What can nail deformation say about your health?
Common causes of nail deformation include infection, injury, and skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema. Some conditions need professional treatment. People with compromised immune systems or diabetes are at a higher risk of getting fungal nail infections.
What could possible cause deformed nails?
- Spooning or koilonychia is a condition when your nails have raised ridges and scoop outward. Spooning can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia, overactive thyroid, Raynaud’s disease, a condition that limits your blood circulation, heart disease, liver problems, etc.
- Paronychia is an infection that develops around the edges of the nail at the sides or the bottom.
- This skin infection causes inflammation, swelling, and discomfort around the nail. Abscesses containing pus can also form. An eventual deformation of the nails is one of the symptoms of this problem. This condition requires medical aid.
- Nail pitting. Small depressions and little pits in the nails are often the result of psoriasis or systemic diseases.
- Clubbed nails are thickening and curving around the fingertips. They may develop over the course of a few years.
- Low blood oxygen levels, IBS, AIDS, or heart, pulmonary or liver diseases can cause nail clubbing.
- Injury. Injuries are the most common causes of nail deformation.
It's good to get professional care for any deformed nails. Shaping, trimming, and nail care from a professional can add to the health of your nails and help diagnose and deal with more serious nail problems. Depending on the stage of nail deformation, you may need an expert consultation to see what can be done.