Nail diagnostics: what the color and shape of nails can tell you. Nails are different... Why the color changes

Nails are a mirror that reflects the state of human health, and are often the first to indicate serious diseases of the body. Diseases of the nails, in which their color changes, always cause great discomfort in a person and significantly reduce his quality of life.

Normal nail plates are pale pink in color. They are shiny and have slight fading in the center. At the posterior edge there is a white nail fold.

Pigmentation of the nail itself, as a primary change, is inherent in people of some nationalities.

The melanin, hemosiderin and hepatogenic pigments accumulated under its bed give the nail a different color.

Coloring nail plates changes in a number of diseases. The most common cause of discoloration is associated with a fungal infection (onychomycosis). When changing color, texture, shape and thickness. On different stages During the development of the disease, these changes are expressed in one form or another. Second in terms of loss primary color nails due to psoriasis.

Change in nail color due to fungal infection

Among all the diseases that occur with changes in nail color, onychomycosis is the most common. With these diseases, color changes, shine is lost, stripes and spots appear, and the thickness of the nail plates increases. Over time, they become deformed, crumble, collapse, or become detached from the nail bed.

More often the nail plates fungal infection acquire a yellowish or brown color. With trichophytosis - dirty gray. With rubromycosis and favus - yellow coloration.

Rice. 1. The photo shows onychomycosis (normotrophic type). Nail plate long time saves its configuration. In its depths, spots and stripes of white or saturated color are visible. yellow color. Over time, the discolored areas merge.

Rice. 2. The photo shows a nail disease caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum (onycholytic type). The nail plate quickly loses its original color and becomes dull, acquiring a whitish or whitish-yellowish color. There is a rapid separation of the nail plate from the nail bed from the side of the free edge.

Rice. 3. The photo shows onychomycosis (hypertrophic type). This form of the disease is the most common. Up to 90% of cases are caused by fungi of the genus Trichophyton rubrum. The development of subungual hyperkeratosis entails a significant thickening of the nail, which over time loses substance, causing the surface to become “eaten away.” In its thickness, whitish spots and stripes of white and yellow are visible.

Rice. 4. The photo shows white superficial onychomycosis. The second most common form of onychomycosis. In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Trichophyton interdigitale, which affects only the top layer of the nail plate, which never thickens or separates from the skin. Over time, its entire surface becomes loose, like chalk powder.

Change in nail color due to psoriasis

The causes of psoriasis have not yet been established. The disease is considered multifactorial. There is no doubt that changes in the immune system play a role big role in the development of the disease. Nail plates with psoriasis change long before the appearance of the main manifestations of the disease - psoriatic plaques on skin. The more involved in pathological process matrix, the more pronounced is the change in the nail plate, which over time completely loses its structure and color.

Rice. 5. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. Characteristic sign primary psoriasis - a narrow reddish-pinkish strip is visible through the nail plate.

Rice. 6. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. Under the nail plate, a reddish or salmon-colored coloration is visible, resembling a drop of oil in shape.

Rice. 7. The photo shows an erythematous-spotted form of psoriasis. Yellowish spots appear through the nail plate.

Rice. 8. The photo shows nail disease due to psoriasis. The structure of the nail plate on the matrix side is destroyed, the undamaged part has acquired a smoky color.

Nail diseases in which the nail plates have white spots (leukonychia)

Leukonychia is the coloring of the nail plates White color- from point and stripe to total.

Most common punctate leukonychia. It is caused by injuries during manicure. Leukonychia punctata occurs as a result of exposure to certain chemicals. Often the cause of punctate leukonychia cannot be identified.

Leukonychia punctata can transform into leukonychia stripe. It is assumed that this type of change in nail color is associated with changes in trophic nature. White stripes on the nails appear due to arsenic and thallium poisoning.

Total nail coloring white(white nails or Terry's nails) appear in 80% of cases in patients with cirrhosis of the liver. They are a symptom of kidney and heart failure, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia and malnutrition. White discoloration of the nail bed has been observed due to chemotherapy and excessive hormone production thyroid gland. Scientists believe that Terry's nails appear when the number of blood vessels decreases and connective tissue grows in the nail bed. At the same time, the nails become matte. White nail plates are often found with onychomycosis.

Rice. 9. The photo shows white spots on the nails (punctate leukonychia).

