Purple tint nails causes. Video: Diagnosis by nails. Nail discoloration options and comorbidities

Healthy nails speak of good health and a satisfactory state of health. They have a peach or pale pink color, even and smooth. At the rear edge there is a white nail roller. If it happens abrupt change the color of the nail, this can be a sign of a disease of both the nails themselves and the whole organism as a whole. They can change their color only on the hands or only on the legs, and as a result of some diseases, the color of the nails on the hands and feet also changes.

Causes of color change

A change in the color of the nail is called dyschromia. Nails can change their color as a result various diseases. In this case, both the shape and relief of the nail, and its color throughout the nail plate or in its individual sections, may suffer.

The reasons for this may be:

• fungal infections of the nails, toenails are more likely to suffer, but hands can also be affected;
• atopic dermatitis, allergic lesions;
• manifestations of diabetes;
• manifestations of jaundice;
• nail injuries with the formation of hematomas;
• dermatosis, psoriasis;
• bacterial infections;
• taking certain medications;
• chronic diseases of the lungs or heart with tissue hypoxia;
• kidney disease;
• smoking.

Nail diseases

Changing the appearance of fingernails or toenails can tell a lot about a person's health. Nail disease can be caused by a fungal infection or more dangerous reasons. The nail is easily damaged, then it darkens and sometimes comes off. However, if the nails have changed color, texture, shape or thickness for an unknown reason, you should consult a doctor. Here are the most likely reasons.

Nails exfoliate

Nails often exfoliate in older people, this is the result of their aging. In addition, brittle nails are often simply related to prolonged exposure to water or chemical substances such as cleaning products 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 for all work involving water and corrosive substances.

Sometimes brittle or brittle nails can be caused by the following reasons:

• nail fungus that can be treated antifungal drug in tablets (especially often this is the cause of brittle toenails);
• lichen planus, a skin disease that sometimes affects only the nails;
• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism - dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that also affects the nails.

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

Nail color change

Nails yellow color usually talk about a fungal infection or psoriasis. Also, yellowing of the nails can have the following reasons:

• frequent use of nail polish;
• lymphedema is a chronic disease, edematous skin;
• bronchiectasis - a chronic irreversible lung disease;
• sinusitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses);
• thyroiditis - inflammation of the thyroid gland;
• tuberculosis - dangerous infection 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 roller.

Black and green nail color- green nail syndrome or onychia pseudomonas. This is a bacterial disease of the nails, caused by the reproduction in the thickness of the nail and under it Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Peeling, loose nails, which are easy to exfoliate, are most likely to be affected by bacterial infection. The infection can be treated by applying antibiotic eye drops under the nails or by soaking the affected nails in antiseptic solution or vinegar.

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

brown nails occur in diseases of the thyroid gland, pregnancy, exhaustion, and are also found in people who often use nail polish.

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

half white, half brown nails(at the ends) occur in renal failure, when the kidneys stop working normally. The reason for this discoloration of the nails is not entirely clear, but one theory is that kidney failure causes the change. chemical composition blood, stimulating the release of melanin (skin pigment) into the nail bed. It is also possible that kidney failure leads to an increase in the number of small blood vessels under the nails, which are visible through the nail plate. According to some estimates, up to 40% of people with kidney failure have "two-tone" nails. A similar color of the nails may be associated with AIDS or a course of chemotherapy.

white nails. If most of the nail has turned white, but the nail is firmly seated in the nail bed, the cause is most likely 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 conditions, including the following:

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

Stripes on nails

Appearance white dots or streaks on the nails normal and not a cause for concern, but parallel white lines across the entire nail (Murcke lines) indicate low blood protein. It can be caused by liver disease or malnutrition.

Dark stripes along the nails in people with dark skin- Not unusual. They occur in more than 77% of black people over the age of 20 and are harmless in most cases. However, they should not be ignored, especially for Europeans: sometimes dark stripes indicate a type of skin cancer that occurs in the nail bed - subungual melanoma. Therefore, it is worth consulting a doctor to exclude this possibility. Usually, subungual melanoma affects only one nail. In addition, then the band may change (for example, expand or darken over time), and pigmentation may spread to the skin around it (the nail crease). Read more about melanoma and its diagnosis.

