Tag Archive for: nails

Tips for Nail Health

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We decorate them, paint them, and use them daily, but how do we keep our nails healthy? Brittle or fragile nails affect up to 20% of the population. This can be due to age, environmental factors, pregnancy, repeated trauma, medications, and much more! Fragile nails can lead to breakage, splitting, flaking, and chipping. In this blog post I’ll be discussing some Dos and Don’ts of nail care to ensure you keep your nails healthy and strong.

How do our nails grow?

Our nails are composed of multiple layers of tightly packed protein, called keratin, which grows from the nail matrix, an area at the base of the nail below the cuticle. Fingernails grow about 2-3mm per month, with our toenails growing about 1-2mm per month. The rate of their growth is dependent on many factors including age, gender, season, dominant hand, and medications to name a few. Did you know your nails tend to have accelerated growth during the summer months? Keep reading for some tips to keep your nails healthy and strong.

5 Dos of Promoting Healthy Nails

  1. Keep the nails short: Trimming the nails regularly decreases the risk of trauma to the nail. It is best to cut your nails almost straight across to help protect against ingrown nails. Use a nail file to round the corners to prevent them from snagging onto things and breaking. Tip: If your nails become thick and difficult to cut, soak them in warm water for a few minutes or trim them after getting out of the shower.
  2. Keep the nails clean and dry: Ensuring you keep your hands, feet, and nails dry can prevent splitting of the nails.  Keeping them clean helps prevent bacteria from accumulating underneath the nails. Tip: Wear rubber gloves when doing wet work.
  3. Keep the nails moisturized: This helps nails remain flexible and protects against splitting or damage. Soaps and household cleansers can dehydrate the hands and nails, so wearing protective gloves while performing household tasks and applying moisturizers are beneficial.
  4. Wear properly fitted footwear: Wearing the correct size footwear helps prevent injury to the toenails due to trauma from the front of the shoe. Alternating which shoes are worn can reduce repeated injury.
  5. Take a break between nail polish uses: Acetone-containing nail polish removers can dehydrate the nail plate. Allowing 1-2 weeks between manicures allows the nails time to recover. Use this break to rehydrate your nails with moisturizers. Despite the effect nail polish remover can have, don’t pick nail polish off as this can damage the nail.

5 Don’ts of Promoting Nail Health

  1. Do not cut your cuticles: The cuticle acts as a protective barrier to the nail matrix; it is inadvisable to cut the cuticle as it allows a route for bacteria to enter.
  2. Do not bite your fingernails: Nail biting is harmful; it can introduce bacteria, increasing the risk of infection. Additionally, biting nails may be harmful and damaging to your teeth.
  3. Do not use harsh chemicals on the nails: Harsh chemicals can damage nails, making them more prone to breakage. TIP: Choose an acetone-free polish remover to avoid further drying of the nail.
  4. Do not use the nails as a tool: Whether opening a can or scraping something off, using your nails to perform activities intended for tools can cause trauma and damage.
  5. Do not remove hangnails or ingrown nails: When removing a hangnail or ingrown nail improperly, you run the risk of causing further damage. Tearing off a hangnail or unearthing an ingrown nail can injure normal skin and introduce bacteria. Hangnails should be gently clipped with a clean scissor or nail clipper, while the removal of an ingrown nail should be managed by a dermatologist or podiatrist.

When to consult a Dermatologist

The condition of your nails can provide clues about your overall health. Changes in nail appearance or health may signal an underlying illness. If you notice any of the following, make an appointment with us for further evaluation:

  1. Change in color of the nail: Whether the nail begins to appear white, yellow, green, or black, this could be an indication of an underlying pathology, including infection, anemia, lack of circulation, or even skin cancer.
  2. Changes in the shape of the nail, including thinning or thickening: Alterations in the thickness or shape of the nails can be due to many conditions such as psoriasis, abnormal thyroid function, circulation or respiratory problems, signs of inadequate nutrition, and gastrointestinal disease, among others.
  3. Indentations, grooves, or any other changes to the nail surface: You may experience transverse lines, longitudinal ridging, pitting, or small dents of the nails. These can be associated with psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia, lichen planus, or a prior systemic illness or stress.
  4. Separation of the nail from the surrounding skin: If the nail begins to lift and separate from the surrounding skin, this could be attributed to underlying mechanisms such as infection, tumors, psoriasis, or injury to the nail.
  5. Pain or swelling surrounding the nail: Developing redness, tenderness, and swelling around the nail can indicate there is an infection in the area that needs to be addressed.
  6. Failure of the nail to grow: Lack of nail growth can be due to various etiologies including injury, nutritional deficiencies, psoriasis, lichen planus, or advanced age.

Taking care of your nails is more than just aesthetics, it’s an important part of your overall health. By adopting habits like proper trimming, regular moisturizing, and avoiding harsh chemicals, you can keep your nails in top condition. With the right care and attention, you can maintain nails that are not only healthy and functional but also a source of confidence and style.