Rice. 10. The photo shows white spots on the nails (striatal leukonychia).

Rice. 11. The photo shows white superficial onychomycosis. In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by a fungus of the genus Trichophyton interdigitale, which affects only the top layer of the nail plate, which becomes loose, like chalk powder.

Rice. 12. The photo shows white “Terry’s nails.” Total white staining appears in 80% of cases in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Rice. 13. The photo shows psoriasis. The nail plate is destroyed and has a grayish-white color.

Rice. 14. The photo shows arched lines on the nail plates (Murke lines). Occurs in patients with a reduced amount of protein in the blood. When the protein amount is normalized, the lines disappear.

Nail diseases in which the nail plates are yellow (“yellow” nails)

A yellow color appears with a fungal infection, when the cause of the disease is red trichophyton and some types of mold fungi aspergillus.

Yellow coloration is observed in bronchiectasis, sinusitis, thyroid diseases and tuberculosis. It is often a sign of jaundice.

The yellow color of the nail plate becomes due to frequent use of low-quality varnish.

With defects in the development of the lymphatic system, the nails slow down their growth, thicken, lose transparency, become yellow, and the lunula disappears. The disease is accompanied by swelling upper limb and periungual fold.

Rice. 15. The photo shows yellow nail plates due to fungal infection.

Rice. 16. In the photo, yellow nail plates are one of the syndromes associated with a number of diseases.

Nail diseases in which the nail plates are brown (“brown” nails)

Coloring of nail plates Brown color most often observed with onychomycosis caused by red trichophyton, chronic renal failure (in 40% of cases) and Addison's disease.

Nails acquire a brownish color in women during pregnancy, surgical interventions for diseases of the female genital organs, diabetes, malnutrition, thyroid disease, frequent use of low-quality varnish, use of certain medications (gold preparations, zidovudine, anthracyclines, etc.) .

Nail plates acquire a brownish-green tint due to candidiasis and aspergillosis.

Rice. 17. In the photo there is a nail disease - onychomycosis.

Nail diseases in which the nail plates are green (“green” nails)

Nails acquire a black-green color as they develop in the loose structure of the nail. White, brown, green or black color is given to the nail plates by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. The disease most often affects the nails of the first three toes. Whitish spots or stripes are visible on their surface. Over time, the surface itself becomes soft, powdery and crumbly, grayish, brownish or green in color.

Rice. 18. The photo shows a nail disease caused by mold fungi of the genus Aspergillus.

Rice. 19. The photo shows a nail disease caused by fungi of the genus Candida albicans. The fungus colonizes weakened areas. More often, the nail plates on the hands are affected, which become discolored or acquire a brownish or greenish color and thicken. Sometimes the surrounding skin is affected, causing painful sensations. Wearing artificial nails contributes to the disease.

Rice. 20. The photo shows a nail disease caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (onychia pseudomonas). Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonizes in the cavities of the nail plates.

Nail diseases in which the nail plates have a gray-blue or blue color (“blue” nails)

When broad-spectrum antibiotics tetracycline and minomycin are used, the nails turn blue; when trichophytosis occurs, they turn dirty gray.

The nail plates acquire a gray-blue color when taking the antimalarial drug quinine and the antiprotozoal drug chloroquine.

The color changes with an increase in methemoglobin in the blood. In some cases, methemoglobinemia develops with acute poisoning aniline dyes, paracetamol, potassium permanganate, etc. and chronic intoxication with silver compounds (argyria). There is congenital methemoglobinemia.

Rice. 21. The photo shows nail plates that have a gray-blue color.

Rice. 22. The photo shows a nail disease caused by taking Minocycline.

Rice. 23. The photo shows Wilson-Konovalov disease, in which an excess of copper in the body leads to its accumulation in many organs, including nails and the cornea of ​​the eye.

Rice. 24. The photo shows a bluish coloration of all nail plates due to insufficient peripheral circulation (hypoxemia), which is most often caused by chronic heart failure. A bluish discoloration of the peripheral parts of the body is observed on the hands, tip of the nose, lips and ears.

Nail diseases that cause dark streaks (melanonychia)

Melanonychia appears in the 20s summer age 77% of people with black skin color. However, if this happens to a fair-skinned person, you should be wary. IN in this case it is necessary to exclude melanoma - the most malignant tumor in the world. This tumor, as it grows, affects the nail bed and is called subungual melanoma. The color always changes on one nail plate. Most often, the causes of melanonychia remain unknown.

