition of the plate, but still, before taking it, consult your doctor. By the way, you can make a good medicinal “varnish” from this drug. To do this, mix two capsules of the drug with a small amount of olive oil and a few drops of iodine. Apply the resulting mixture with a soft brush to all plates. It is recommended to do this before bed.
Symptoms
Since this is a symptom and not a separate disease, the clinical picture will depend entirely on the underlying factor. It should be noted that quite often the appearance of stripes on the nails is the only symptom at the initial stage of development of the disease, which, in most cases, is not paid attention to.
If there is a lack of vitamins and minerals, the following clinical signs may occur:
- dry skin, unhealthy color;
- brittleness of hair and nails;
- deterioration in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which can manifest itself in irregular bowel movements, periodic attacks of nausea and vomiting;
- headaches, dizziness;
- skin rashes, itching;
- underweight or, on the contrary, overweight;
- weakness, increasing malaise;
- drowsiness;
- reduced performance.
In addition, chronic diseases, if any, may worsen. Also, with a lack of vitamins, the immune system is weakened, which provokes the development of other diseases.
If the cause of stripes on the nails is a gastroenterological disease, then the following clinic may be present:
- abdominal pain of various localization and nature;
- changes in the frequency of bowel movements and the consistency of stool;
- loss of appetite, which may result in weight loss;
- dyspeptic disorders.
In case of pathologies in the liver area, the stripes are localized in the lower part of the nail plate. A similar clinical picture may be observed with the following additions:
- pain and feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium;
- yellowness of the skin and sclera;
- pain in the area of the affected organ can be projected onto the lower back, back.
With kidney disease, the patient may be bothered by the following symptoms:
If there are disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, white stripes appear randomly on the nail plate in the form of small lines. The following additional symptoms may be present:
If the cause of such a symptom is not a pathological process, but simply mechanical damage to the nail plate, then, as a rule, there are no additional signs.
Solutions to the problem
There are several accessible and easy-to-use methods that will neutralize external factors and relieve most symptoms of systemic diseases.
Treatment of the nail plate
It involves carefully cleaning the surface of the nail with hardware in a beauty salon or independently using manicure tools. With deep stripes, the services of a specialist will be required; barely visible defects can easily be eliminated manually.
Paraffin therapy
The procedure is similar to a manicure, where the varnish is replaced with cosmetic paraffin. It is applied to a previously cleaned surface. The composition enriches nails with vitamins, eliminates bacterial flora, and promotes their healing.
Compress and baths for recovery
Baths made from a combination of vegetable, cosmetic and essential oils are considered a good healing and strengthening remedy. The mixture is heated in a water bath to a comfortable temperature. The tip of the unhealthy finger is immersed in the mixture and held until it cools.
Massage
The diseased nail is pre-treated with a rich cosmetic cream or oil. The plate is then massaged with the tip of the thumb using light pressure. A feeling of warmth and redness indicates blood flow, after which the massage can be stopped.
Lemon juice to restore nails
Freshly squeezed lemon juice helps correct defects. It can be applied in drops to each sore nail or applied as a 10-minute lotion with the pulp. The juice must be absorbed, so the procedure is carried out before bedtime, interaction with water is avoided.
Prevention
In this case, it is impossible to identify specific preventive measures, since this is a symptom and not a separate disease. In general, it is advisable to follow preventive measures regarding those ailments that are included in the etiological list.
The term "leukonychia" refers to white stripes on the fingernails . There can be many reasons for this phenomenon. Such pathological changes in the nails cannot be considered as an independent disease. But the poor condition of the nail plate indicates negative changes in the body.
