Isla Bennett
Fingernails and toenails that have stopped growing can be a sign of underlying health issues. The medical term for nails that have stopped growing is onychomadesis. This condition is not necessarily a disease but rather an indication that something is wrong with the body. Nails that have stopped growing can be caused by various factors, including trauma to the nail, nutritional deficiencies, chemotherapy, peripheral artery disease (PAD), diabetes, and fungal infections. It is important to seek medical attention if you notice that your nails have stopped growing or if you observe other symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, or cold feet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical Term | Onychomadesis |
| Cause | Trauma, disease, lifestyle changes, chemotherapy, fever, injury, major stress, nutritional deficiencies, poor circulation, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, fungal infections, nail injury |
| Diagnosis | Dermatologist or primary care doctor |
| Treatment | Remove the cause, antibiotics, soaks, treatment for underlying medical conditions |
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What You'll Learn
Trauma, disease, lifestyle changes, and nutritional deficiencies
Trauma
Trauma to the nail can cause nail growth to slow or stop. This can include physical trauma, such as accidentally slamming a finger in a door, or using sharp objects to clean underneath nails. Trauma can also refer to internal trauma, such as a fever, chemotherapy, or major stress, which can cause nails to grow slowly or stop growing.
Disease
Certain diseases can also cause nail growth issues. For example, psoriasis, a common chronic disease, can cause the immune system to attack healthy tissues, including nails. Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, can invade the nail plate and bed, leading to nail shedding if left untreated. Other diseases that can affect nail growth include rheumatoid arthritis, lung disease, and circulation problems.
Lifestyle Changes
Lifestyle changes, such as overexposure to moisture, can also impact nail growth. Soaking hands in sudsy water for too long can cause nails to peel. Additionally, certain chemicals and detergents can be harsh on nails, so it is recommended to wear rubber gloves when doing tasks like washing dishes.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Nutritional deficiencies are a common cause of nail growth issues. Deficiencies in iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, B, C, and E can lead to nail brittleness, ridges, discolouration, and slow growth. Vitamin B12 deficiency, in particular, can cause nail hyperpigmentation. Nutritional deficiencies can often be addressed by adopting a healthy and balanced diet or taking supplements.
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Poor circulation and peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Poor circulation, which can be caused by PAD, results in a reduced supply of oxygen and nutrients to the nails. This can cause nail growth to slow down or stop entirely. In addition, poor circulation can lead to other nail changes, such as brittleness, discolouration, and thickening.
PAD can cause a range of symptoms, including leg pain or cramping, cold feeling in the legs and feet, sores that don't heal, and changes in the thickness and colour of toenails. It is important to note that slowed or stopped nail growth can also be caused by other factors, such as fungal infections, radiation treatments, and nail bed injuries. However, PAD can lead to more severe complications if not treated early.
To address slow toenail growth related to PAD, it is crucial to manage the underlying condition and improve circulation. This can be achieved through medical treatment, lifestyle modifications, and foot care. Consulting with a healthcare provider is essential to evaluate your condition and determine the best course of treatment.
Additionally, lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing blood sugar levels and cholesterol can help improve circulation and promote healthy toenail growth. Proper foot hygiene, regular toenail trimming, and protecting the feet from injury are also important for maintaining nail health and preventing infections.
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Diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and blood sugar management
Onychomadesis, or the cessation of nail growth, can be indicative of underlying medical conditions, including diabetes. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by the abnormal release of or sensitivity to the hormone insulin, resulting in a loss of blood glucose control. Uncontrolled diabetes can impact various organ systems, including the cardiovascular, neurologic, ocular, renal, and cutaneous systems, affecting the skin, hair, and nails.
Diabetes-related complications can lead to nail growth abnormalities. For instance, onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails, is a well-known complication of diabetes mellitus. Diabetics are more susceptible to dermatophyte infections, and the prevalence of onychomycosis is higher in this population. The infection can cause the nail bed to retract, and nails to thicken, crumble, and discolour, turning yellow due to the breakdown of sugar and its impact on nail collagen.