The color and texture of the nail can reflect a number of medical conditions.

Look at your nails, you may notice slight changes in their texture or color - a little white here, a pink tint there, perhaps some waviness or bumpiness in the surface. These flaws may not be common to you, but to the experienced eye they can provide some valuable hints about your personality. general state health.

"Like the eyes, nails are the window to the soul," says Dr. Tamara Lior, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Florida. Lior says she once convinced one patient to have his lungs checked after noticing a bluish tint to his fingernails, a sign that he wasn't getting enough oxygen. He had fluid in his lungs.

Warning signs of everything from hepatitis to heart disease can also appear on the nails, according to Dr. Joshua Fox, director of Progressive Dermatology and a spokesman for the American Academy of Dermatologists. "Changes in the nails can be a sign of a local disease, such as a fungal infection, or a sign of a systemic disease, such as lupus or anemia," says Fox.

He says he sometimes tries to guess if a person is anemic by looking at his or her fingernails. He explains that pale, whitish nail beds can mean low content red blood cells, which is anemia.

Iron deficiency can cause the appearance of thin, concave nail plates with raised edges.

And while most of Fox's patients don't come to him to report a nail problem, he often gets their nails checked anyway. "Nails can give many little clues as to what's going on inside you. Patients with lupus often have tortuous, geniculate blood vessels in the nail folds. Psoriasis starts in the nails in 10% of cases and causes splitting and grooves in the nail plate," provides examples. expert.

Heart disease can make the nail plate red. Obsessive Obsessive Syndrome (OCD) can include constant biting or picking of nails, Fox says.

Even common diseases, such as thyroid disease, can cause atypical changes in the nail beds, which become dry, brittle and easily crack or peel.

He listed 10 the following Examples of nail changes that may indicate a serious illness:

Appearance of the nail	Related disease
White nails Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails Yellowish nails with slight blue discoloration at the base Nails that are half white and half pink Red nail plates Pale or white nail plates Furrows or separation of the nail plate "Thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers" Irregular red lines at the base of the nail fold Black lines under the nail	Liver disease, such as hepatitis Lung disease, such as emphysema Kidney disease Heart diseases Psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis Lung disease Lupus or connective tissue disease Melanoma

Not always the first call

But can a doctor really identify an undiagnosed heart disease or kidney problems just by looking at your nails? American College of Physicians spokeswoman Dr. Christine Lane, MPH, says it's unlikely. She doesn't dispute the connection between nails and disease, but cautions: "Nail changes are rarely the first sign of serious illness. In most cases, patients will exhibit other signs or symptoms of disease before nail changes become apparent. For example, thickening is unlikely The terminal phalanx of the fingers is the first sign that appears in a patient with emphysema. Breathing problems may be the first to appear."

Additionally, Lane, who is senior associate editor of the Annals of Internal Medicine, notes that certain diseases may cause nail changes in some patients but not in others. "For example, not all people with liver disease have white nails," Lane says. The opposite is also true - not everyone with white nails has liver disease. "In the absence of other signs and symptoms of disease, I would be unsure whether to initiate a comprehensive, expensive evaluation for systemic disease based solely on nail changes."

Fox agrees that you shouldn't rush to your nearest cardiologist if your nails are red. "Nail polish can also cause this," he says. Before assuming the worst, you need to look for a more plausible explanation, such as bruising, bleeding under the nail, fungal infection.

When should you visit a dermatologist?

Many common nail problems are caused by fungal infections, which cause nails to crack, peel, and change color and texture. These infections are often difficult to treat, so professional help is needed, including prescribing antifungal medications. Fox says it's best to see a dermatologist if symptoms persist, especially if your nails begin to separate from the base or you experience pain and swelling.

Changes in texture, shape, or color not due to bruising or fungal infection, including abnormal growth, grooves or holes in the nails, dark brown streaks under the nails and cuticles, or persistent growths on the nail bed are of particular concern. According to Lior, they could mean skin cancer. “Growths around the nails tend to develop into squamous cell carcinoma,” she says. “If a patient observes darkening, including the cuticle, we suspect melanoma,” the deadliest form of skin cancer.