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

Nail deformation

A common cause of thickened nails is a fungal infection, which can also cause them to change color and become brittle. Other possible reasons thickening or overgrowth of nails:

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

Onychogryphosis

Very thick nails resembling claws or pebbles. Sometimes the nails thumbs legs grow and thicken so that they resemble claws, and it is almost impossible to cut them off 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 regular pedicure, but in some cases, the nails have to be removed by a doctor.

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

• Iron-deficiency anemia;
• hemochromatosis - excess iron in the body;
• Raynaud's disease - a common disease that disrupts the circulation of 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.

Dimples 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, recurrent hair loss small areas heads.

Wavy nails (Bo furrows). 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:

• an illness that started a few months ago;
• chemotherapy;
• past trauma;
• impact very low temperatures with Raynaud's disease.

Due to illness, injury, or cold, the nail may stop growing, and furrows may form at its base. Usually nails become wavy only a few months later, when the nail grows back and the furrows are higher. A fingernail fully grows in four to six months, and a toenail in 6–12 months.

"Drumsticks" and "watch glasses"- this is a thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers, in which the tissue under the nails coarsens, and the tips of the fingers become round. Nails grow over rounded fingertips and become characteristic appearance round glasses. It is believed that the reason for this phenomenon is an increase in blood flow to the fingertips. Sometimes this deformation of the nails is only a hereditary feature. 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, bronchial asthma or endocarditis;
• inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
• cancer of the stomach or intestines;
• liver damage (cirrhosis);
• polycythemia is a disease in which the blood becomes very thick.

Diagnostic methods

At the first sign of color change nail plate you need to see a dermatologist, a nail specialist. Diagnosis in this case comes down to an external examination and the appointment of examinations aimed at finding out the cause that led to dyschromia. In this case, the patient may need to consult narrow specialists:

• Neurologist.

A survey of the patient is mandatory, 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 of concomitant diseases, find out if there were any Lately injury to the nail plate. In addition, a number of surveys are required. As a rule, the following tests are prescribed.

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

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

Treatment Methods

The basis of treatment is the elimination of the cause that caused the damage to the nails. Usually new nail grows back in 12-20 months.

If it is a fungal infection, then complex treatment local and systemic action. Preparations are selected according to 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 is to use 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 methods of treatment is indicated. In this case, the complete removal of the affected nail plate is performed. After the operation, a course of taking antifungal drugs is prescribed.

Treatment of subungual hematoma, as a result of which the nail becomes purple or black, is a simple operation. With the help of a sterile instrument, the nail is punctured and the blood accumulated under it is released.

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

Upon detection endocrine disorders corrective treatment is prescribed by the endocrinologist. If the examination revealed diseases internal organs, special treatment is required.

In the event that the cause of yellowing of the nail is smoking, the only possible treatment will be a complete rejection of bad habits.

Forecast and prevention

Prevention of changes in the color of the nail is to maintain overall health. It is necessary to strive to lead as much as possible healthy lifestyle life, regularly undergo preventive medical examinations. When identifying diseases, carefully follow all the appointments of specialists.

It is important to properly care for the nail plates, avoid injuries, and carefully manicure. If possible, avoid trimmed manicure, as the risk of infection is high during this procedure. It is very important to use individual tools for nail treatment, and when undergoing procedures in nail salons require the master to sterilize the instruments.

It is highly advisable to quit smoking, as this addiction is not only unhealthy, but can also cause unnatural nail color.

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

According to Tibetan medicine, nails are a by-product of bones.
Look at the size, shape, surface and outline of your nails.
See also if they are flexible, soft, delicate or brittle, easily
breaking.

If the nails are dry, hooked, rough, break easily, which means that the wind prevails in the body.

When the nails are soft, pink, delicate, easy to bend and slightly shiny, then bile predominates in the body.

If the nails are thick, strong, soft, highly shiny, with the same contour, then mucus predominates.

long lines on nails
indicate poor absorption of food in the digestive system.
Cross grooves on the nails indicate poor nutrition or
advanced diseases.

Sometimes the nails are protruding, convex, bulbous, similar to drumsticks.. This condition of the nails indicates weakness of the heart and lungs.

When the nail is spoon-shaped and concave enough to hold a drop of water This indicates an iron deficiency.

white spots on the nail indicate a lack of zinc or calcium.

Nail coloration may indicate specific disorders.

