In the article we will talk about why black spots appear on the nails of the hands. We will deal with this phenomenon in detail, as well as try to understand why this happens and how to avoid it. If this topic is relevant to you, continue reading our article.
Introduction to the topic
As you know, absolutely any person at one time or another in his life becomes more or less susceptible to certain diseases. Most often, it depends on the overall he alth, as well as how strong the immune system of the person is. That is why it is very important to regularly monitor your condition in order to detect the first alarm signals in time and respond to them correctly.
It should be noted that black spots on the nails of the hands are a kind of signal from the body that it gives in case of a certain malfunction in its work. Our body sends quite a lot of such signals, but not everyone pays enough attention to them. Nevertheless, if you detect the problem in time and deal with its causes, you can avoid negative consequences.
He althy nails
If a person has no he alth problems, then his nails look he althy. The appearance of he althy nails provides a smooth, even surface without roughness of uniform color throughout the plate, except for the lunula and the cut line. In addition, if the plate is not mechanically damaged, then it should have a slight sheen. As for the shade of the nails, it should be light pink. If your nails do not meet any of these criteria, then most likely there are some problems in the body.
Among other things, it is necessary to pay attention not only to such problems as weakness and delamination of nails, which are often considered exclusively a cosmetic defect. Spots, nets, irregularities and various kinds of deformation of the plate - all this can tell us about certain pathologies that prevent he althy nails from growing freely. The reason for such deviations can either lie in individual diseases of the internal organs, or lie directly in the growth of the nail plate.
What causes spots on nails?
So, if a black spot appeared on the fingernail, what could be the reason? In fact, there are quite a few options: it can be a matter of chemical harm, damage to the nail plate, and infection is also possible. In addition, such problems can appear due to serious disorders in the functioning of the body or as a result of severe stress. Besidesit must be remembered that the appearance of the nail plate may change even due to the fact that you will neglect the simplest rules of hygiene.
There are several reasons for the appearance of black spots on the nails. Let's look at each of them below.
Small deformations
If you have such problems with your nails as small spots, slight distortions or small bruises under the plate, then the reason may be some kind of microtrauma that you might not even notice and feel discomfort during its application. Very often, such injuries happen to people who are actively involved in sports. In addition, a black spot under the nail often appears in those who, by occupation, are on their feet for a large amount of time during the day.
Toenails are subject to deformations no less often. Many do not think about the fact that he alth depends on the right shoes. So, if you wear shoes that are too tight, you may well earn yourself a whole bunch of various diseases and deviations regarding nails. The fact is that wearing shoes that are not your size or simply bring discomfort can threaten not only bruising, but also deformation of the fingers. At first glance, this seems harmless, but in fact, in the future, it can lead to the development of arthritis.
In addition, you need to pay special attention to all chemicals that your hands come into contact with. Various fertilizers, chemicals and detergents can seriously harm the he alth of your nails. You have to work with themCarefully, be sure to use high-quality protective gloves. Note that most chemical mixtures have such a side effect as a change in the pigmentation of the skin or nails, so be prepared that if you neglect your safety rules, you can not only spoil the appearance and aesthetics of your nails, but also get serious he alth problems.
Fungus
Black spots under fingernails can also occur due to infection. First of all, this applies to fungal diseases that penetrate under the nail plate and immediately multiply under it. In this way, they simply gradually destroy the structure of the nail. But how to understand: the nail is just bruised or is it already an infection? Note that the traces of the injury disappear after a few days, while black spots on the nails of the hands, which appeared as a result of a fungal infection, are visible for months. In addition, they can change their shape, increase.
At the same time, there are a number of other signs by which you can understand that the nails are affected by the fungus. The front plate is greatly modified and becomes uneven: it looks more rough, has various depressions and elevations that are felt when touched. The nail bed and side ridges also become inflamed.
Usually a fungal infection begins with the fact that circles of green or yellow appear on the nails. The appearance of dark circles is the next stage, which may be a signal that you have caught a fungal disease.
Illnesses of the body
Very often black spots on the nailshands, the causes of which do not lie in mechanical damage, may occur due to various malfunctions in the body.
So, circles that have a more brown tint may indicate a disorder in the functioning of the kidneys. Spots that are coal black, especially if they are located in groups, may indicate that there are some problems in the activity of the liver. Spots that have a bluish tint are reminiscent of a disorder in the cardiovascular system.
Particular attention should be paid to the state of your he alth if a black spot on the nail occurs simultaneously with rashes or neoplasms, such as moles and papillomas. In this case, it is necessary to contact an oncologist as soon as possible for an analysis and a detailed consultation. Note that very often cancer cells manifest themselves in this way in the human body. In this case, the person will not be able to solve this problem without surgery.
Avitaminosis
Not everyone knows that such a common problem as beriberi can also cause defects on the nails. When a person lacks vitamins in the body, he becomes especially susceptible to the appearance of elementary diseases. Scientists believe that even a lack of one important element can cause significant harm to he alth.
Most often, black spots on the nails of the hands, the photos of which we see in the article, appear in people who do not eat right or decide to follow various diets,contraindicated to them in principle due to the state of he alth or characteristics of the organism. If a person does not have enough protein, then because of this, vitamin deficiency can develop, which, in turn, causes anemia. That is why it is necessary to closely monitor that meat and dairy products, fiber, and cereals are always included in the diet.
