Nails are a kind of indicator of the he alth of the body. Even a slight change in color and relief can indicate problems, for example, a lack of vitamins and trace elements. In the event that the nails are bent up or down, you will need to consult a doctor. Perhaps in this way the body signals the development of dangerous pathologies.
He althy nail plate
He althy nails are pink in color, even and smooth. They are moderately flexible and strong. The shape of the nail plate depends on natural genetic factors and can be:
- square;
- round;
- trapezoidal;
- rectangular.
The basis of the nail plate is the protein keratin. It also consists of human hair. The density of nails is due to the fact that a large amount of sulfur is present in keratin. The higher its concentration, the stronger the plate. In addition to sulfur, in a he althy nail shouldattend:
- selenium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- zinc;
- chrome.
Water and fats are responsible for the shine and elasticity of the nail. Its thickness usually does not exceed 0.3 mm. An insufficient amount of even one element instantly affects the he alth of the nail.
Full plate renewal occurs once every six months. The nail grows rather slowly - from 0.25 to 1 mm per week. Speed can also be affected by a strict diet, hormonal changes and diseases.
Often, patients turn to dermatologists with the question of why the fingernails are bent down. To answer this question, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis of the body. Only after that the doctor will be able to name the cause and prescribe treatment.
Nail deformation
Deformation of the nail plate does not always indicate that a pathological process has begun in the body. Sometimes changes can occur due to adverse factors. May damage nails:
- Aggressive household chemicals and chlorinated water. Cleaning should be done with household rubber gloves. Detergents contain aggressive surfactants, which easily dissolve the natural fat that is contained in the nail. In addition, household chemicals significantly age the skin of the hands.
- Ultraviolet exposure. It is recommended to use varnishes with UV filters.
- Poor quality manicure tools. For example, hard nail files made of metal.
- Using nail polish remover containing acetone liquid. It dehydrates and degreases the nail plate.
In the event that none of the above items had an effect, and the nails are bent down, you will have to look for other causes of the problem. It is not recommended to do this on your own, it is better to consult a doctor.
Hereditary predisposition
Human he alth largely depends on heredity. Parents pass on to their children the peculiarity of the constitution and physique, the color of hair and eyes. In the event that the nails on the hands are bent down, it is recommended to pay attention to the hands of dad and mom. The deformed plates of the parents will tell you that the matter is in genetics. Bends can be observed on all fingers at once or only on one.
It is impossible to change heredity, so it is useless to fight with curved nails in this case. Moreover, the longer the length, the more noticeable the defect. You can hide it by trimming your nails before they begin to change shape. In the event that the length matters, you will need to use extensions.
Deficiency of trace elements and vitamins
Everyone who often adheres to strict diets or abuses fast food experiences a constant lack of vitamins and minerals. Human nutrition may answer the question of why nails curl down.
In the event that the body begins to experience a lack of nutrients, its primary task is to provide microelements only to vital organs. Hair and nails areare not, so their needs will be ignored. Gradually, the plates will begin to weaken and curl, and the hair will break and fall out.
Precisely determine those trace elements that the body especially needs, a blood test helps. Most often, the cause lies in the lack of iron or vitamin B12. A properly selected vitamin complex and a balanced diet will quickly help solve the problem.
Bruises and improper care
Mechanical injuries often cause the nail plate to bend. This can be caused by the inept actions of the manicurist, the use of a very rough metal file, as well as frequent extensions made in violation of the technique.
Tight shoes may be the reason why toenails curl down. In the event that the wrong actions of the pedicure master can be excluded, it is recommended to pay attention to those shoes in the wardrobe that have a narrow toe. It is better to refuse them completely or wear them only in exceptional cases.
Possible diseases
Diseases of the respiratory tract often lead to the fact that the nails are bent down. In addition to changing shape, the plate may change color to yellowish or bluish. A similar symptom is often observed in people with the following diseases:
- Chronic bronchitis.
- Asthma.
- Lung cancer.
- Tuberculosis.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Influence the fact that the nail plate starts to twist down,can various pathologies of the thyroid gland, as well as disorders in the pancreas and liver. In addition, rounding nails can be the first symptom of a fungal infection.
Expert Tips
Manicured nails are of great importance for every woman. It is difficult to disguise a deformed plate, since the hands are always in sight. No woman wants to put up with the fact that her nails curl down. What to do in this situation, the dermatologist knows.
The doctor will prescribe the necessary diagnostics to determine what exactly led to the development of the defect. If it turns out that the curvature of the nails is just a symptom of some disease, he will prescribe its treatment. After the pathology is defeated, the plate will gradually return to its original shape.
In the event that no serious pathologies are identified, the specialist will help to correct some points that will help bring the appearance of the nail in order. This includes:
- reception of vitamin-mineral complexes containing vitamins B12, D3 and iron;
- enriching your daily diet with foods like fish, cheese and spinach;
- constant monitoring of the level of protein in the body (for some people, even a minimal lack of this component causes a drop in immunity and deterioration of hair and nails);
- daily massaging the cuticle before going to bed and rubbing various oils into it, such as olive oil;
- totally stop using nail polish removeracetone;
- constant protection of hands and nails with rubber gloves while washing dishes;
- predominant use of ceramic or glass nail files;
- trust nails only to highly qualified manicurists;
- use orthopedic shoes.
Folk recipes
To help in a situation where the nails are bent down, some traditional medicine recipes are capable. Before you start using them, it is recommended to consult a doctor. This is necessary in order not to miss the development of a dangerous pathology.
The following home treatments have a beneficial effect on the nail plate:
- Wax mask. To prepare the product, you will need to melt 30 g of beeswax in a water bath. Add 10 ml of jojoba oil and 5 drops of almond oil to it. Cool to a temperature of 40 degrees and dip your fingers into the mixture for 30 seconds. Immediately after that, put your hands under cold water. Leave the frozen mask on your hands for 20 minutes. The full course includes 12 procedures. They should be performed once every three days.
- Revitalizing bath. Pour a glass of warm water into a bowl or bowl. Dissolve 25-30 g of sea s alt and add a tablespoon of aloe juice. Dip your fingers into the prepared bath. One session is 25 minutes. Treatments can be performed daily for two weeks.
- Mask with red pepper. This tool stimulates the growth of he althy nails and allows you to restore the damaged structure of the plates. ForTo prepare the mask, you will need to mix a tablespoon of fat baby cream, 20 g of ground red pepper and 30 ml of hot water in a bowl. Put the mixture in a water bath and heat for five minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from fire and cool. Apply another warm mask in a thick layer on the fingertips. Wash off after 30 minutes. The procedure can be performed once a week.