Nail color: What it says about our health
All of us need to observe the quality and condition of our nails regularly. Especially, men may not care as much about well-groomed extremities and may be used to the worn appearance of their nails, whether from minor injuries or temporary bruising during exercise and training. However, the unsightly appearance and discoloration of nails can actually conceal an underlying health problem.
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Dr. Dana Canuso[/caption]
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
If you notice that your nails have turned purple, this could be due to an internal hematoma or bruising under your nail.
[caption id="attachment_4283" align="alignleft" width="331"]
Dr. Miguel Cunha[/caption]
"Tiny blood vessels bleed underneath the nail, darkening it," according to podiatrist Miguel Cunha, and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York. This can happen either from an injury, due to a heavy object falling on it or even due to it being trapped by a hard or sharp surface.
This can happen either from an injury, due to a heavy object falling on it or even due to it being trapped by a hard or sharp surface. When this type of injury occurs, there are two options.
You can let your nail grow out and be naturally shed by a new, healthy keratin surface over time. The only downside is that you will have to wait several months, as our nails grow only one millimeter each month. The other option is to have it removed by a doctor. This solution is usually chosen when the pain makes the situation unbearable, which can sometimes happen if the pressure of accumulated blood under the nail plate is extensive and excessive.
Purple nails can also indicate a circulatory problem, which "causes the nail to receive less oxygen than it needs," as Canuso explains. "Because the tissue may not be getting the blood it needs, pain may occur in the toe or nail." To treat these symptoms, the cause of the circulatory problem must be identified, which requires a visit to your doctor.
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
Yellow or brown nails can be caused "by a respiratory or lymphatic system problem, although they more often occur due to complications of diabetes or even more frequently due to fungal infections," says Canuso.
In the case of a fungal infection, the nail is also thick and brittle and ends up in this form when one or more nails have been affected by the microscopic organism, which usually thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments, according to Cunha.
The inside of shoes is a perfect environment for hosting fungal organisms. This condition often starts as a skin infection, also known as athlete's foot. As the nail fungus penetrates deeper into the nail, it can cause discoloration, a thicker, rigid nail layer, and crumbly edges.
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and a biopsy may be taken by the doctor to assess the seriousness of the condition.
Prescription oral treatment may be needed for a more severe infection, according to Cunha. Laser nail treatment is an alternative, in which a beam of light passes through the nail, killing the fungus without causing damage to the nail or surrounding tissues.
image credits: pinterest .com[/caption]
Leukonychia, white spots or lines on your nails can indicate various problems.
White lines can appear if there is repetitive pressure or trauma to the nail, for example, if a runner wears shoes that are too small and the toe keeps hitting the top of the shoe," Cunha explains. White spots then form if the injury is not severe enough to break a blood vessel, which would make the nail dark and bruised.
Leukonychia can also result from a zinc deficiency. If the nail is completely white or there are scattered white lines along it, this can mean anemia or protein deficiency. If the white spots are caused by injury, try taking a nail-strengthening vitamin like biotin to improve hair, skin, and nails, and of course, you should abstain from the traumatic activity for some time. Again, you will need to wait until the new, healthy nail grows out.
If you are concerned about anemia, also watch for other symptoms, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. "These can be symptoms of protein deficiency or anemia and you should consult your doctor," according to Canuso.
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
Completely black nails can have many causes, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, or liver diseases. But the most common reason for discoloration is usually trauma," Canuso informs us.
Simply by stumbling over an obstacle, as often happens to us, we can injure our nail, with the bruising turning black if it is more serious.
If this happens, you will need to wait for the entire nail to grow out before the discoloration disappears, which can take 6 to 9 months.
If your nail is not black, but you see a black line running through it, then the most common cause is a condition called "linear melanonychia".
This condition occurs when pigments in the nails known as melanocytes cause excessive local pigmentation, causing the dark color we see in our nails, according to Cunha.
PLT. €7.20 SHOP
The balm from the Greek flora is the oil with the most powerful action for wounds and inflammations. Camphor rosemary has analgesic properties, improving circulation and causing local hyperemia.
Atlantic cedar offers unique moisturizing action, with significant disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, restorative, and healing properties. It maintains the balance in cell repair while stimulating the synthesis of keratinocytes in the epidermis.
Peppermint protects against itching and discomfort, in turn having a strong anti-inflammatory action.
The essential oil of maritime pine, together with cedar, creates a powerful combination that enhances faster healing and regeneration of wounds.
For all these reasons, in addition to regularly observing your nails, you can be smart and preemptively protect your toes, especially during exercise, running, and long training sessions at the gym.
Dr. Dana Canuso[/caption]
According to Dr. Dana Canuso, Podiatrist, Surgeon and founder of Dr. Canuso Skincare in America, who spoke to Men’s Health, "a normal, healthy nail surface has a smooth, rosy hue and a hard, durable yet thin 'plate' that does not break or wear down with the slightest resistance".
[big]We have prepared a guide to inform you about what a change in your nail color might mean for your health:[/big]Nail colors and their conditions
- If your nails are purple
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
If you notice that your nails have turned purple, this could be due to an internal hematoma or bruising under your nail.
