Nail by Ray Sahelian, M.D. - Natural Nail Health

Hair and nails are often stated to have much in common in relation to their origin, anatomical structures, and common involvement in many diseases. Hair and nails are predominantly epithelial structures derived from primitive epidermis and made up of keratinous fibrils embedded in a sulfur-rich matrix. It was first noted early in the 20th century that the nail unit was comparable in several respects to a hair follicle sectioned longitudinally and laid on on its side. The epithelial components of hair follicle and nail apparatus are differentiated epidermal structures that may be involved jointly in several ways as congenital and hereditary anomalies and acquired conditions such as alopecia areata, lichen planus, iatrogenic causes, and fungal infection. See nail fungus for a natural treatment for this difficult condition.


Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update newsletter. Once or twice a month we email a brief abstract of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics, and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will discuss natural nail disease treatment research.

 

Nail fungus
Onychomycosis is the most common nail disease and describes the invasion of the nail by fungi. Different clinical patterns of infection depend on the way and the extent by which fungi colonize the nail: distal subungual onychomycosis, proximal subungual onychomycosis, white superficial onychomycosis, endonyx onychomycosis and total dystropic onychomycosis. The type of nail invasion depends on both the fungus responsible and on host susceptibility. Treatment of onychomycosis depends on the clinical type of the onychomycosis, the number of affected nails and the severity of nail involvement. The goals for antifungal therapy are mycological cure and a normal looking nail. Click onychomycosis for a potential natural nail fungus cure.

Nail fungus treatment
Topical methods for nail fungus treatment are usually not effective, although they do work occasionally in some people. Two newer, more effective, oral medications have now become the standard treatment options. Itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamasil) are both FDA approved for the treatment of nail fungus. The most frequent side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and rash. As with other medications used to treat nail fungus, liver enzyme abnormalities can occur and should be monitored. The medicines work even better if part of the fungus-filled nail is filed away, perhaps by a podiatrist. Tea Tree Oil is helpful for athlete's foot.

Nail biting
Nail-biting (onychophagia) is a common stress-relieving habit. People bite nails in times of stress or excitement, or in times of boredom or inactivity. It can also be a learned behavior from family members. Nail-biting is the most common of the typical "nervous habits," which include thumb-sucking, nose-picking, hair-twisting or -pulling, tooth-grinding, and picking at skin. One can stop nail biting by finding ways to relieve stress.

Ingrown toe nail
Ingrowing toe nails are one of the most common foot complaints treated by a podiatrist. An ingrown toe nail can be very painful and patients may often be very reluctant to have the condition treated. An Ingrowing toe nail is caused by a splinter of nail or the whole nail causing pressure into the skin. Some Ingrown toe nails are acute which means that they have occurred due to a injury to the toe. Others are chronic, which means the patient has had the problem for a long period of time. The large toe is usually affected, however, ingrown toe nail can also affect the lesser toes.

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Brittle nail cause
Brittle nails can be a normal result of aging or they can be caused by a medical condition. This is a list of reason that can cause your nails to be brittle and break easily: Frequent use of nail polish, remover, hardeners or other cosmetic nail applications. Reduced amounts of certain vitamins or minerals in the body, possibly zinc or iron. Problems with the thyroid gland.

Nail pigmentation
Longitudinal pigmentation of the nail is very common. The differential diagnosis varies from subungual hematoma, to a fungal infection, to a melanocytic lesion (lentigo, nevus melanoma, etc.) to others.

Nail growth after death
Q. Is it true that hair and nails continue to grow after death?
   A. Skin dries out and retracts after death, giving the appearance of longer hair or nails. Once we die, hair and nails no longer grow.


Nail Disease emails
Q. I go to a nail salon for nail care and pedicure. I heard that it is possible to catch an infection at a nail salon. Is that true?
   A. It is possible to catch a nail infection or nail fungus if the nail salon does not follow proper hygiene.

Q. I have developed vertical nail lines, or nail ridges, in my fingernails. I'm wondering if there is a vitamin, or mineral, that I am not getting enough of, or am not absorbing completely. Can you please guide me to the product that might help my finger nail cause.
   A. We are not aware of a specific vitamin or supplement that could take care of a fingernail ridge or vertical line, but you could google vertical line nail and come across some ideas.



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