 

 

 

References:

  1. Bolognia JL, Cerroni L, Schaffer JV. Biology of Nails. In: Dermatology. 4th ed. Elsevier Science Health Science; 2017.
  2. Chessa MA, Iorizzo M, Richert B, et al. Pathogenesis, clinical signs and treatment recommendations in Brittle Nails: A Review. Dermatology and Therapy. 2019;10(1):15-27. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-00338-x
  3. Draelos ZD. Understanding and Treating Brittle Nails. Cosmetic Dermatology. 2009;22(12).
  4. Garbers LE, Miola AC, Dias PC, Miot LD, Miot HA, Schmitt JV. Efficacy of 2.5 mg oral biotin versus 5% topical minoxidil in increasing nail growth rate. Experimental Dermatology. 2021;30(9):1322-1323. doi:10.1111/exd.14316
  5. How to trim your nails. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed December 11, 2024.https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/how-to-trim-nails#:~:text=To%20properly%20trim%20your%20nails%2C%20dermatologists%20recommend%20the%20following%20tips,few%20minutes%20to%20soften%20them.
  6. Tips for healthy nails. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/healthy-nail-tips

Skin Changes that Signal Heart Problems

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By Laura Monaghan, PA-C

While the stores are full of heart-shaped candies and flowery greeting cards, February is also a time to talk about heart health—and not just the Mediterranean diet and exercise routines.  Did you know that the first signs of an underlying heart condition might be in your skin?

Your skin can serve as a window into your overall health and give signs as to what may be going on inside. For example, it becomes dry when we are dehydrated, pale when we lack iron, and yellow from liver disease. Did you know that it can also show signs about potential heart health problems? This American Heart Month, we want you to be aware of what your skin is telling you about your cardiovascular health.

Changes in Skin that Signal Heart Issues

Swelling of Lower Extremities

When monitoring cardiovascular health on the surface, one sign to look for is swelling of the lower extremities, such as your feet, ankles, and lower legs. Over time, chronic swelling can lead to thickened skin, brawny discoloration, and even ulcers, which can be a sign of heart failure. This is when the heart does not pump enough blood to the body. It could also be a sign of chronic venous insufficiency, which is when the veins are unable to sufficiently carry blood against gravity in the legs. Anecdotally, this is one of the most common signs of cardiovascular disease we see in dermatology.

Yellow Bumps Around Eyes

Another potential sign of cardiovascular disease is the development of yellow waxy bumps in the skin, especially on the upper eyelids, called xanthelasma. Xanthelasma bumps are made up of cholesterol deposits. They can indicate elevated blood cholesterol levels, which lead to plaque buildup in blood vessels, blocked arteries, and increased risk for heart attack. Almost half of all patients with xanthelasma have abnormal lipid levels and many also have diabetes or thyroid abnormalities.

Fingers & Nails

Swollen fingers with clubbing, or downturned nails, can be a sign of a lack of oxygen due to cardiac infection, heart, or lung disease. Skin that is turning blue or purple in color, especially with swelling or a mottled pattern, can indicate an underlying blood clot.

Bumps and Lesions on Hands and Feet

Painful bumps and painless red hemorrhagic lesions on the hands and feet, called Osler nodes and Janeway lesions, can be a signs of endocarditis. Endocarditis is inflammation of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves most commonly due to bacterial or fungal infection. Red or purple lines under the nails, called splinter hemorrhages, can also be a sign of endocarditis when paired with a fever and irregular heartbeat.

Psoriasis

Finally, psoriasis, which can present as silvery-white plaques with underlying redness, nail pitting, or psoriatic arthritis is also associated with heart disease. The inflammation from psoriasis can affect the heart; individuals with psoriasis are more likely to have metabolic syndrome, a combination of elevated blood glucose levels, high blood pressure, increased abdominal fat, and high cholesterol.

Signs of Cardiovascular Problems in Children

Another thing to keep in mind is that children can also be at risk of cardiovascular health problems and have their own signs to be aware of. The combination of a sore throat, fever, and a red rash called erythema marginatum can indicate Rheumatic fever. This is a leading cause of heart disease in children resulting from untreated strep throat. Additionally, a very high fever with swollen, cracked, bleeding lips/mouth can indicate Kawasaki disease, which causes blood vessel inflammation that can affect the heart.

Be aware of what your body is telling you, and if you or your sweetheart notice any of these signs, consult with your primary care provider or dermatologist. While keeping up with all the potential problems and concerns can sometimes feel overwhelming, your dermatologist can help you manage your health with annual skin checks. The best Valentine’s gift is good health!

 

 

 

Sources: 

Heart disease: 12 warning signs that appear on your skin. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/heart-disease-warning-signs

National Psoriasis Foundation. (n.d.). What we know about psoriasis and heart disease. What We Are Learning About Psoriasis and Heart Disease. https://www.psoriasis.org/advance/what-we-know-about-psoriasis-and-heart-disease-part2/