[caption id="attachment_4283" align="alignleft" width="331"] Dr. Miguel Cunha[/caption]
"Tiny blood vessels bleed underneath the nail, darkening it," according to podiatrist Miguel Cunha, and founder of Gotham Footcare in New York. This can happen either from an injury, due to a heavy object falling on it or even due to it being trapped by a hard or sharp surface.
This can happen either from an injury, due to a heavy object falling on it or even due to it being trapped by a hard or sharp surface. When this type of injury occurs, there are two options.
You can let your nail grow out and be naturally shed by a new, healthy keratin surface over time. The only downside is that you will have to wait several months, as our nails grow only one millimeter each month. The other option is to have it removed by a doctor. This solution is usually chosen when the pain makes the situation unbearable, which can sometimes happen if the pressure of accumulated blood under the nail plate is extensive and excessive.
Purple nails can also indicate a circulatory problem, which "causes the nail to receive less oxygen than it needs," as Canuso explains. "Because the tissue may not be getting the blood it needs, pain may occur in the toe or nail." To treat these symptoms, the cause of the circulatory problem must be identified, which requires a visit to your doctor.
- If your nails are yellow or brown
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
Yellow or brown nails can be caused "by a respiratory or lymphatic system problem, although they more often occur due to complications of diabetes or even more frequently due to fungal infections," says Canuso.
In the case of a fungal infection, the nail is also thick and brittle and ends up in this form when one or more nails have been affected by the microscopic organism, which usually thrives in dark, moist, and warm environments, according to Cunha.
The inside of shoes is a perfect environment for hosting fungal organisms. This condition often starts as a skin infection, also known as athlete's foot. As the nail fungus penetrates deeper into the nail, it can cause discoloration, a thicker, rigid nail layer, and crumbly edges.
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and a biopsy may be taken by the doctor to assess the seriousness of the condition.
Prescription oral treatment may be needed for a more severe infection, according to Cunha. Laser nail treatment is an alternative, in which a beam of light passes through the nail, killing the fungus without causing damage to the nail or surrounding tissues.
- If your nail is white or has white spots
image credits: pinterest .com[/caption]
Leukonychia, white spots or lines on your nails can indicate various problems.
White lines can appear if there is repetitive pressure or trauma to the nail, for example, if a runner wears shoes that are too small and the toe keeps hitting the top of the shoe," Cunha explains. White spots then form if the injury is not severe enough to break a blood vessel, which would make the nail dark and bruised.
Leukonychia can also result from a zinc deficiency. If the nail is completely white or there are scattered white lines along it, this can mean anemia or protein deficiency. If the white spots are caused by injury, try taking a nail-strengthening vitamin like biotin to improve hair, skin, and nails, and of course, you should abstain from the traumatic activity for some time. Again, you will need to wait until the new, healthy nail grows out.
If you are concerned about anemia, also watch for other symptoms, such as fatigue or muscle weakness. "These can be symptoms of protein deficiency or anemia and you should consult your doctor," according to Canuso.
- If your nails are black
image credits: pinterest.com[/caption]
Completely black nails can have many causes, such as vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney problems, or liver diseases. But the most common reason for discoloration is usually trauma," Canuso informs us.
Simply by stumbling over an obstacle, as often happens to us, we can injure our nail, with the bruising turning black if it is more serious.
If this happens, you will need to wait for the entire nail to grow out before the discoloration disappears, which can take 6 to 9 months.
If your nail is not black, but you see a black line running through it, then the most common cause is a condition called "linear melanonychia".
This condition occurs when pigments in the nails known as melanocytes cause excessive local pigmentation, causing the dark color we see in our nails, according to Cunha.
Toe Protective Tube
Because prevention is the best tactic to avoid facing any of these conditions, in addition to a balanced diet that provides you with all the necessary nutrients for healthy nail growth, you can also protect them and aid their regeneration by covering them from the possibility of infection and fungi. [big]The protective toe tube with organic essential oils from Christou1910 , wraps the toes like a soft film, protecting them from the moist environment of our shoes, continuous pressure, and friction that cause these micro-injuries. Infused with a therapeutic combination of medical-grade organic essential oils, the tube creates a cooling and clean sensation with powerful antifungal action, providing a natural solution to the problem of foot odor, athlete's foot, and lichen fungus. Simultaneously, the essential oils nourish, regenerate, and strengthen the nails, making them more resistant to the risks of infection. [/big]
PLT. €7.20 SHOP
The balm from the Greek flora is the oil with the most powerful action for wounds and inflammations. Camphor rosemary has analgesic properties, improving circulation and causing local hyperemia.
Atlantic cedar offers unique moisturizing action, with significant disinfectant, anti-inflammatory, restorative, and healing properties. It maintains the balance in cell repair while stimulating the synthesis of keratinocytes in the epidermis.
Peppermint protects against itching and discomfort, in turn having a strong anti-inflammatory action.
The essential oil of maritime pine, together with cedar, creates a powerful combination that enhances faster healing and regeneration of wounds.
For all these reasons, in addition to regularly observing your nails, you can be smart and preemptively protect your toes, especially during exercise, running, and long training sessions at the gym.
