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Nail Problems and Possible Causes

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Brief review of common nail problems like brittle nails, yellow nails and their possible causes with a brief review of their cure.
Nail Care and Problems
Lack of proper care may lead to different nail problems that can be troublesome as well as agonizing.

Healthy nails are smooth, evenly colored and strong, with a pale pink or flesh-colored nail bed. A number of general body disorders affect their appearance. Your nails can therefore be an indicator of your underlying state of health. There is much you can do at home through diet and with little bit external care.

Nail composition

Nails are made of Keratin, the protein that is also the main constitute of our skin and hair. A fingernail takes about six months to grow from base to tip while a toenail takes about one year. The nails and surrounding skin can be infected by bacteria and such fungi as tinea and candida. This condition can make the nails soft, discolored, thickened and misshapen. Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal infection of the fold of skin at the side of the nail.

Special Nail Problems

Brittle Nails

Brittle nails may be due to the sun damage. Sun rays are also very harmful for the nails.
Read more on causes and treatment of Brittle nails.

Blue Nails

Bluish nails may results from severe asthma, heart disease, emphysema or bronchitis. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.

Rippled nails

If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that starts in the nails 10% of the time.

Artificial Nails

Although artificial nails can make your hands look more attractive, but they can seriously damage your own nails. One problem is the glue, which can cause an allergic reaction. Another problem is the stick-on variety which can cause an allergic reaction.

Yellow Nails

Yellowing and excessive hardening of the nails may be a sign of bronchiectasis or the lymph edema. Discoloration of the nails may be due to smoking or regular use of the nail polish. This disease faint the color of the nails.

Peeling Nails

Some nail colors contains Acetone which can dry out your nails, so, avoid such nail polishes. Always file nails lightly and keep the layers even. Because uneven nails have a tendency to peel easily.

Dull Nails

After a day or two, varnish nails tend to look a bit dull.Hoof lacquer, the secret weapon of manicurists, keeps nails looking like new.

Several Nutritional Deficiencies

Few nutritional deficiencies may also be reflected in the nails particularly faingernails:
  • Iron deficiency;It may cause the nails to appear pale and become thin, brittle and easily cracked or broken.
  • Zinc deficiency;This type of deficiency leads to the white spots and brittleness of nails.
  • Protein deficiency;It makes the nail beds appear white.
  • Lack of linoleic acid;It is an essential fatty acid and its deficiency may cause the nails to split and flake.

Nutrition for nails

If your nails are brittle and flaking, give them a boost by increasing your intake of key nutrients, such as calcium (in milk),Omega-3 fatty acid (in oily fish), Vitamin c (in most fresh fruits and vegetables) and zinc (in seafood and poultry).

Treatment for Nail Problems

  • For iron deficiency nails, the best treatment is that eat plenty of foods that contain iron, copper, vitamin c and folic acid. These include dark green vegetables, cheese, seafood and eggs.
  • For fungal and bacterial nail infections, boost immunity by eating garlic and onions, foods rich in zinc (nuts, root vegetables, shellfish), vitamin C (fruits and vegetables), omega-3 fatty acids (nuts, seeds, dark green leafy vegetables and oily fish).
  • For white spots in the nails, increase your intake of zinc and vitamin B by eating more poultry, seafood’s and whole grains.
  • For nail problems caused by psoriasis, eat more oily fish and other foods rich in essential fatty acids (whole grains, seeds, nuts).
  • For splitting or breaking nails, increase your body's Vitamin A level by taking foods like carrots and their juice, eggs, milk and liver. You may also consider about fish oil supplements along with two to three servings of fish per week.
take healthy foods to solve nail problems
If you have soft, brittle or flaking nails give them a boost by increasing the intake of key nutrients like calcium (milk), omega-3 fatty acids (oily fish), Vitamin C (fresh fruits and vegetable) and Zinc (seafood and poultry).


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