Nails, a snitch that warns when something is wrong with our health

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The some They are a fantastic snitch that indicate if everything is going well or there is a problem in our health. Its function is to protect the tissues of the fingers and they are made up of layers of a protein called keratin, which is also present in other parts of the body, such as hair and skin. The uniform and smooth color indicates that the fingernail or toenail is healthy. Any change that we can observe in shape and color may mean that there is alteration. That is why it is convenient to be vigilant.

Now that the permanent and semi-permanent manicuresWe must also choose well which center we go to and see if the products used are careful with our nails. Clara Motorcycle, specialist pharmacist of dermopharmacy in Dospharma, notes that, indeed, “there are many stores, so the first thing of all is to ensure the professionalism of the staff, the quality of the products and the cleanliness and hygiene of the utensils”. “In the case of semi-permanent manicure -continues-, the enamel is applied on the natural nail and subsequently dried with an ultraviolet lamp to achieve a better, more durable finish. For the permanent, It can be applied directly on the natural nail or done on nails previously worked in acrylic, porcelain or gel. Subsequently, the chosen enamel is applied and dried with UV light to fix it and achieve greater hardness. In both cases, the pathology more normal that usually occurs is the allergy to acrylates, a product found in false nails and enamels “, explains the expert.

This can be a problem and weaken nails by making them brittle and flaking, although it is not a symptom of a health problem.

But there are other frequent alterations to consider:

The leuconiquia, or the appearance of white spots, can be due to multiple factors. When they are small, they are usually completely harmless and may have appeared by a trauma or by the lack of any nutrient, like zinc. A small bump can produce a white spot. In general, it heals itself and disappears when the nail has returned to grow complete, which takes six to eight months, or up to 12 in the case of feet. Or they may also be due to psoriasis, a chronic disease that affects the skin and produces flaking and redness (almost half of the people who suffer from it also have nail psoriasis, that is, on the nails).

The koilonychia, or spoon nails, occurs when the edges of the nail curve upward, to the point where the center is deeper. This alteration is due to several factors, such as the iron deficiency or anemia. In turn, it can be a symptom of some kidney, liver, or thyroid-related diseases. An example is hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs too much iron from food.

Son grooves O slits that cross the nail from side to side. They occur when the growth of the nail is interrupted (for example, by a blow). They can also appear in cases of diabetes, especially when the disease is not well controlled.

Here the nail turns a dull white color, except for a small pink or brown line at the tip. They appear in cases of poorly controlled diabetes or due to diseases of the liver o go kidneys.

They are due to multiple reasons, such as excessive use of cosmetics or enamels, although they can also hide a problem, such as fungal infections or even Lung diseases.

It occurs when the tips of the fingers widen and the nails curve around, making a semicircular shape. They are a symbol of diseases of the liver or kidneys, although they also appear in people with page.

Grooves appear, similar to small marks from a punch. They are frequent in people with psoriasis, in whom small holes appear or even part of the fingernail separates.

They are small hemorrhages in the form of thin red lines that extend in the direction the nail grows. They are caused by some heart-related infections, such as endocarditis o la vasculitis.

It is an alteration that, among other things, makes the nail curve down. It is related to ailments that affect the amount of oxygen in the blood; for example, lung cancer.

It is one of the most frequent problems and, in many cases, it is due to external factors that are easy to solve or avoid.


Brittle nails, therefore, is one of the most frequent problems. It is given by the aging, lack of nutrients, such as zinc or iron, o de vitamins as the C (which gives them strength) and D (brightness). They also become brittle if we always resort to semi-permanent and permanent manicures. “The frequent use of enamels and the filing that is used to remove them makes our nails lose part of their thickness and, therefore, weaken and even break. Therefore, the time between manicure and manicure depends on the state and health of our nails. It will be necessary to assess if the enamel is permanent or semi-permanent, if the cuticle is well hydrated and there is no type of pathology in the nail (fungus, yellow, brittle or very fragile nail). Depending on all this there will be You have to establish a shorter or longer period of rest and it may not even be necessary to rest, “says Clara Motos.

Avoid toluene

In order not to spoil them, the pharmacist advises using enamels without toluene, a resin used in its manufacture that can be irritating and cause skin and respiratory allergies. “Other components to avoid are formaldehyde, alcanfor, dibutilftalato (DBP) and nickel”.

The specialist explains that ketones are being used less and less pure or lowered to remove gel or acrylic nails, in favor of the lathe (or electric file), which “greatly speeds up the process and avoids the application of some aggressive chemicals on the nails,” he says. For the home, Motos advises “glass or cardboard files” and avoid “more aggressive” metal ones.

However, the problem of brittle nails can be reversed.

The longer they are, the more likely they are to break or chip. In addition, long nails promote the accumulation of microorganisms under them.

Diet rich in vitamins and minerals

“Many times, increasing the intake of vitamins and minerals solves the problem, as well as keeping your hands well hydrated and protected from chemicals and excessive moisture “, says the pharmacist, also Carmen Desmonts Salazar. It is important to ensure a good supply of zinc (present in liver, red meat or hazelnuts) and iron (in seafood, spinach and red meat). It is also necessary C vitamin (broccoli, red pepper, kiwi, orange …), the vitamin D (sunlight) and Vitamin E (an antioxidant found in almonds, hazelnuts, green leafy vegetables, or vegetable oils). If necessary, the intake of these nutrients can be increased with a supplement or food supplement.

Do not abuse enamels

Permanent manicures do not have to affect the nails, only if they are done with poor quality products. In that case, its chemical components hinder the natural creation of keratin. If you notice that they open in layers or fold, it is best to avoid these products and rest for a few weeks.

Bleaches, detergents, acetone … All these products weaken the nails if used regularly. Therefore, if you work with chemicals, it is advisable to wear gloves.

Avoid excessive humidity

Keeping your nails clean and dry is one of the keys to keeping them strong and healthy. An excess of water deteriorates the cuticle and the nail plate (the pink surface) and dries them out. In addition, the humidity facilitates the appearance of fungi and bacteria. Therefore, it is advisable to let your hands breathe periodically and not overuse gloves and socks. Good drying is also important after washing hands and feet.

Maintain good hydration

Use a hand moisturizer It will help to strengthen the nails, while hardening them, smoothing the cuticles and keeping them healthy. This step is even more important in colder months, since low temperatures dry out the skin a lot.

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Reference-www.elperiodico.com

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