If the moon is a crescent at the base of the nail (blue means violations in the liver; red sign of heart failure).

Pale nail color
indicates anemia. Excessive redness of the nails indicates excess
red blood cells. Yellow nails indicate liver weakness or
for jaundice. blue nails speak of a weak heart and lungs.

white dots
on the ring finger indicate calcium deposits in the kidneys. If
there are white dots on index finger, it speaks of the accumulation
calcium in the lungs.

Each finger has a connection with a specific organ. Thumb associated with the brain and skull, and pointing- with lungs. Middle finger associated with the small intestine nameless- with kidneys, and little finger- with heart.

IN ancient China primary diagnostics was carried out according to the condition of the nails and points on the body.

Currently, this method has become very popular, as it can be done independently.

You yourself can diagnose yourself and your loved ones and identify the disorders that have begun in the body.

look
carefully on your nails. You will see that the holes have become much thinner,
than before or even completely disappeared. Only on the thumbs of the hole everything
even bigger and lighter.

Heavy smokers or people
who have lung problems, the sockets will be small and thin.
Oriental medicine, by the way, believes that if a person does not have a hole in
thumb, so he is not all right with his head. At the main
masses of people still have a hole on the thumb, but how is it with
others?

It is believed that the index finger reflects the state
large intestine. If the hole on it has significantly decreased or even
missing, need to turn Special attention on the condition of the intestines,
liver and pancreas. Inflammatory processes And
gynecological diseases are also reflected in the nail holes
index fingers.

Nails
middle finger are responsible for blood and vascular system. If
the hole on the nail of the middle finger is missing, the person has problems
With blood pressure, veins and capillaries.

Hole on the nail
ring finger reflects work endocrine system. Lack of hole
on the nail of this finger speaks of metabolic disorders and problems with
lymphatic system.

Holes on the nails of the smallest finger
responsible for the condition of the heart and small intestine. That's why with
with age, it is the little finger hole that disappears first. Small intestine
slagged and as a result the hole disappears. All this leads to
disturbances in the work of the endocrine system (the hole of the nameless
finger), negative changes can not withstand the heart (the hole disappears on
nail of the middle finger), and the last to surrender is the large intestine.

Nail diagnostics:

1 - normal shape of the nail.
2 - short, flat nail - organic heart disease.
3 - big size crescent - tachycardia.
4 - absence of the crescent - neurosis of the heart.
5 - large convex nail - pulmonary tuberculosis.
6 - a convex nail with a large crescent - a congenital form of tuberculosis.
7 - flat curved nail - bronchial asthma.
8 - tubular high nail - a harbinger of possible oncology.
9 - club-shaped nail phalanx - congenital forms mental disorders, rigidity, aggressiveness.
10- concave nail - hereditary forms alcoholism.

11 - flattened-crushed nail - helminthic invasion.
12 - brittle grooves on the nail - lime deposits ..
13 - slag (salt) layers on the nail - acute diseases gastrointestinal tract.
14 - elongated nail - diabetes mellitus.
15 - nail of the ring finger in the form of a semicircle - pathology of the kidneys
16 - almond-shaped veins (waves) on the nail - rheumatism.
17 - bitten nail - neurosis, gastritis, sexual dysfunction in women.
18 - stripes and inclusions on the nail - diseases of the spleen and small intestine.
19 - stripes on the nail - intestinal diseases.
20 - triangular nail- diseases of the spine and spinal cord.
21 - perforated nail - pathology of the spleen.
22 - flat nail with an elevation on the index finger - pathology of the spleen.

Diagnostic signs by nail color

pink nail- in a healthy person.

yellow coloration is a sign of liver disease.

bright red about erythremia.

bluish purple occurs with congenital heart defects.

White spots on nails, then, perhaps, a violation of the activity of the central nervous system.

And yellowish spots on the nails may be signs of brain dysfunction.

bluish- cardiovascular pathology.

pale nails, flat or curved, with longitudinal grooves- a sign of anemia - anemia, lack of iron and vitamins.

White may be with damage to the adrenal cortex (Addison's disease).

Pale pink, transparent- changes in the blood, anemia.

milky white- with cirrhosis of the liver,

black- with thrombosis of the brachial artery and diabetic gangrene.

gray during an attack of malaria.

bluish white- it is necessary to see a neuropathologist and a gastroenterologist.

