Not everyone knows that the appearance of individual organs and parts of the human body can form a picture of the state of his body as a whole. So, for example, according to the condition of the tongue, skin or cornea of the eye, it will not be difficult for an experienced specialist to assess the work of the internal organs and systems of a person. The presence of features characteristic of individual diseases often helps to establish the true ailment.
Features of the appearance of the nail plate in individuals often act as a defining symptom in establishing an accurate diagnosis. Most of them have a completely reasonable explanation, others indicate deviations in the work of the body. Many complain of brittleness and delamination of nails. What can they talk about? Is it true that a person has an infectious or fungal disease if the toenail turns white. What to do in this case?
Turned whitetoenail: causes
The process of the appearance of a light shade on the plate can proceed in different ways. Most often, it happens that the toenail has turned white from the base. There may be several reasons for this condition.
Genetic predisposition
The first reason should not be emphasized if one of your close relatives, in particular, your parents, has a similar phenomenon. Heredity plays an important role in the transmission of not only genetic diseases to a child, but also specific features of the structure, appearance, and functioning of organs and systems.
Influence of external factors
Often the reason why the toenails turn white is the chemicals used in the household, and sometimes cosmetics. In such cases, it is important to remember what you used on the eve of the onset of the symptom and whether your plates were exposed to chemical compounds (for example, cosmetic varnishes). Often the cause is cheap decorative varnishes containing dangerous chemicals, and white spots that appear on the nails signal an allergic reaction.
Decrease in blood hemoglobin
This complex iron-containing protein is responsible for transporting oxygen molecules to all tissues of the human body. Due to the deficiency of this protein, oxygen starvation develops and, as a result, iron deficiency anemia. One of the distinguishing symptoms of thiscondition is marked pallor of the skin, including tarnishing and pallor of the nails.
Normally, a pink shade of nails is considered acceptable for a he althy person, while a patient with chronic anemia has a deformation of the nail plate with a pronounced whitish tint of the nail surface.
This kind of condition is corrected with the help of special iron-containing preparations or by saturating the diet with iron-rich foods. Anemia is diagnosed by laboratory tests of blood composition (clinical analysis).
Failure of the spleen
The spleen is involved in several important processes for the human body, including the process of blood filtration.
Due to the malfunction of this organ, small depressions form on the surface of the nails, the color of the nail changes (whitening of the nail plate is observed).
Serious disorders require no less serious treatment. In the presence of concomitant symptoms (pain in the left hypochondrium, a feeling of fullness, weakness, etc.), it is important to consult a doctor in time. The sooner the doctor diagnoses the disease, the greater the chance of a quick cure.
Nail fungus (onychomycosis)
A fairly common fungal disease, the initial stage of which is characterized by the appearance of white longitudinal stripes and spots on the nail plate. As the fungal infection spreads, the nail takes on a dirty gray or yellow tint. Infected plates become denser, and over time begin to deform andcrumble.
As the fungus progresses, it may happen that the toenail turns white and falls off. As a result of the disease, the plate becomes thicker and seems to rise, in some cases an unpleasant odor appears.
In order not to bring the disease to a severe form, it is important to start treatment of onychomycosis at an early stage of infection. Currently, a large number of new tools and methods are used in the treatment of nail fungus: from special varnishes, ointments and sprays to laser destruction of fungal spores.
Injury to the finger in the area of the nail plate
Even a harmless bruise can affect the discoloration of the nail, and with a serious injury, blackening of the nail plate due to internal hemorrhage can be observed. In some cases, after the wound has healed, the nail begins to come off or remains deformed. In addition to bruises, a microtrauma caused during the process of grinding the nail plate by a pedicure master can provoke a similar symptom.
Infection of the body with parasites
This is a rare but likely cause of a white toenail. In cases of massive helminthic invasions, a decrease in the protective functions of the body (malfunctions of the immune system) is observed, as a result of which the plate becomes noticeably thinner, and the lack of vitamins affects its appearance. In particular, the shade and appearance are changing.
If the reason why the toenail turned white lies in the parasiticinfection of the body, the patient requires complex treatment. It is aimed at eliminating the true cause, followed by replenishment of the vitamins and trace elements missing in the body, which are necessary to give the nails a he althy appearance.
Autoimmune diseases
The manifestation of such diseases is associated with the production of autoimmune antibodies that affect he althy cells of the body. The list of autoimmune diseases includes over one hundred and forty names, including such common diseases as type 1 diabetes, psoriasis and endometriosis.
The hallmark of a malfunctioning human immune system is whitened toenails. In addition to white blotches, pronounced red spots may appear. Such a manifestation is a serious reason to immediately consult a doctor and carry out a series of diagnostic measures.
Treatment and prevention
Since the reasons why the toenail turned white are heterogeneous in nature, the treatment of symptoms directly depends on the mechanism for the formation of such a phenomenon. As a rule, after the elimination of the underlying cause, the symptoms and consequences of the disease disappear.
Based on this, in order to maintain a he althy condition of the nails, experts offer a set of general measures aimed at preventing symptoms:
- observance of the correct diet and diet to avoid deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the body;
- reception of special vitamin complexes as a prevention of beriberi;
- avoiding stressful conditions;
- precautions;
- regular visits to the clinic to check the general condition of the body;
- strict adherence to hygiene rules.
As a topical treatment when the toenail turns white, the following are allowed:
- Baths with a solution of sea s alt. For one liter of water, add a teaspoon of sea s alt without impurities and dyes. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes.
- Bath with the addition of oak bark and chamomile. For cooking, the following recipe is used: per liter of water, brew one teaspoon of oak bark and chamomile. Let it brew. The duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes.
- Applying a compound made from olive oil and lemon juice to the sore nail.
- Use of protective and strengthening varnishes.
A properly functioning body eliminates the possibility of unpleasant symptoms. That is why a he althy lifestyle and adherence to medical recommendations can avoid most diseases.
