Liam Carter
Fingernails can reveal a lot about your health. If your nails are lifting up, you may see white discolouration and this could be a sign of an injury or infection. However, this is not the only nail change that could indicate a health issue. For example, if your nails are curving down and have a rounded edge, this could be a sign of a condition called clubbing. Nails can also turn yellow, which is usually caused by nail polish use, but could be a sign of something more serious like lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical name | Onycholysis |
| Colour | White |
| Cause | Injury from cleaning under nails with a sharp object |
| Treatment | See a dermatologist for treatment and tips to help the new nail grow out normally |
| Infection | Paronychia |
| Symptoms | Redness and swelling around the nail |
| Yellow nails | Caused by wearing red nail polish without a base coat or smoking |
| Could be a sign of lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis | |
| Could be a sign of a serious nail infection | |
| Green-ish black nails | Could be a bacterial infection under the nail |
| Caused by bacteria getting into a cut near the cuticle | |
| Curved nails | Could be a sign of a condition called clubbing |
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What You'll Learn
Infection
Fingernails lifting up is known as onycholysis. This condition is often caused by injury, such as cleaning under your nails with a sharp object. If you notice your nail lifting up, it is important to see a dermatologist, as you may need treatment for an infection. In addition, a dermatologist can provide advice to help the new nail grow out normally.
Yellow nails can be caused by wearing red nail polish without a base coat or by smoking. However, yellow nails can also be a sign of yellow nail syndrome, a rare disorder that can be indicative of an underlying health issue. Lung disease and rheumatoid arthritis have been linked to yellow nail syndrome. In addition, yellow nails can be a sign of a serious nail infection that requires treatment.
Green or black nails can be a sign of a bacterial infection under the nail, known as paronychia. This occurs when bacteria enter a cut near the cuticle and infect the skin under the nail. The skin surrounding the nail may become inflamed, swollen, and painful. If you notice your nails turning green or black, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible to receive treatment and prevent the infection from worsening.
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Yellow nail syndrome
If your nails turn up, or lift up, it's called onycholysis. This can be caused by injury, such as cleaning under your nails with a sharp object. You may see white discolouration, and you should see a dermatologist, as you may need treatment for an infection.
Yellow nails can also be a sign of an autoimmune disorder, where the body starts to attack itself. If you notice any changes in your nail colour, shape, or structure that seem odd, it's possible that your fingernail health may indicate a deeper issue with your overall health.
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Deep grooves
Small dents on the surface of your nail bed are called pitting and can show up with no apparent pattern or reason. This could indicate an autoimmune disorder, a condition in which the body mistakenly starts attacking itself.
Yellow nails can be caused by wearing red nail polish without a base coat or smoking. However, if your nails turn yellow, thicken, and seem to stop growing, it could be a sign of something more serious going on inside your body, such as lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis. You may also have a serious nail infection, which requires treatment.
Green or blue nails can be a sign of a bacterial infection under the nail, known as paronychia. This can happen if bacteria get into a cut near your cuticle and infect the skin under your nail. Nails curving down with a noticeable rounded edge could be a sign of a condition called clubbing.
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Bacterial infection
If your nails turn up, it could be a sign of a bacterial infection called paronychia. This can happen if bacteria gets into a cut near your cuticle and infects the skin under your nail. You may also see redness and swelling around the nail. If left untreated, the infection will get worse. A dermatologist can examine the nail and provide treatment.
- Redness and swelling around the nail
- Pain in the nail area
- Discharge from the nail
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
It is also important to practice good nail hygiene to prevent bacterial infections. This includes keeping your nails clean and dry, trimming them regularly, and avoiding biting them. If you have an injury near your nail, such as a cut or tear, it is important to clean the area and apply an antiseptic ointment to prevent infection.
In some cases, bacterial infections of the nail can be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you experience recurrent bacterial infections or have other symptoms in addition to the nail changes, it is important to see a doctor for further evaluation.
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Clubbing
The development of clubbing can be gradual, and individuals may not notice the changes in their nail shape until the condition has progressed. In some cases, clubbing may be the first noticeable sign of an underlying health issue. It is important to consult a medical professional if you observe any changes in your nail appearance, as it could indicate the presence of an underlying condition that requires attention.
While clubbing itself is not a cause for concern, it can be indicative of underlying health issues. Therefore, it is essential to seek medical advice if you notice any changes in your nail appearance, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Medical professionals can perform a thorough examination, including assessing the degree of clubbing, evaluating any associated symptoms, and conducting further investigations to determine the underlying cause.
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Frequently asked questions
If your nails are lifting up, it's likely that you'll see some white discolouration. This could be caused by an injury, such as cleaning under your nails with a sharp object. You should see a dermatologist to examine the nail and determine if you need treatment for an infection.
Yellow nails are usually caused by wearing red nail polish without a base coat or smoking. However, it could be a sign of something more serious, such as lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
If your nails are curving down and have a noticeable rounded edge, this could be a sign of a condition called clubbing.
Green or blue nails could be a sign of a bacterial infection under your nail, which requires treatment with antibacterial medication.
Nails with a black or brown stripe could indicate a deeper issue with your overall health. You should see a dermatologist to get this checked out.