Bluish (cyanotic) nails
- this is one of the symptoms of heart or lung failure,
due to lack of oxygen in the blood. Often accompanied
shortness of breath and weakness.

Nail color change can be caused by nicotine, liver and gallbladder problems, infectious diseases.

bluish or greenish color skin at the base thumb - digestive problems

Nails don't grow well You need to see an endocrinologist. Such changes occur in thyroid disease.

Brittleness and brittleness of nails—
it is a lack of minerals such as iron, calcium, and
vitamins B and D. It is the signal of the body that requires
short-term use of special drugs to prevent more
serious illnesses.

Years of research have shown that
nails reflect early appearance any disease. They carry
information about future diseases long before the onset of symptoms.

The shape and structure of the nails.

Fig.1
Nails enlarged, protruding (like a watch glass) - may be a sign
respiratory, cardiac or hepatic chronic disease.

Fig.2
Nails brittle and thin, concave, spoon-like (koilonychias) -
sign of violation mineral metabolism, skin problems, anemia, diseases
thyroid, it also indicates an iron deficiency.

Fig.3
Transverse recessed stripes (Beau's line) - during temporary deceleration
nail growth rate. And the transverse grooves on the nails indicate a bad
unbalanced diet or advanced diseases.

Fig.4
Longitudinal grooves - predisposition to rheumatism, problems with
intestines, poor digestion leading to gas, poor
digestion of food, a feeling of general fatigue, irregularity
menstruation, sexual weakness, depression, nervousness, insomnia, etc.
P.

Fig. 5 Absence of a hole on all the nails of the hand - a lack of vitamin B-12, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, neurosis is possible.

Fig. 6 A greatly enlarged hole on all nails of the hand - cardiac weakness.

Fig. 7 Perforated nail - a violation of the spleen or pancreas.

Fig.8
The nail is flat, split at the end - typical in the presence of worms.
Medically speaking, this is "helminthic invasion", "enterobiosis" and so on.

Fig. 9 White transverse strokes - lack of zinc or calcium.

Fig. 10 Red hole - indicates cardiovascular, autoimmune or endocrine problems, rheumatic diseases.

Additional Features

long lines on nails-bad
absorption of food in the digestive system, inflammation in
gastrointestinal tract, in addition, it signals a lack
vitamin B12 and iron. It is also a signal of reduced function
liver and kidneys - which can cause a feeling of general fatigue;

short flat nail
- characteristic of people with organic heart disease, which
expressed in sensitivity to "stuffiness", rejection of heat, physical
fatigue;

big half moon- tachycardia;

lack of a crescent-characteristic of neurosis of the heart;

elongated nail- observed in diabetes mellitus.

nail of the ring finger in the form of a semicircle- characteristic of various pathologies kidneys;

stripes and blotches on the nail- Manifested in diseases of the spleen and small intestine;

triangular nails- characteristic of persons with diseases of the spine and spinal cord;

growths at the end of the nails- chronic lung infection;

brittle nails
- a sign of an insufficient amount of iron or vitamin A in the body,
dysfunctions of the thyroid gland, kidneys and poor blood supply;

lack of holes- neurosis of the heart, insufficiency and circulatory disorders;

holes blue color - a sign of violations of the liver;

holes in red- a symptom of heart failure;

badass—
this is a signal of a lack of proteins, vitamin C and folic acid. Cause
this may be either insufficient use or their poor
digestibility;

exfoliating nails- a signal of energy depletion digestive system, about disturbances in blood circulation, sexual and nervous systems.

Many diseases can be
identified by nails. Remember that you cannot use only one of
diagnostic methods, it is necessary to compare three or four methods, and only
after that, draw conclusions.

By the way, if we look at
nails of our grandparents, we will be very surprised - the state of their holes
may be better than that of children or even grandchildren. Matter of today
lifestyle, malnutrition and bad ecology. Our position
unenviable, but there is still good news - if you follow the principles
healthy lifestyle, all moons will gradually return to their
legal place.

Start with the simplest cleansing of the body and maintaining the organ system that is most vulnerable in you.

The condition of human nails is a kind of newsletter about our health. It is updated every 6 months.

It is during this time (about six months) that the nail plate is completely updated, and therefore, when you see some significant changes unusual for your nails, think: is it time to visit therapist? Especially if, in addition to the appearance of the nails, something else causes concern.