Additionally, peripheral arterial disease, a potential complication of diabetes, can affect blood flow to the extremities, including the nails. This reduced blood flow could potentially impact nail growth. Thickening of the skin around the nail fold and onychogryphosis, or curved and thickened nails, can also be observed in individuals with chronic diabetes, indicating microangiopathic changes and endothelial cell dysfunction.
While nail growth may not be the most pressing concern in the context of diabetes, it is worth noting that nails can provide valuable insights into underlying health conditions. Therefore, any noticeable changes in nail growth or appearance should be addressed with a healthcare professional, especially in the context of diabetes management and cardiovascular health.
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Infections, chemotherapy, and medication side effects
Infections, particularly bacterial and fungal infections, can cause nails to stop growing. Paronychia, a common nail infection, occurs when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing an infection. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, as well as redness and warmth in the affected area. In some cases, pus may build up under the skin, leading to a white to yellow, pus-filled abscess that may require drainage. If left untreated, paronychia can cause abnormal nail growth, resulting in ridges or waves on the nail surface. The nail may also appear dry, brittle, and discolored, with a yellow or green tint.
Fungal infections, such as onychomycosis, can also impact nail growth. Onychomycosis occurs when dermatophytes, yeasts, or molds invade the nail plate and/or nail bed. While often treatable, if left untreated, the infection can worsen, leading to the nail plate falling off and stopping nail growth until the infection is cleared. Toenails are particularly susceptible to fungal infections during chemotherapy, as the treatment can reduce infection-fighting white blood cells.
Chemotherapy is a common cause of nail growth cessation. This occurs because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which include cancer cells, hair follicles, and nail matrices. The interruption in nail growth during chemotherapy can manifest as onycholysis, or damage to the tissue in the nail bed that keeps toenails in place. Onycholysis can lead to discomfort and infection if other conditions, such as a low white blood cell count, are also present.
Certain medications can also cause nail-related side effects, including changes in nail color, infection, and nails separating from the nail beds. For example, antibiotics like fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines have been associated with nails separating from the skin after exposure to sunlight. Retinoids and EGFR inhibitors are also known to affect nail health. It is important to note that nail problems are not a common occurrence with most medications and are mostly linked to a select few. If you experience nail changes after starting a new medication, consult your healthcare provider before discontinuing the medication.
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Onychomadesis, onycholysis, and other nail conditions
Onychomadesis is a clinical observation that something is wrong with the body. It is not a disease in itself but rather a sign that something is amiss. It is the cessation of activity in the nail matrix, which can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, disease, or lifestyle changes. Onychomadesis may manifest as a lack of nail production or the complete shedding of the nail. Chemotherapy, fever, injury, or major stress are some of the causes of onychomadesis.
Onycholysis, on the other hand, is a common condition where the nail separates from the nail bed. It is typically not painful, but the affected nail may change colour and turn yellow, greenish, purple, white, or grey. Onycholysis can be caused by trauma or injury to the nail, fungal infections, psoriasis, or thyroid disease. It can also be caused by chemicals in nail products, medications, and certain drugs. Onycholysis usually lasts for several months, and treatment involves addressing the underlying cause.
Other nail conditions that can cause nail abnormalities include:
- Paronychia: an infection around the fingernail or toenail, characterised by redness and swelling.
- Beau lines: deep grooves or gaps that run across the width of the nail, indicating that something slowed or stopped nail growth for a period.
- Koilonychia: spoon-shaped nails, which may indicate iron deficiency.
- Onychomycosis: a nail fungus infection, caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, or moulds invading the nail plate and/or nail bed.
- Yellow nail syndrome: nails turn yellow, thicken, and stop growing, possibly indicating lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many reasons why your nails might have stopped growing, including trauma to the nail, nutritional deficiencies, or medical conditions like diabetes and PAD. It is important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause.
Symptoms of nail-related health issues include thickening, discoloration, slowing or stopping of nail growth, deep grooves, and pitted nails.
Improving circulation through lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and managing blood sugar levels and cholesterol can promote better nail health. Proper foot hygiene, regular toenail trimming, and protecting your feet from injury can also help prevent infections and improve nail health.
If you notice any significant changes in your nail growth or any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is important to seek medical attention to rule out any serious vascular conditions or underlying health issues.
