Know more about nail abnormalities: symptoms, causes and effects

Lucknow: Every girl fantasizes of having beautiful nails. Nail care is the maintenance of the fingernails and toenails, is important for health as well as cosmetic reasons.

ALSO READ:Youth should keep alive India’s rich textile heritage: Ashmore

Below are some different kind of nails abnormalities. Abnormalities such as spots, discoloration, and nail separation can result from injuries to the fingers and hands, viral warts, infections, and some medications. Certain medical conditions can also change the appearance of your fingernails. However, these changes can be difficult to interpret.

1. Cracks on the nails

Cracks on the nails may indicate certain kind of skin diseases. Diseases such as thyroid, fungal infections and psoriasis.

2. Bent nail

If the nail is bent or pinched there is deficiency of Vitamin B-12 and iron in body. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal products, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk products. However, curved nails may also signify lung cancer.

ALSO READ:Armed forces should be at forefront of combating bioterrorism: Rajnath

3. Dark lines on nails

These nails are usually called Terry nails. This is often due to aging but also indicate onset of melanoma a kind of skin cancer.

4. Pale lunula

A pale lunula indicates possible diabetes, while yellow colored nails means nail infections.

5. White spots on nails

White spots on nails depict vitamin deficiency in body or an allergic reaction. Lines on the nail are called leukonychia. They’re usually the result of a minor trauma and are harmless in healthy individuals. Sometimes leukonychia is associated with poor health or nutritional deficiencies. Factors can include infectious, metabolic, or systemic diseases as well as certain drugs.

6. Small lunula

A very small lunulausually indicates low immunity and indigestion problem. It may happen due to slow metabolism and toxin overload in the body.

7. White nails

White nails depict liver problems like hepatitis or jaundice.

8. No half moon on nails

No half moon on nails means a weak thyroid. This can lead to depression, mood swings, weight gain and thinning of hair.

ALSO READ:Infrastructure in industrial estate to be boosted with Central aid: Pondy Min

9. Blue colour of nail

If your nails are blue around the half moon indicates possible lung or circulatory problems. The organs are not getting enough oxygen. This condition is known as cyanosis.

Good nail care can prevent fungus infections of the nail, painful ingrown fingernails and toenails, and infections of the skin in the hands and feet. Nail care is especially important for those with diabetes, as infections of the feet in particular are dangerous. To care for your nails, keep them short and trimmed keep your hands and feet and their nails clean. Don't bite nails or pick at them or the cuticles. Also avoid tight shoes and artificial nails.