But do not go to extremes, because nails can also acquire an unhealthy appearance for their own “personal” reasons independent of the body: poor-quality nail polish, acetone-based nail polish remover, etc. But in any case, it will be useful to test your nails. So…

Nail color change is important factor diagnostics and analysis. Color healthy nails- pink, what can a change in color mean?

Bluish or purple nails

This shade may indicate a lack of oxygen in the body. Also, the so-called cyanotic shade may indicate infectious disease lungs. But if the nail turns blue at the base, donate blood “for sugar” - this is one of the signs diabetes. But most often, a bluish-purple tint is acquired by nails in people with cardiovascular diseases.

yellow nails

Most often, the nails acquire a yellowish tint due to a fungal infection. Other evidence of infection progression is that the nails thicken and begin to crumble, and the nail bed flakes off. Sometimes this color of nails is very serious reasons: diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, thyroid disease, liver problems, or gallbladder. A greenish-yellow tint of nails occurs with congenital malformations and purulent processes in the body.

Another reason that the nails turn yellow - alcoholism. Moreover, the darker the nails become (changing the natural color up to brown), the more susceptible the person is to harmful influence green snake.

White nails with dark stripes at the base

This type of nails can be acquired with existing problems with the liver, for example, cirrhosis, hepatitis. In some cases, nails acquire this appearance against the background of melanoma (one of the forms of skin oncology).

spots and lines

Dotted white dots on the surface of the nail - sure sign lack of calcium in the body. If the nails appeared a large number of white spots, this may be one of the evidence of violations of the central nervous system; yellow - the work of the brain. If the lines are white and located vertically, then there may be problems with the intestines, and horizontal ones - perhaps the person has recently suffered a serious illness.

Faded nails

Healthy young nails are pink, but the loss of color can be associated with aging or be a sign of diseases such as heart failure, anemia, liver disease. But if there are no above reasons, then perhaps the reason is a poor-quality, vitamin-poor diet.

Ribbed nails

Such deformation can be caused by the appearance of diseases such as psoriasis (this inflammatory skin disease in 20% of cases begins with damage to the nails) or arthritis (in this case, the nails also become discolored, the skin under them acquires a reddish tint).

Swelling of the nail fold

Swollen and reddened skin around the nail often accompanies a number of autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus.

If nails grow slowly

This feature of the nails should also alert, since slow nail growth, in combination with other signs, may indicate an exacerbation of chronic diseases or genetic predisposition to any disease (endocrine diseases are diagnosed here more often than others).

But there is also good news: slowing down the growth of nails is one of the signs of pregnancy.

Flaky, brittle nails

These problems can speak volumes, but above all about poor quality care for hands and nails, frequent use detergents without appropriate hand protection (i.e., without gloves). This condition of the nails is also an indicator that the body lacks certain vitamins, micro-, macroelements. Often you need to balance the diet, exclude from it products with preservatives, artificial colors and food additives, and everything will work out, including nails.

Biting your nails?

Questions from readers

October 18, 2013, 17:25 Good evening! Help me please. Got my nails done 2 months ago. a week after the extension, on the nail (little finger) appeared bright spot. I thought that air got under the tips. But when I took off the extended nails, it became clear that the nail was half gone !! I didn't hit anywhere. Tell me, please, what can it be? And how to treat it? Thanks a lot.

Consider the time of year

Yes, on appearance nails reflects a lack of vitamin D in the body, which we mainly get from the sun. That is why in summer and autumn nails can have more healthy look than in winter, and especially in early spring, when spring beriberi makes itself felt. But you also need to know that summer time the nail plate loses moisture and dries out. Therefore, it is necessary to moisturize it with high-quality cosmetics for nails and consume a sufficient amount of seasonal vitamins.

The beauty of nails is primarily in their health! Therefore, do not "paint over" problem nails colored varnishes (even high-quality ones) and even more so to build them up.

Nail diseases always indicate the presence of serious diseases. A healthy nail plate is a flat surface, without any white spots, stripes or inclusions. Changes in the color of nails bring discomfort to a person's life, and significantly reduce the quality of his life. In this article, we will explain why nail colors can change.

