Types of Fingernail Disease
We often see fingernails simply as "scratching tools," but they actually protect the tissues of our fingers. Our fingernails are made up of layers of keratin, which is a hardened protein also found in our hair and skin. According to MedlinePlus, nails can provide an indicator to how healthy you are: when your nails are smooth with a consistent color, this generally indicates good health. However, certain fingernail discolorations and change in growth rate can signal disease.
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Splinter Hemorrhages
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Splinter hemorrhages are identifiable by their color, a reddish-brown hue. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) explains that splinter hemorrhages appear as a fine vertical line that looks like a splinter, just beneath the nail. Splinter hemorrhages occur when blood vessels in the nail bed are damaged, usually by injury. However, MedlinePlus also notes that certain medical conditions such as infection of the heart valves cause these hemorrhages too, so it's best to see a dermatologist to positively identify their cause.
Bacterial Infections
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Redness, pain and swelling in the folds of skin around the fingernail are symptoms of a bacterial infection, which is commonly caused by exposure to water and chemicals. The AAD recommends that you look out for any green discoloration, which indicates the presence of a bacterium called Pseudomonas. If you do have a bacterial infection, see a dermatologist.
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Warts
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A nail that changes shape can be indicative of a wart. Warts live in any part of the fingernail and can ultimately destroy it. A wart is a viral infection that affects the skin surrounding or beneath the nail. Warts can be very painful and may prevent you from using the affected finger. Your doctor can remove the wart by freezing it.
Mucinous Cysts
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Mucinous cysts, described as "clear, jelly-filled papules or sacs" by the American Academy of Dermatology, appear at the base of the fingernail. These cysts can become painful and damage or deform your fingernail. Removal of the cyst is the recommended treatment for this condition.
Dark Spots or Streaks
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The appearance of dark spots or streaks could be the result of an injury. If you haven't had an injury to your fingernail, go to see your doctor as in this case any dark spots or streaks could indicate a melanoma, "the most lethal form of skin cancer," says the AAD.
Psoriatic nails
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If you have psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches, you might also suffer from nail problems. The American Academy of Dermatology lists symptoms of this condition as rippling, pitting and nail discoloration. Also, the skin beneath the nail may become reddish-brown. Additionally, splinter hemorrhages may form and the nail may separate from the nail bed or it may crumble or split.
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References
- Photo Credit bad finger image by the h from Fotolia.com
