215 Best Doctors for Nail Disorders available in Bangalore

What are nail disorders?

Nails are usually smooth and have consistent coloring but as the age progresses vertical ridges may develop and the nails tend to become more brittle. Spots, discoloration, nail separation, etc may result from injuries to the fingers & hands, viral warts, infections, and few medications such as chemotherapy.

What are the symptoms of nail disorders?

Few changes in the nails can also be due to medical conditions and need immediate attention. One should consult the doctor if the following symptoms are seen:

• Dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color
• Change in the nail shape such as curling or clubbing
• Change in the nail thickness
• Brittle nails
• Pitted nails
• Bleeding nails
• Swollen or red nails
• Nails separating from the skin

What are the common nail disorders?

A variety of conditions changes the texture and shape of the nail and results in nail disorder. Few of the common nail disorders are:

Beau’s line - depression running across the fingernail and can be the sign of malnourishment. And beau’s line can be caused due to:

• Diseases with high fever such as measles, mumps, scarlet fever, etc
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Pneumonia
• Diabetes
• Zinc deficiency

Clubbing - the nail thickens and curves around the fingertips. The low levels of oxygen in the blood cause it and it is associated with:

• AIDS
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Inflammatory bowel disorder
• Liver disease
• Pulmonary diseases

Koilonychia  - the fingernails scoop outward and for raised ridges like a spoon and it can be a sign of:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• A condition limiting blood circulation
• Heart diseases
• Hemochromatosis
• Lupus erythematosus
• Hypothyroidism

Leukonychia - nonuniform white spots appear on the nails as a result of injury or trauma and are harmless if the individual is healthy. However, it can also be associated with a nutritional deficiency or poor health and the factors are:

• Infections
• Metabolic disease
• Systemic disorder
• Certain drugs

Mees’ lines - transverse lines across the fingernails and can be a sign of arsenic poisoning and the doctor will take the sample of the hair or tissue to check for arsenic.

Onycholysis - the nail separates from the nail bed and causes white discoloration. The factor for cause are:

• Infection
• Trauma
• Products used on nails
• Thyroid disorder
• Psoriasis

Pitting - small depression or little pits on the nails and the causes are:

• Psoriasis
• Dry and irritated skin
• Red rashes
• Systemic diseases

Terry’s nails - the tips of nails has dark bands is if often due to aging, other causes are:

• Congestive heart failure
• Liver disease
• Diabetes

Yellow nail syndrome - nail becomes thick and grows slowly. Sometimes while pulling the cuticle the whole nail comes off. This causes due to:

• Internal malignancies
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lymphedema
• Respiratory diseases
• Pleural effusion

How to take care of nail disorders?

• Biting, tearing, pulling of the nails should be avoided.
• Always cut nails through nail clippers and after bath as the nails are soft.
• Nails should be kept dry and clean.
• Trim the nails straight across and round the tips gently.
• If the nails are weak and brittle, keep the nails short to avoid breakage.
• Keep the nails and nail beds moisturized by using lotions.
• If professional manicure is done, then make sure that the nail salon is properly certified and the techniques are sterilized.
• Long-term nail polish and overuse of nail polish remover should be avoided.