Fox advises reporting these types of changes to a specialist as soon as possible. "Dermatologists are experienced in distinguishing between benign and serious nail disease and determining which changes require follow-up evaluation."

Change appearance fingernails or toenails can tell a lot about a person's health. Nail diseases can be caused by a fungal infection or more dangerous causes.

The nail is easily damaged, then it darkens and sometimes comes off. However, if your nails have changed color, texture, shape, or thickness for an unknown reason, you should consult a doctor. This article describes the most probable reasons:

• conditions when nails peel;
• nail deformities;
• changes in nail color;
• destruction and detachment of nail plates.

5+ years of experience

Nails are peeling

Nails often peel in older people as a result of aging. Additionally, brittle nails are often simply due to prolonged exposure to water or chemicals such as cleaners and nail polishes. If your nails are peeling, you can strengthen them by taking biotin (vitamin B7) supplements and using hand and nail cream. To protect your hands, wear gloves when performing any work involving water or corrosive substances.

Sometimes fragility or brittleness of nails can be caused by the following reasons:

• nail fungus, which is treated with antifungal drugs in tablets (this is especially often the cause of brittle toenails);
• lichen planus is a skin disease that sometimes affects only the nails;
• hyper- or hypothyroidism - dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that also affects the nails.

Occasionally, nails may peel in patients with reactive arthritis. This is inflammation of the joints associated with an abnormal reaction of the immune system to its own tissues: it begins to destroy joints and muscles after an infectious disease.

Changing nail color

Yellow nails Usually they talk about a fungal infection or psoriasis. Also, yellowing of nails can have the following reasons:

• frequent use nail polish;
• lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes swelling of the skin;
• bronchiectasis is a chronic irreversible lung disease;
• sinusitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses);
• thyroiditis - inflammation of the thyroid gland;
• tuberculosis is a dangerous infection of the lungs and other organs of the body;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin) due to liver disease;
• certain drugs such as mepacrine or carotene;
• chronic paronychia - purulent inflammation of the periungual fold.

Black and green nail color- green nail syndrome or onychia pseudomonas. This bacterial disease nails, caused by the proliferation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the thickness of the nail and under it. The highest probability of bacterial infection is in flaky, loose nails that peel off easily. The infection can be treated by applying antibiotic eye drops under the nails or soaking the affected nails in an antiseptic solution or vinegar.

Gray nail color may be caused by medications such as antimalarials or minocycline.

Brown nails occur with thyroid diseases, pregnancy, exhaustion, and also occur in people who often use nail polish.

Red or yellow dot under the nail may be a sign of psoriasis. Sometimes it seems that there is a drop of oil or a red-pink speck under the nail.

Half white, half brown nails(at the tips) occur in renal failure, when the kidneys stop working normally. The reason for this change in nail color is not entirely clear, but one theory is that kidney failure causes changes in blood chemistry that stimulate the release of melanin (skin pigment) into the nail bed. It is also possible that kidney failure causes an increase in the number of small blood vessels under the nails that show through the nail plate. It is estimated that up to 40% of people with kidney failure have “two-tone” nails. This coloration of nails may be associated with AIDS or a course of chemotherapy.

White nails. If most of the nail is white, but the nail sits tightly in the nail bed, the most likely cause is either a fungal infection or a reduction in blood flow to the nail bed, the so-called. "Terry's nails"

Typically, Terry's nails are white with reddish or dark tips, which can indicate a variety of medical conditions, including the following:

• Cirrhosis of the liver - approximately 80% with cirrhosis of the liver have Terry's nails;
• liver, kidney or heart failure;
• iron deficiency anemia - a decrease in the number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body;
• chemotherapy;
• overactive thyroid gland - when thyroid produces too many hormones;
• malnutrition.

Stripes on nails

The appearance of white spots or stripes on the nails normal and not a cause for concern, but parallel white lines across the entire nail (Murcke's lines) indicate low protein levels in the blood. This may be caused by liver disease or malnutrition.

Red or brown lines under the nails, as a rule, are traces of blood due to damage to the tiny vessels under the nail plate. A few lines under one nail are normal; most likely, they were formed as a result of injury. However, if many nails are affected, this may indicate lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, infection heart valves (endocarditis) or others.