Causes of changes in the nail plate

A change in the structure and color of the nails on the hands is called dyschromia. The main reasons for discoloration of toenails and hands include:

• fungal infections;
• damage to the nail fold;
• plate pigmentation;
• eczema, lichen, psoriasis;
• diabetes;
• pathologies associated with the liver and heart;
• vitamin deficiency;
• HIV infection;
• smoking, alcoholic drinks;
• poor quality manicure or pedicure.

For information! chronic insufficiency adrenal cortex or Addison's diagnosis can cause dyschromia in nail color.

When the color of the toenails or hands changes, the nail plate can change shape, structure, shine is lost, and over time, such changes lead to the destruction, crumbling and deformation of the nail.

External manifestation

The nail plate may completely change its color, or may be partially damaged. For example, there may be stripes, dots, black or white spots on the nail. Let's take a closer look at which external manifestations nails and diseases that develop against the background of these changes.

yellow plate

Yellow and yellow-green - changes are associated with problems in the lymphatic system, liver, respiratory organs, in the presence of diabetes and cancer. Still, yellow manifestations can indicate problems with the thyroid gland, tuberculosis, or the presence of jaundice.

black plate

Dark cherry or black spots - appear after an injury, i.e. under the plate there is a hemorrhage, which gives such a color. With a green-black color, Pseudomonas aeruginosa develops inside the loose structure of the nail. Black spots on the nails occur when the fungal infection Aspergillus is affected. Also, black dots on the nails can be caused by severe stress.

brown plate

Red or brown nails are minor injuries or a manifestation of infective endocarditis. It is worth noting that brown color often appears in women during pregnancy, after surgical intervention pathologies associated with female organs. The use of low-quality varnishes and coating removers can also lead to a red tint. But, a brownish-green color indicates the presence of aspergillosis or candidiasis.

For information! If spots on the nails of the hands form in the lower part and at the same time affect only part of the plate, this indicates the presence of serious problems with the kidneys and the renal system.

blue plate

After prolonged use of antibiotics or tetracyclines, the nails turn blue or blue. Grey-blue color appears due to the use of the drug against malaria Akrikhin.

It is worth noting that an increase in the level of methemoglobin in the blood can also cause the plate to turn blue. As a rule, methemoglobinemia develops as a result of poisoning with paracetamol, aniline dyes, or silver intoxication.

For information! Pink color on the toe or hand indicates the development of anemia.

white plate

The white color of the plate indicates the presence of a fungal infection or a decrease in blood flow to the nail bed. If the nails are present White color with red patches or, as they are also called Terry's pathology, this may indicate diseases such as:

• chemotherapy;
• increased activity of the functionality of the thyroid gland;
• malnutrition, debilitating diets;
• reduction of red blood cells due to deficiency of glands in the body;
• heart, kidney and liver failure.

Important! Terry's pathology is observed in 80% of patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.

Diagnosis of pathologies

The diagnosis consists in the implementation of an external examination and a mandatory laboratory test. All analyzes are aimed at identifying the cause, the formation of a discoloration of the nail plate. As a rule, the patient can be consulted with:

• endocrinologist;
• neuropathologist;
• nephrologist;
• cardiologist;
• gastroenterologist.

You can learn more about how the diagnosis is made by changing the color of the plate in the video.

For information! If the patient's nail color has changed due to an injury, a laboratory test may not be needed.

Diagnosis is carried out in several effective ways:

• microscopic examination of a plate fragment;
• cultural research - delivery of an analysis for bakposev for the presence of nutrient media.

As a rule, the result of the analysis takes up to 10 days, during which various processes using medicines to the response of the microflora. This approach allows you to choose the most effective treatment as accurately as possible.

A harmless change in the color of the nail can be a signal for the development of a severe infectious pathology. If any abnormal changes are found, it is recommended to seek the advice of a specialist.

Occasional cracking, redness, blueness, or whitish lines on the nail are usually seen after a minor injury that gradually resolves and the nail bed heals. But if the fingernails are on long time change color, shape, texture, this may be an early warning sign of serious problems with health. If you have one of the following signs, there is reason to see a doctor and undergo an examination to exclude dangerous diseases.

If your fingernails look thin and pale, this may be a sign that your body is not getting enough iron. Deficiency of this an important trace element reduces the amount of oxygen carried throughout the body by the blood. You should try to increase the amount of iron-rich foods in your daily diet (beef liver, red meat, dark leafy vegetables, legumes, etc.). After consulting with a specialist, you can drink a course of vitamins or dietary supplements enriched with iron.

