Fingernail Problems and Injuries

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Nails can be an indicator of our health and generally give us little trouble but problems can occur. Fingernails grow all the time and if they are not cut they can split and break which is really not very attractive.

Below are a few problems:

Black nails - injuries that crush nails - such as slamming a finger in a door - can cause bleeding beneath the nail, which usually results in a black nail. The discoloration from this type of injury will usually recede as the nail grows. But should the bleeding be extensive the nail may come off or you may have to have a doctor remove it.

Brittle nails - A poor or an inadequate diet can cause nails to crack or break easily. If you think this could be a problem try eating more lean meat, fish, fresh fruit and vegetables. Extreme dryness of the nails can also cause brittleness. If this is the case then apply a nail creams, night and morning and keep the nails cut short until they improve.

Loose nails - Prolonged use of nail hardeners containing formaldehyde may loosen nails. The flesh beneath becomes infected and discolored. This condition is slow to heal but keeping the nails short can help. Loose nails may also be associated with skin disease such as eczema so it is advisable to seed medical advice.

Nail furrows - a minor injury or a cyst close to the cuticle often causes Grooves or furrows along a nail. These grooves may split open which will cause pain and sometimes infection. If there is a cyst or if the finger becomes inflamed seek medical advice. Otherwise, keep the nail clean and trim off any loose fragments.

If the ridges aren't too prominent then they can be smoothed with a buffer.

Pitted nails - small dimples or pits in the nail are not abnormal and their appearance can be improved by nightly treatment with an anti-irritant consisting of glycerin and boracic (boric) acid. Mix according to instructions and do not use nail varnish and remover until the pitting clears up.

White spots - Tiny white flecks appear spontaneously in some people's nails, or they may occur as a result of a slight injury to the cuticles. They are harmless and will eventually grow out.