Nail deformity

A common cause of thick nails is a fungal infection, which can also cause them to become discolored and brittle (see above). Other possible reasons thickening or overgrowth of nails:

• psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin
• prolonged pressure on the legs uncomfortable shoes;
• reactive arthritis, in which the immune system attacks joints, muscles and other parts of the body after an infection.

Very thick nails, resembling claws or pebbles. Sometimes the nails thumbs The legs grow and thicken so much that they resemble claws, and they are almost impossible to cut with ordinary tweezers. This is called onychogryphosis and often occurs in older people as a reaction to prolonged pressure on the nails. Sometimes it helps to deal with it regular pedicure, but in some cases the nails have to be removed by a doctor.

Uneven nails with spoon-shaped indentations in the middle. If your nails curl inward like spoons ( scientific name this phenomenon is koilonychia), this may indicate one of the following diseases:

• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• hemochromatosis - excess iron in the body;
• Raynaud's disease is a common disease that impairs blood circulation in the fingers and toes, causing them to turn pale;
• Lupus erythematosus is a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the body's cells, tissues and organs.

Pits or depressions in the nails may indicate the following diseases:

• psoriasis - 10–50% of people with psoriasis have pitted nails;
• eczema, a chronic skin disease;
• reactive arthritis;
• alopecia areata, periodic hair loss in small areas of the scalp.

Wavy nails (Bo's grooves). Deep stripes or grooves running from left to right across the nail are called Bo's grooves. Such wavy nails may appear in the background:

• illness that began several months ago;
• chemotherapy;
• suffered trauma;
• exposure to very low temperatures in Raynaud's disease.

Due to illness, injury or cold, the nail may stop growing and grooves may form at its base. Usually, nails become wavy only a few months later, when the nail has grown and the grooves are higher. A fingernail takes four to six months to fully grow, and a toenail takes 6 to 12 months.

"Drumsticks" and "watch glasses"- this is a thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers, in which the tissue under the nails becomes coarser and the tips of the fingers become round. The nails grow over the rounded fingertips and take on the characteristic round glass appearance. The cause of this phenomenon is believed to be increased blood flow to the fingertips. Sometimes such nail deformation is only hereditary trait. However, if the nails have changed shape during life, the cause may be one of the following diseases:

• chronic lung or heart disease, such as lung cancer, COPD, asthma or endocarditis;
• inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
• stomach or intestinal cancer;
• liver damage (cirrhosis);
• Polycythemia is a disease in which the blood becomes very thick.

The nail is coming off

If your toenail begins to peel and falls off as a result of a toe injury, this is normal. If the nail comes off nail bed for no apparent reason, it is worth paying attention to this. The most harmless cause of nail loss is the overuse of manicure, especially sharp instruments, to clean the space under the nails.

In more in rare cases The nail can come off as a result of the following diseases:

• fungal nail infection;
• nail psoriasis;
• warts growing in groups around the nail;
• overactive thyroid gland;
• sarcoidosis is a disease in which small clusters of cells form in organs and tissues;
• amyloidosis - accumulation of protein in organs;
• damage to the connective tissue fibers that support the organs and tissues of the body;
• poor circulation, for example, due to smoking or Raynaud's disease (when the skin on the fingers turns white in the cold);
• an allergic reaction to medications (usually antibiotics) or cosmetical tools for nails.

Destruction of the nail plate is possible due to the following reasons:

• trauma, including as a result of nail biting;
• skin diseases such as psoriasis or lichen planus;
• a growth of surrounding tissue is usually harmless (such as a common or horny wart), but can also be cancerous.

Paronychia - purulent inflammation around the nail

Paronychia is an inflammation of the periungual fold, that is, the skin and soft fabric, framing and supporting the nail, one of the types of felon. The cause of paronychia is infection, and the predisposing factor is trauma. The disease is approximately three times more common in women. Sometimes paronychia is caused by a chronic skin condition such as eczema or psoriasis, or another disease such as diabetes or HIV.

Paronychia can be acute, where symptoms appear within a few hours, or chronic, lasting longer than six weeks.

Acute paronychia

Acute paronychia usually develops as a result of minor damage to the periungual fold, for example, during a manicure or in those who like to bite their nails. The affected area becomes red, hot and painful to the touch, and swollen. After some time, pus may appear and accumulate around the nail.

