Beautiful and well-groomed legs cannot be imagined without healthy nails. Changing the shape and color of this horn plate is not only a cosmetic defect. Deformation of the toenails can be a symptom of a dangerous pathology that requires serious treatment. Carefully monitor the pedicure should not only in the summer, when it can be demonstrated to others. In order for the body to remain healthy and beautiful, it is constantly necessary to take care of it.
Deformation of the nail plate
The main function of nails is to protect the fingertips and their nerve endings from mechanical damage. The plates consist of layers of keratin, between which are fat and water. Their hardness depends on the sulfur content in the body. Therefore, the density of nails is different for all people.
Each plate consists of the following parts:
- Root. It is not visible, since it is under the skin.
- Body. The main part of the plate.
- The edge. The overgrown part, which moves away from the skin.
The growth rate of nails depends on the season, gender, heredity, physical activity, nutrition and age of the person. On average, on the hands of the plate is fully updated for six months. Toenails grow more slowly. It may take a whole year for them to change.
Deformation of the nails on the legs and arms may indicate a malfunction in the body. A healthy plate has a pink color, a uniform and smooth surface. Various seals, discoloration, or staining may indicate kidney, heart, or endocrine problems.
Especially unpleasant when the deformation of the toenails occurs. Usually she is not noticed immediately. The nail manages to change shape to such an extent that it interferes with walking, causing severe pain. In advanced cases, complete or partial removal of the plate may be required. To restore the legs a beautiful and healthy look will help the prosthetics of the nail.
Spots, furrows, and combs
Small grooves on the plate, transverse stripes, hollows and combs can go unnoticed for a long time. Such changes are rarely given great importance, since there is a slight deformation of the toenails. Reasons that can cause deterioration of the appearance of the plate:
- Shock or injury. A mechanical effect of this kind provokes the appearance of white spots. Treatment in this case is not required. The spots will gradually disappear by themselves.
- Psoriasis and age-related changes can help seal the nail plate.
- Vertical cracks. They arise as a result of rough cutting of the cuticle. And also due to a deficiency in the body of iron and zinc.
- The base of the nail changes its color to blue in diabetes, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and other circulatory problems.
- Transverse stripes. Appear as a result of an unbalanced diet and a craving for hungry diets. And also because of the long-term use of antibiotics.
- Cavities and concavity of the plate. Such changes indicate a serious calcium deficiency.
- Scallops or furrows resembling a wave appear in people who eat malnutrition for a long time or suffer from mental disorders.
- Small point pits can be a symptom of psoriasis, tuberculosis, or eczema.
- Separation of the top layer of the plate or delamination. Such changes are characteristic of anemia, thyroid disorders, calcium and vitamin B1 deficiency.
Onychocryptosis
Most women like to wear model shoes. They are guided not by practicality and convenience, but by beauty. Therefore, women are twice as likely to suffer from deformation of the nail on the big toe. There is a change in the shape of the plate. One or both of its edges grow into soft tissue. Doctors call this pathology onychocryptosis.
In addition to uncomfortable shoes, the disease can trigger flat feet, trauma, improperly done pedicures and obesity. The risk group includes pregnant women. The sharp edges of the nail literally pierce the skin and grow into soft tissues. All this contributes to the development of suppuration.
Pathology has four stages:
- First one. The place where the edge of the nail grows swells and turns red. The pain appears only with pressure.
- The second one. The ingrown edge tears the soft tissue of the roller. Suppuration develops inside it. In this case, surgical intervention may be required.
- The third. A throbbing pain in the finger develops. A wound forms, the edges of which are continuously injured by the nail plate. The infection spreads to nearby tissues.
- Fourth. Wound healing does not occur, due to which tissue granulation is observed. A fleshy growth is formed above the nail. In appearance, it resembles a tumor.
Ochinocryptosis does not pass on its own. The patient will need treatment. Procrastination threatens that the infection will enter the lymph nodes. In addition, the development of osteomyelitis, necrosis of the skin and soft tissues is possible. In a neglected case, this may result in amputation of the affected area.
Watch glasses
In some people, thickening of the terminal phalanges and deformation of the fingers can be noticed. On the nails of the feet and hands, the plates change their shape and become like watch glasses. Soft tissue at the fingertips grows. This is due to circulatory disorders and hypoxia. The body tries to compensate for this condition by increasing the area of blood vessels, and this provokes the growth of connective tissue.
Deformation of the nail plates is caused by such diseases:
- Tuberculosis.
- Tumors of the lungs.
- Bronchiectasis and bronchiectasis.
- Occupational lung lesions.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Crohn's disease.
- Congenital heart defects.
- Ulcerative colitis.
- Enteritis.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- HIV infection.
Since the deformation of nails occurs under the influence of certain diseases, it will not work to change their shape without treatment of the underlying pathology. The patient must consult a doctor who will identify the cause and prescribe treatment. After the pathology is defeated, the nail plates and fingers will gradually take their original form and normal shape.
