Biting your fingernails can trigger nail problems.
Monitoring your fingernails can be essential to your health. The color, texture, shape and strength of your nails reveals a lot about your physical well-being. Sudden changes in the appearance of your fingernails can indicate an underlying medical condition. When you discover problems early, you can get treatment immediately. Proper nail care and a healthy diet help prevent many nail problems while maintaining nail health.
Yellow Nail Syndrome
When your nails turn yellow, release themselves from the nail bed and seem thicker than normal, you may have yellow nail syndrome. This condition, triggered when your lymphatic system and lungs have problems functioning correctly, occurs commonly during middle age. Your legs may appear swollen, and frequent episodes of bronchitis or pneumonia are not uncommon. The distorted appearance of your nails is hard to erase, even when the swelling and respiratory problems are treated. Applying vitamin E to the nails or taking vitamin E supplements can help improve fingernails' appearance.
Spoon Nails
Spoon nails, also referred to as koilonychia, is a condition that makes the fingernails resemble spoons. The nails are flat and flare up and outward at the edges. The condition is hereditary but can also be brought on by trauma to the nails, frequent biting of the nails and underlying medical conditions, such as anemia. Applying beautifying products to the affected fingernails is not recommended, but with your doctor's approval, overlays can be applied to cover the distorted nails.
Fingernail Infections
The most common fingernail infection, paronychia, starts at the edge of the fingernail and can ultimately spread to the finger. The painful condition may come with swelling, redness and pus buildup. Nail infections can be triggered when you expose your hands to moist conditions or don't practice proper hygiene. If you treat it early, the nail can recover. Soak the nail four times a day in an even mixture of warm water and antibacterial soap for a soothing effect. Your doctor may treat the condition with medicine, he may drain the pus from the nail, or he may remove the nail.
White Nails
White nails, also known as leukonychia, come in three different variants. All variants are characterized by nails that have lost their transparency and are discolored, either fully or partially. The condition is hereditary but can also be caused by high fever, nail biting, respiratory infections and tuberculosis. You can apply nail polish to improve their appearance. A diet rich in vegetables, grains and nuts, and taking a daily zinc supplement, can help eliminate the discoloration.
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