Defect Shapes
It is quite natural that the spots that appear on the nail plate can take on a completely different shape and occupy a different size area of the nail bed. Quite often, the cause can be determined by looking at the shape of the black spot under the nail.
So, if you had a hematoma after a minor injury, then most likely there will be small round spots with very clear edges. If a microtrauma was received during sports or other active pastime, then dark stripes may form on the nails. In the event that the defect has blurred contours or the nail has completely darkened, we can talk about a fungal infection. If the dots on the nails are almost invisible, but still present, then this may indicate a malfunction of the liver. The more of them, the more difficult the situation.
Be that as it may, you should not independently diagnose yourself based on the shape of the spot, because only a qualified doctor can provide high-quality diagnostics. It is noteworthy that even he cannot always visually determine the cause of this pathology with absolute accuracy, and then heresorts to analytical research and the collection of anamnesis of the patient.
Prevention
To avoid this kind of anomalies on the nails of their hands, people should be more attentive to their he alth and take preventive measures, including basic hygienic care for them. Prevention can be meaningless only in the case of oncology or a predisposition to pigmentation. Nevertheless, even in this case, if you contact a specialist in a timely manner, you can solve the problem in time, preventing it from spreading to neighboring nails.
As for all other situations, black spots on the nails can be prevented if certain rules are followed. So, it is necessary to regularly care not only for the nails, but also for the hands. It is very important to observe the simplest rules of hygiene in order to exclude the possibility of fungal infection. If you are doing manicures and pedicures, then you should use only individual tools or pre-treat them with special solutions. If the procedure is carried out in the salon, then you simply have to make sure that everything happens at the proper level.
If you do not want a black spot on the thumbnail or on the plates of neighboring fingers to ruin your life, always use only your hygiene items. So the likelihood of catching an infection of the same fungus from an infected person is minimized.
Food and lifestyle
Always watch your dietnutrition so that the body receives all the necessary trace elements and vitamins. Choose the right shoes in order not to deform the toes, and also not to develop various foot defects. If you work with chemicals and clean the apartment with cleaning agents saturated with acids, then be sure to use protective gloves in order to prevent the appearance of various rashes and pigmentation.
Also learn to properly distribute physical activity, whether you are at work or in the gym. Perform exercises with proper technique and make sure that your limbs do not receive even microscopic injuries. If you notice any changes in your body that suggest that certain failures have occurred, then it is better to consult a doctor immediately. This way you can prevent possible serious problems. Remember that it is better to visit the doctor one more time than to forget to do it at the most inopportune moment.
Bad habits
In fact, a rather indecent and simply unaesthetic habit is considered to be a constant desire to bite your nails. Many adults under the influence of stress can start this impartial process involuntarily, due to neurosis and an unstable emotional state, which ultimately can lead to deformation of the nail plate.
In any case, if you have a black spot on the nail of the thumb, in fact, as well as on the rest of the nails, in no case try to hide this problem withthe help of nail polish or any cosmetic procedures. This way you will only delay the solution of the problem, and possibly exacerbate it.
Treatment and traditional medicine
Also, in the event of stains on the nails, many ignore them, let them take their course and are in no hurry to see a doctor. From the point of view of a proper attitude to one's he alth, this is fundamentally wrong. But for some reason, everyone forgets that the easiest way to solve various diseases and defects is at the initial stage, when they are easily amenable to external influence. So, a black spot on the nail of the thumb or other fingers is a good reason to see a doctor. If you encounter this problem, you should immediately sign up for a consultation with a specialist. Interestingly, this pathology is encountered equally often by men and women.
The specialist will be able to diagnose a neoplasm on the nail only after he conducts a visual examination of the anomaly and receives the results of the tests. Treatment will depend directly on the causes and nature of the particular disease. Most often, this is outpatient therapy: the doctor prescribes the appropriate medications, and the patient conscientiously takes the prescribed medications at home.
In addition to drugs, vitamins can also be prescribed to help support the body and strengthen the immune system. All this also allows you to significantly improve the condition of the nail integument. At the same time, doctors themselves very often recommend, along with traditional treatment, to use folk methods that are most effective and have proven their right toExistence. However, you can use them only if your doctor really approves. But what methods of folk treatment contribute to getting rid of black and white spots on the nails of the hands?
Note that folk methods are most often aimed at getting rid of both light and dark defects on the nails, because they generally strengthen the immune system and allow you to get rid of various kinds of nail distortions. It is very important to let your doctor know exactly how you will use alternative medicine, because its methods should not contradict your treatment.
In this case, it is better to refuse to visit beauty salons during the treatment period, and also not to do manicures and pedicures. After treatment, it is important to choose a good master, in whom you can be confident and with whom you will surely know that he uses only individual instruments or that they are processed in the right way and in sufficient quantities. If you suspect that the master does not disinfect his working tools, then we recommend that you refuse to visit such a salon.
Note that it is also very important to pay attention to nutrition. Therefore, before wondering why there is a black spot on the nail, analyze your lifestyle and diet. Very often, this problem can be eliminated simply by adjusting your daily regimen. In other words, you may not even need medication, but you should definitely consult a doctor so that he checksis there really no infection and is it possible to focus on nutrition and lifestyle.
Be careful, monitor the condition of your hands and nails, and also be sensitive if they change their appearance. Remember that everything has its reasons. And never self-medicate - better leave it to a competent specialist who, with the help of modern medical equipment and reliable tests, will be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and take qualified measures.