Most common cause acute paronychia is a bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, although any other microbes can also cause inflammation. In rare cases, the cause of a periungual infection is the herpes virus, then they speak of herpetic whitlow. The most early stages Bacterial paronychia is treated with antibiotics, often resorting to surgical opening of the abscess. Without proper treatment, the process can become chronic.

Chronic paronychia

Chronic paronychia may develop more slowly and may be more difficult to get rid of. It is most common among people whose hands frequently come into contact with water or chemicals eg cleaners, bartenders, kitchen staff or fishmongers. The disease can begin on one nail, but then affect several. The affected periungual folds become swollen and can sometimes become red and painful, often after contact with water. The nail plate gradually thickens and grooves appear on it, and the nail may turn yellow or green and become brittle.

The skin with chronic paronychia is often abundantly populated with fungi and bacteria, the reproduction of which is normally restrained immune system, and despite the illness they feel great. In order to cure chronic paronychia, complex treatment is necessary, which may take several months. If cured, it may take up to a year for it to grow back. healthy nail. Sometimes you can relieve symptoms by keeping your hands dry and warm, regularly applying moisturizer, and not biting your nails.

If the disease is severe, you should consult a doctor. Depending on the type of paronychia, creams and (or) tablets may be prescribed, which should be taken according to the instructions. The doctor may prescribe additional examination.

Which doctor should I consult for nail diseases?

If you are concerned about changes in your nails, find a good dermatologist. This doctor will conduct an examination, take necessary tests. If the cause of deformation or change in nail color is serious illness internal organs, the dermatologist will refer you to the right specialist.

Healthy nails have smooth surface And uniform color, matching skin tone. A change in nail color is called dyschromia. Unfortunately, not everyone pays attention to this phenomenon. And it’s completely in vain, since a change in the shade of the nail can be a symptom of a serious disease.

Therefore, if you find that one or more nails have acquired an uncharacteristic color, you should not try to disguise this defect. bright varnish, but you should consult a dermatologist. You may also need to consult other specialists.

Causes

Nails can change their natural color due to various reasons. Very often the cause is dermatological diseases. This is, first of all:

• . It is a fungal infection that causes changes in the shade of the nail in half of the cases.
• Inflammatory diseases nail fold (, etc.).
• Various pigment abnormalities of nails..
• Various dermatoses, psoriasis, etc.

Endocrine disorders can cause a non-standard nail color. Such as, expressed chronic failure production of adrenal hormones. Sometimes minor manifestations of dyschromia can be observed during pregnancy.

Changes in the nail plates can be caused by diseases affecting the liver or cardiovascular system. Serious diseases such as HIV or malaria can also affect the color of your nails.

TO external reasons Smoking and injuries, including sloppy manicures, can affect the color of the nail.

Change in nail color as a symptom of disease

Doctors have long noted the relationship between nail color and various diseases.

Natural pink nail color is evidence of excellent health. But excessively pale nails can be one of the signs of anemia.

Yellowish or brown tint nail may be caused by a fungal infection. Sometimes this color of nails is observed in patients with other chronic dermatosis. Nails can become yellowish as a result of a long course of antibiotics. In addition, heavy smokers may have yellow or even brown nails.

Black or purple nail color is most often a consequence of nail injury. As a result of a blow or pinching, a nail is formed under the nail, which gives color to the nails.

A bluish tint to the nail plates is observed in patients with circulatory disorders. In addition, nails can acquire such an unusual shade when treated with silver preparations.

The appearance of dark red or brown spots may be both the result of a nail injury and evidence of infective endocarditis.

The appearance of white spots may indicate a lack of zinc or calcium in the body. The appearance of former cloudy areas of the nail plate often indicates fungal infections.

A yellow-green tint to the nail may be a sign of the development of cancer, serious liver damage, or diabetes mellitus.

Diagnostic methods

To diagnose the disease, an external examination of the patient is performed.

Diagnosis in this case comes down to an external examination and the appointment of examinations aimed at identifying the cause that led to dyschromia. In this case, the patient may require consultations with specialists:

• Nephrologist;
• Cardiologist;
• Endocrinologist;
• Gastroenterologist;
• Neuropathologist.

The patient must be interviewed, it is necessary to find out how long ago the patient noticed changes in the color of the nail plates, find out about the presence concomitant diseases, find out if there was a Lately.

In addition, a number of examinations are necessary. As a rule, the following tests are prescribed.