Since iron deficiency in the body is closely associated with anemia, persistently thin and pale nails may indicate the onset of this disease. unpleasant illness. If, in addition to pale nails, a person often feels tired, drowsy, dizzy, then he needs to take a blood test as soon as possible in order to find out about the exact diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment.

2. Pale nails with a bluish base

When the body doesn't absorb sugar well, the lack of energy and nutrients can lead to pale nails, just like iron deficiency. However, in this case, the base of the crescent-shaped nail is usually stained bluish. Most often this happens when there is a deficiency of insulin or the presence of diabetes, when the functions of the liver and pancreas are impaired. This stops the production of enzymes needed to regulate blood glucose levels. If there is a suspicion of diabetes (along with other characteristic signs of it), you need to take a sugar test, consult a doctor and try to limit your consumption of sweets.

3. White stripes

Fingernails marked with a few pale gray or white horizontal stripes may indicate a lack of protein in the body. Most likely, the person in this case is too carried away by the consumption of fiber and carbohydrates. Add protein to the body will help meat, legumes, nuts, seeds, fish and others. After the diet returns to normal, whitish stripes on the nails usually disappear. In some cases, nails with such stripes can report problems with the kidneys and liver. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose these diseases.

Loose and brittle toenails and hands with a yellowish tint most often indicate the presence of fungal diseases on the nail plate and skin of the fingers. Fungal infections actively develop between nails and skin. It is very difficult to get rid of this scourge. The easiest way to do this is to initial stage diseases. IN running form treatment may take several years. At the same time, medications prescribed by a doctor often cause unwanted side effects.

But the fungus is not always to blame for the yellowish tint of the nail plate. This symptom often occurs in those who suffer from liver disease. If at the same time the nails began to grow much more slowly, then perhaps there are problems with the work of the lungs, including such serious illness like emphysema or pleurisy.

5. Redness at the base of the nail

If redness is observed at the base of the nails and the color of the nail “crescent” seems brighter than usual pink shade, then this may indicate poor blood circulation and a sick heart. When redness appears irregularly in the form of reddish lines around the cuticle or on the sides of the nail plate, it may be a sign of an autoimmune disorder such as lupus. With it, the body begins to attack its own healthy tissues, mistaking them for pathogens or foreign substances. If redness is noticeable on the entire nail plate, this is often associated with erythremia, a type of leukemia, a tumor disease of the hematopoietic tissue.

6. Bluish or purple nail plate

The bluish-purple color of the nails most often indicates problems with the heart, blood circulation and blood vessels. It can be birth defects heart, arrhythmia, tachycardia, angina pectoris, etc. In this case, poor blood flow deprives the nails of oxygen, so the skin under them turns blue or acquires a cold dark purple hue. To exclude such a fact, it is best to take blood tests, undergo a cardiogram and talk to a cardiologist.

7. Dark stripes

If along the entire length of the nails there are one or more dark brown stripes, formed for an indefinite reason (not a bruise or bruise), but all over the body began to appear more and more often dark brown spots and moles, then the development of skin cancer may have begun. If there are such suspicions, you should immediately consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin urgent treatment. Apart from occupational therapy, at cancer useful to include in the diet more products rich in antioxidants. This will help slow down the further spread of free radicals that damage healthy cells in the body.

Nails marked with many small pits may signal early stage psoriasis - an inflammatory skin disease that subsequently leads to the formation of large painful rashes throughout the body. Irregularities of the nail plate also occur with fungal infections, or after a physical injury to the nail.

9. Brittle or thin nails

Lack of nutrients adversely affects the health of the nails: they become thin and brittle. But sometimes this condition of the nails, along with a constant feeling of fatigue for no apparent reason, are symptoms of hypothyroidism - a disease in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to maintain the body's metabolism at the proper level. If, in addition to brittle nails, a person feels bouts of nausea, gains weight sharply and begins to hear poorly, then he should visit an endocrinologist.

10. Peeling nails

Nails exfoliate on the most different reasons: avitaminosis, stress, fungus, lack of calcium, improper care, allergies, injuries, etc. But if the nails begin to exfoliate and easily separate from nail bed for no apparent reason, then this may indicate an excess of thyroid hormones.