Isla Bennett
Fingernails are a window to your health and can reveal a lot about your well-being. While some nail changes are natural, others can indicate underlying health issues, especially changes in colour and growth patterns. If you notice that your fingernail is growing weird, it could be due to various factors, including diet, lifestyle, injury, infection, or certain diseases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| White spots | Common and usually not serious; can be caused by trauma to the nail, eczema, or fungal infection; may also be a sign of calcium or zinc deficiency |
| Yellow nails | Can be caused by staining from nail polish; may be a sign of diabetes, thyroid disease, psoriasis, or a respiratory disease like bronchitis |
| Lifting nails | Can be caused by irritation from excessive water exposure, aggressive manicures, nail hardeners, or glues; may be a sign of thyroid disease, psoriasis, injury, or infection |
| Spoon-shaped nails | May be a sign of iron deficiency |
| Nail pitting | Can be a sign of a disease that affects the whole body |
| Ridges in fingernails | Can be a sign of aging, malnutrition, or a more serious condition like kidney disease, diabetes, or eczema |
| Clubbing | Can be a sign of low oxygen in the blood, associated with lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, AIDS, or liver disease |
| Thick, overgrown nails | Can be genetic or a sign of an underlying disease such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, or circulation problems |
| Washboard nails | May be caused by picking or pushing back the cuticles |
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What You'll Learn
Trauma to the nail
Another form of nail trauma is nail splitting or ridging, where splits or ridges develop on the nail's surface, affecting its smooth appearance. In some cases, trauma can cause permanent changes to the nail's growth area, resulting in the toenail never regaining its original shape. Nail thickening can also occur due to damage to the nail's growth centre, leading to the production of a thicker nail.
Subungual hematomas, distal phalanx fractures, Seymour fractures, and, in severe cases, fragmentation or avulsion of the nail bed can all result from nail trauma. Proper and prompt treatment is crucial to prevent long-term issues. Primary care physicians should conduct a thorough physical examination, take a detailed history, perform a neurovascular examination, and evaluate the range of motion to determine the extent of the injury and rule out notable risk factors.
Additionally, bacterial or fungal infections can develop following nail trauma, leading to colour changes, texture alterations, and painful areas of infection. Severe infections may even result in nail loss. It is important to seek professional help when dealing with significant nail trauma to ensure proper healing and prevent complications. Podiatrists are trained to diagnose and treat various nail conditions and can provide specialized care.
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Beau's lines
Illnesses or infections that can cause Beau's lines include a heart attack, high fever, strep infections, hypothyroidism, peripheral artery disease, Raynaud's phenomenon, and skin conditions such as eczema. Chronic conditions that interfere with blood flow to the nail matrix, such as peripheral artery disease, can also cause Beau's lines. Severe zinc deficiency or a lack of protein in your diet may also lead to Beau's lines. Mental and emotional stress can also affect nail health and growth, causing Beau's lines.
Trauma or damage to the nail matrix can also cause Beau's lines. For example, dropping something heavy on your finger or toe, exposure to extreme cold, manicures or artificial nails, or slamming your finger in a door.
The thickness and number of Beau's lines can provide clues about the cause. A single Beau's line on one nail may indicate an injury that affected only one finger or toe. Beau's lines on all your nails can mean that an illness or stress caused them. Multiple Beau's lines on each nail may indicate that an illness or trauma occurred more than once, and thicker Beau's lines may be a sign that an underlying condition lasted a long time.
There is no specific treatment for Beau's lines. However, treating the underlying cause can prevent their recurrence. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you apply creams or moisturisers for skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, avoid manicures and artificial nails, and keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes.
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Spoon-shaped nails
Spoon nails, or koilonychia, are thin, brittle, concave nail dystrophy that is either placed horizontally or vertically. The nail plate seems to be centrally depressed and everted laterally, giving it a scooped-out appearance. Spoon nails are often a sign of iron deficiency anaemia, which results in lower red blood cell levels than normal. This condition can be treated with iron supplements and dietary changes.
Other causes of spoon nails include overexposure to petroleum products, injury to the nail bed, and environmental factors such as living at high altitudes or performing manual labour. In some cases, spoon nails can be hereditary or caused by an underlying medical condition such as lupus, heart disease, or celiac disease.
