Why Do Nails Get "Sick"

Nails are composed of several layers of dead cells, which themselves do not get sick. But the substances that contact with the nails (often cosmetic, destined to improve the nails), may irritate the tissue surrounding a nail, which leads to a deterioration of their appearance. Moreover, poor general health, as well as some bad habits such as smoking, can cause discoloration of the nail, splitting nails and many other problems. 

How does the overall state of health affect our nails
Many serious diseases can be diagnosed by analyzing the nails. Very pale nail is often a sign of anemia, while the bluish nail shows cardiovascular system illness or the lungs'. In these cases, the body is under anoxemia. Kidney, thyroid, liver and pituitary bad condition can also lead to a change in color of the nails. In some forms of arthritis, involving inflammation of the joints of the fingers, the nails may split, and the small spots can indicate psoriasis.
In each of these cases, you need to see a specialist and treat the main disease. Often at the beginning of treatment, for example, after you have started taking iron supplements for anemia, the appearance of nails improves.


Fungal infections
Nails affected by fungal infection is quite common. Under certain conditions, fungal spores attach to the cells of the nail tissue, feeding on keratin and penetrating more deeply. Struck by a fungus- the nail thickens, changes color and texture. This infection can develop initially at one side of the nail, for example at the tip or the base, and then capture the entire area of the nail. Over time, a fungal infection can move to other nails, and can infect another person. If you do not take appropriate measures, to the end the nail fungus will cause flaking of the nail bed, and you will lose the nail.

Read more »

Why Do Nails Get "Sick"

Nails are composed of several layers of dead cells, which themselves do not get sick. But the substances that contact with the nails (often cosmetic, destined to improve the nails), may irritate the tissue surrounding a nail, which leads to a deterioration of their appearance. Moreover, poor general health, as well as some bad habits such as smoking, can cause discoloration of the nail, splitting nails and many other problems. 

How does the overall state of health affect our nails
Many serious diseases can be diagnosed by analyzing the nails. Very pale nail is often a sign of anemia, while the bluish nail shows cardiovascular system illness or the lungs'. In these cases, the body is under anoxemia. Kidney, thyroid, liver and pituitary bad condition can also lead to a change in color of the nails. In some forms of arthritis, involving inflammation of the joints of the fingers, the nails may split, and the small spots can indicate psoriasis.
In each of these cases, you need to see a specialist and treat the main disease. Often at the beginning of treatment, for example, after you have started taking iron supplements for anemia, the appearance of nails improves.


Fungal infections
Nails affected by fungal infection is quite common. Under certain conditions, fungal spores attach to the cells of the nail tissue, feeding on keratin and penetrating more deeply. Struck by a fungus- the nail thickens, changes color and texture. This infection can develop initially at one side of the nail, for example at the tip or the base, and then capture the entire area of the nail. Over time, a fungal infection can move to other nails, and can infect another person. If you do not take appropriate measures, to the end the nail fungus will cause flaking of the nail bed, and you will lose the nail.

Read more »

Why the hands and nails need water

Soaking your nails with water, you weaken their structure. In your own experience, you probably have already ascertained that the skin also suffers from water, especially in combination with detergents. However, the tissue of healthy skin and nails contain natural moisture, without which the nails become brittle, and the skin- pale, rough and cracked.

In order for your nails to remain elastic, and for elastic skin, during the day you should drink plenty of water. Most nutritionists recommend to consume 6-8 glasses of water daily. You can observe from the color of urine, whether you drink a sufficient amount of water.

Dark yellow urine indicates that you should drink more. If the urine is very light, similar to ordinary water, it means you drink too much. Of course, weight and physical activity, as well as the time of year affect the body's need for fluids.

Read more »

Why the hands and nails need water

Soaking your nails with water, you weaken their structure. In your own experience, you probably have already ascertained that the skin also suffers from water, especially in combination with detergents. However, the tissue of healthy skin and nails contain natural moisture, without which the nails become brittle, and the skin- pale, rough and cracked.

In order for your nails to remain elastic, and for elastic skin, during the day you should drink plenty of water. Most nutritionists recommend to consume 6-8 glasses of water daily. You can observe from the color of urine, whether you drink a sufficient amount of water.

Dark yellow urine indicates that you should drink more. If the urine is very light, similar to ordinary water, it means you drink too much. Of course, weight and physical activity, as well as the time of year affect the body's need for fluids.

Read more »

Nails and Smoking

We can not conclude the discussion about the health of the nails, as well as health in general, without mentioning the harm caused on us by smoking. Of course, smoking is not so quick to change the appearance of nails, like fungal infections or the habit to bite the nails do. But if you smoke, sooner or later it will affect the status of your nails.

How smoking affects the nails? The nails protect many capillaries - small blood vessels that deliver oxygen rich blood to the nail. Nicotine contained in tobacco contributes to the narrowing of these vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen to the nail and its matrix. Deoxygenated nail becomes loose and grayish. Nail growth is slowing. You are not frightened? Then I should add that nicotine colors the nail, and the smell of tobacco persistsin the skin of the hands. The prospect is not the best, is it?

Ugly yellow nails - this is not the main reason that compels reasonable people to give up smoking. If smoking so worsens the condition of nails, imagine what damage it causes the body as a whole. If you want to stay healthy, abstain from this harmful habit.

Read more »

Nails and Smoking

We can not conclude the discussion about the health of the nails, as well as health in general, without mentioning the harm caused on us by smoking. Of course, smoking is not so quick to change the appearance of nails, like fungal infections or the habit to bite the nails do. But if you smoke, sooner or later it will affect the status of your nails.

How smoking affects the nails? The nails protect many capillaries - small blood vessels that deliver oxygen rich blood to the nail. Nicotine contained in tobacco contributes to the narrowing of these vessels, reducing the flow of oxygen to the nail and its matrix. Deoxygenated nail becomes loose and grayish. Nail growth is slowing. You are not frightened? Then I should add that nicotine colors the nail, and the smell of tobacco persistsin the skin of the hands. The prospect is not the best, is it?

Ugly yellow nails - this is not the main reason that compels reasonable people to give up smoking. If smoking so worsens the condition of nails, imagine what damage it causes the body as a whole. If you want to stay healthy, abstain from this harmful habit.

Read more »