Cultural examination - bacterial culture on nutrient media. The technique is used to determine the type of bacterial or fungal infection and determine their sensitivity. The material for research is a piece of nail. The material is placed in a nutrient medium, and through certain time measurements and identification of microflora types are carried out. The analysis usually takes 7-10 days. During the study, the reaction of microflora to drugs is determined, this allows you to select the most effective treatment.

Microscopic examination material to determine the nature of the nail lesion.

Treatment

Treatment in this case depends on what exactly caused the formation of natural color nail

If it is a fungal infection, then complex treatment is carried out with local and systemic drugs. The drugs are selected based on the results of the tests. As a rule, agents that have a general antimycotic effect are used. For example, Nizoral, Orungal, Lamisil, etc.

External treatment consists of using local funds– ointments or solutions containing antifungal components. The use of Andriasyan's liquid, consisting of a mixture of glycerin, alcohol and vinegar, may also be prescribed. To soften the tissues of the affected nail, ointments containing salicylic or lactic acid are used.

In some cases, the use of surgical treatment methods is indicated. In this case, the affected nail plate is completely removed. After the operation, a course of antifungal drugs is prescribed.

Treatment for a subungual hematoma, which causes the nail to turn purple or black, involves a simple operation. Using a sterile instrument, the nail is punctured and the blood that has accumulated underneath it is released.

In the event that changes in the color of the nail are caused by vitamin deficiency, it is necessary to prescribe vitamin-mineral complexes to compensate for the deficiency nutrients.

If endocrine disorders are detected, the endocrinologist prescribes corrective treatment. If the examination reveals diseases of the internal organs, special treatment is necessary.

In the event that the cause of yellowing of the nail is smoking, the only possible treatment will become complete failure from bad habit.

Treatment with traditional methods

Choice traditional methods treatments as well as methods traditional medicine, depends on the reason that caused the change in the color shade of the nail plate.

1. Fungus ointment. Take copper sulfate and heat it in a frying pan until a white-gray powder forms, mix with an equal amount of powdered sulfur, birch tar and goose fat. Put everything on water bath and stir while heating until a homogeneous mass is formed. Apply to nails affected by fungus.
2. Celandine ointment. Take 50 grams of celandine roots and stems and finely chop them in a blender or meat grinder. Mix with 300 grams of melted fat. You can take goose or pork. Store the ointment in the refrigerator. Lubricate affected nails 5 times a day.
3. Kombucha compresses or propolis tinctures are effective treatments for fungal infections. In the first case, you need to apply a piece cut from the body of the mushroom to the sore finger. In the second - a tampon soaked in tincture. Keep the compress for about half an hour.
4. Coffee baths. You need to brew strong coffee and use it for baths. The nails are dipped into warm coffee, being careful not to stir up the sediment. After holding for 15 minutes, remove and allow the nails to dry without wiping them with a towel.
5. Will help cope with fungal infection and restore nails healthy color wine vinegar compress.

If the cause of the loss of the natural color of the nail plate is some disease, then it is necessary to direct the main efforts to its treatment. At the same time, you should take care of your nails to make them stronger.

It is useful to make baths with the addition of sea ​​salt. It is useful to use not water for preparing baths, but a decoction of St. John's wort or willow bark. After the bath, you should rub almond or other oil into your nails.

Another one useful procedure– melt the honey and mix it with an equal amount vegetable oil. Cool the mixture slightly and add the yolk to it. Immerse your nails in this mixture for 15 minutes. Then massage your nails a little and wash your hands.

Prognosis and prevention

Preventing nail discoloration involves maintaining overall health. It is necessary to strive to lead as much as possible healthy image life, undergo regular preventive medical examinations. When identifying diseases, carefully follow all instructions given by specialists.

It is important to properly care for your nail plates, avoid injuries, and do your manicure carefully. If possible, you should avoid trim manicure, since there is a high risk of infection when performing this procedure. It is very important to use individual tools for treating nails, and when undergoing procedures in nail salons require the technician to sterilize instruments.

It is highly advisable to quit smoking, as this bad habit Not only is it harmful to health, but it can also cause unnatural nail color.

The prognosis for changing the shade of the nail plates depends on the reason that provoked this phenomenon. If the cause is eliminated, a healthy nail of normal color will grow back in 8-12 months.