If you notice that your nails are becoming spoon-shaped, it is important to see a doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive proper treatment. Treating the underlying cause of koilonychia is crucial, as it is often a symptom of another medical condition. For example, people with hemochromatosis, an iron accumulation disorder, often present with spoon-shaped nails as a sign of the disease.
Spoon nails in babies are fairly common, with nearly one in three infants having spoon nails. Usually, babies' nails flatten as they grow. However, if spoon nails are caused by iron deficiency, they can be treated with dietary changes or supplements, and the nail shape should return to normal within 4-6 months.
While spoon nails themselves do not typically cause complications, the underlying cause or associated dermatological or systemic issues may lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is important to consult a healthcare provider to determine and address the root cause of spoon nails.
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Yellow nail syndrome
The characteristic findings associated with YNS include nail malformations, lung and airway abnormalities, and swelling or puffiness in different parts of the body. The nail changes typically involve thickening and yellowing of the nails, with possible detachment and loss. In addition, the nails may become curved and exhibit slowed or stopped growth.
Respiratory symptoms are also common in YNS, including fluid buildup in the lung tissue (pleural effusions), chronic cough, recurrent sinus infections (sinusitis), and pneumonia. These respiratory issues are due to abnormalities in the lungs and airways (respiratory tract). Swelling or puffiness, known as lymphedema, can occur in various parts of the body, particularly the lower extremities, due to the accumulation of protein-rich fluid (lymph) in the soft tissue under the skin.
The cause of YNS is not fully understood, and it often occurs without an apparent reason. However, some researchers believe that it may be linked to improper circulation, issues with lymphatic drainage, or fluid buildup around the lungs. There may also be a genetic component, as it has been reported to run in families, and some cases have been associated with changes in the FOXC2 gene.
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Vertical ridges
Beau's lines are horizontal ridges that can appear as depressions across the fingernail and are formally known as trachyonychia or twenty-nail dystrophy. They can be caused by various factors, including malnutrition, diseases that cause high fevers (such as measles, mumps, and scarlet fever), and chemotherapy drugs. If you notice Beau's lines on your nails, it is essential to consult a doctor, as they may indicate an underlying health issue.
While vertical ridges are typically associated with aging, they can also be influenced by other factors. For example, certain habits or behaviours, such as picking or pushing back the cuticles, can lead to the development of vertical ridges. This condition is known as onychotillomania or "washboard nails." Breaking this habit can help promote the growth of healthy nails.
Additionally, vertical ridges can be a sign of mineral or vitamin deficiencies. In such cases, addressing the deficiency by altering your diet or taking supplements may be recommended. It is always advisable to consult a dermatologist or healthcare professional if you notice any persistent or unusual changes in your nails, as they can provide personalized advice and treatment options.
In summary, while vertical ridges on your fingernails are often a normal part of aging, they can also be influenced by factors such as habits, nutrition, and overall health. If you have any concerns or notice any accompanying symptoms, it is best to seek professional advice to ensure proper care and management.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why your fingernail might be growing in a weird shape. It could be due to an underlying health condition such as iron deficiency anemia, which can cause spoon nails or koilonychia, where nails grow in a pattern that resembles a ski jump. Other conditions such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, or circulation problems can lead to thick and overgrown nails, also known as Ram's horn nails. Additionally, fungal infections like tinea can cause deformed nail growth.
Discoloured nails can be indicative of various issues. Nail fungus or yeast can cause changes in colour, texture, and shape. Colour changes could also be a sign of nail psoriasis or a more serious issue like skin cancer. Certain medications, including antibiotics and anti-malarial drugs, can also lead to discoloured nails.
There are several factors that can cause your fingernail to stop growing temporarily. These include fever, injury, chemotherapy, stress, or underlying illnesses. In some cases, it could be due to onychomadesis, which is when the area of the fingertip responsible for nail growth ceases to function. This can be caused by trauma, disease, or lifestyle changes.
If your fingernail is lifting up and no longer attached to the nail bed, it could be due to onycholysis, which can be caused by injury or infection. In some cases, it may be a result of arsenic poisoning, heart disease, renal failure, pneumonia, or hypoalbuminemia, known as White Nail Syndrome.