Onychogryphosis
Onychogryphosis is a pathology due to which there is a significant deformation of the nails on the legs. Photos of patients with this disease demonstrate that the shape of the plate changes to such an extent that it becomes like a bird's claw. Pathology is most often found in old age, but young people and even children are not safe from it.
Changing the shape of the nail can trigger the following reasons:
- Wearing tight shoes.
- Unprofessionally performed pedicure.
- Nail Injury
- Varicose veins.
- Frostbite.
- Psoriasis of the nail plates.
- Neuritis.
- Vasculitis.
- Endocrine Disorders
- Heredity.
In most cases, a large toenail is deformed. It becomes significantly thicker, its color changes to tan and even black. The nail plate gradually rises above the surface and begins to form a bend characteristic of pathology. It is incredibly difficult to cut such a deformed plate yourself. Such a violation causes inconvenience and pain when wearing shoes and even when walking barefoot.
Onychomycosis
Infection with fungal microflora can cause deformation of toenails. Treatment is with antimycotic drugs. Before prescribing the drug, the doctor must confirm the diagnosis by microscopic examination of scraping of the affected nail.
The clinical picture depends on the cause that triggered the development of mycosis. At the very beginning of the disease in nails, it changes transparency and color. Gradually, the plate begins to thicken and change shape. Then it exfoliates and crumbles.
The development of the disease can provoke:
- Injury.
- Malfunctions in the immune system.
- Long-term use of antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
- Hyperhidrosis.
- Non-observance of hygiene rules.
- Varicose veins.
- Flat feet.
- Blood diseases.
- Endocrine Disorders
The pathogen enters the healthy nail plates from infected objects. For example, during a pedicure or after trying on someone else’s shoes. If the body is healthy and its immune system works well, the fungus will most likely fail to gain a foothold on the body. But if a person suffers from the above pathologies, mycosis begins to multiply. Gradually, he captures the entire nail plate, forming passages, channels and tunnels in it.
Diagnostics
It is necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist immediately as soon as deformation of the toenails is noticed. The doctor will conduct an examination during which he will evaluate the shape, thickness, transparency, color and hardness of the plate. If necessary, he will redirect the patient to the podologist or mycologist.
If it is not possible to make a diagnosis based on a visual examination, additional studies will be scheduled. For example: a blood test, scraping from an affected nail, radiography of the foot. After that, the doctor will select a treatment regimen.
Treatment
The method of treating deformation of the toenails depends on the cause that caused it. If the plate has changed its shape due to the development of internal pathology, the underlying disease is treated. After the patient recovers, his nail will gradually restore its shape.
In cases where the deformation is not associated with internal pathologies, treatment is carried out as follows:
- Onychocryptosis. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon removes part of the nail. In the presence of purulent contents, the plate is removed completely. Recently, laser correction and treatment with radio waves are increasingly being used. With suppuration, the doctor prescribes applications with Vishnevsky ointment. As well as taking antibiotics.
- Onychogryphosis. The treatment is aimed at softening the deformed plate. In advanced cases, surgical removal of the nail and curettage of its root part will be required.
- Onychomycosis. If necessary, the doctor removes the nail plates affected by the fungus. And also prescribes medicines for local and systemic therapy. Often prescribed drugs such as Fluconazole, Exoderil, Itraconazole.
Traditional medicine recipes
In some cases, treatment of deformation of the toenails can be carried out at home, using alternative recipes. This can only be done after consulting a doctor so as not to miss the development of a dangerous pathology. For treatment, the following recipes are used:
- Ingrown nail. Prepare a soda bath and immerse it in it for 20 minutes. Then apply butter and an aloe leaf cut into two parts to the affected area. A bandage is applied on top. After a day, the procedure is repeated. The duration of treatment is two to three weeks.
- Bird claw. If the disease is detected at an early stage, a mixture of lavender oil and Kombucha will help. It must be rubbed daily into the nail after steaming the legs in a bath with potassium permanganate. In the later stages of the disease, a kombucha compress will help. It is cleaned of the film and applied to the nail for 12 hours. The duration of treatment is four weeks.
- Fungus. Prepare a soda bath and steam the legs. After this, rub the natural juice of garlic into the nails. When it is completely absorbed and the plate dries, grease it with an alcoholic solution of iodine. The course of treatment may take two to three months.
Prevention
A careful attitude to your own health can reduce the risk of developing nail deformities on the legs. To do this, you must follow a few simple rules:
- Observe foot hygiene.
- Wear only comfortable shoes and choose the right size.
- Always wear clean socks. If your feet sweat a lot, wipe them with talcum powder or use a special deodorant.
- Eat balanced. If necessary, take vitamin-mineral complexes. Lose weight if necessary.
- Regularly care for your nails, trim them properly. Always use an individual set of tools.