Stripes on nails - longitudinal or transverse, causes of appearance, diagnosis, treatment methods and prevention

What do longitudinal stripes on nails look like?

Healthy fingernails You should always listen to your body.
He can tell us a lot. Thanks to external manifestations, you can determine what is happening inside you. Look carefully at your fingernails without varnish or any coating. In healthy people, the nail plate is smooth and shiny. Healthy nails are smooth to the touch and do not have any bulges or irregularities (see photo on the right). Stripes on nails

If you see longitudinal stripes on the nail plate, then this is a signal that should not be ignored. You need to understand the reason for the appearance of stripes on your nails. There may be several of them on one nail or on all of them, located in the middle or along the edges, and in some cases throughout the entire plate. The stripes can be white, black, or the same shade as the plate itself (see photo). Vertical stripes on the nails should not be ignored and hidden under a thick layer of varnish in order to preserve the aesthetic appearance. Perhaps the reason needs to be looked much deeper and measures taken.

Why do black stripes appear on nails?

Look at your fingernails to make a diagnosis. Dark streaks appear suddenly. They differ in size, position and color intensity. Sometimes the stripes are pale and small, but sometimes they are pronounced. There is little good in this, so it is necessary to clarify the reason for the appearance in order to begin the fight.

Remember what you have done in the last few days. If there was an injury, the appearance of a black stripe is predictable. This is the simplest cause of the defect and is easy to establish. After a few days the problem disappears by itself.

If you wear uncomfortable and tight shoes, the appearance of dark stripes cannot be avoided. Your nails become damaged, causing the plate to become deformed. The condition of the nails depends on the work of the manicurist. He must cut the cuticle correctly and polish the plate without damage.

With age, the nail plate changes. The neat shape and color disappears because capillary atherosclerosis develops in an elderly person. Defects in old age cannot be avoided, so you need to regularly do manicures and take care of your hands.

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With poor nutrition, the body begins to act up. It tries to tell the person that the diet is interfering with normal functioning. One of the alarm bells is dark stripes on the nails. During a diet, your body is deprived of nutrients and vitamins, so problems with the appearance of your hands cannot be avoided. If you return to a healthy diet, the body will compensate for the lack of microelements.

When a person has heart problems, the appearance of small black stripes along the edges of the nail plate is predictable. The cause is anemia, endocarditis and various infections. If you do not know about problems with the functioning of the heart muscle, and spots appear, be sure to consult a doctor. This symptom indicates poor bowel function.

During pregnancy, hormonal pathologies begin. Taking medications affects the functioning of the endocrine system, which is why dark stripes appear. In diabetes mellitus, this symptom is very common. If your back hurts frequently, check your spine. The tumor and hernia cause disturbances in the functioning of the spinal cord, and this leads to the appearance of stripes on the nails.

Monitor your health to prevent the development of diseases in time. Black stripes appear during the development of melanoma, a skin cancer. The fungus can also damage the plate. The infection is dangerous, it is easy to catch it even in a beauty salon during a manicure from a qualified specialist.

Long-term use of medications results in the appearance of dark stripes. Don't forget about the use of chemicals. They spoil the nail plate and damage it. For example, low-quality varnish or gel.

At the beginning of the article, the common causes of the unpleasant defect were announced. It does not look aesthetically pleasing, and also signals problems with the immune system. Check yourself against the list to determine the cause of the stripes. We recommend that you consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnostics

Since nails are an ideal indicator of health, any pathological changes should be addressed to a mycologist, dermatologist or podologist (a doctor specializing in foot diseases). Diagnosis is based on a comprehensive study of the presence of diseases in the patient. The following examination methods will help you get an overall picture:

• General urine and blood tests will detect the presence or absence of an inflammatory process.
• Ultrasound diagnostics of the liver and cardiovascular system will help to identify or exclude pathologies of these organs.
• A blood test to determine your vitamin and mineral balance will help you prescribe the right diet.

In addition to the initial examination, the following diagnostic procedures may be prescribed:

• UAC and BAC;
• general analysis of urine and feces;
• endoscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Ultrasound of internal organs;
• CT;
• MRI;
• ECG;
• immunological studies.

The exact diagnostic program will depend on the current clinical picture and the history collected during the initial examination.

Causes of longitudinal stripes

Many women, upon discovering stripes on their fingernails, panic and try to take action; others, on the contrary, don’t even worry about it. Why do these stripes appear and what does it mean, let's figure it out.

The appearance of longitudinal stripes on the fingernails in old age should not cause concern, as this is a normal phenomenon associated with age-related changes in the body. It is impossible to get rid of them, but you can still make them less noticeable.

If stripes appear far before the age of old age, then this may be due to the following reasons:

• hormonal imbalance in the body;
• metabolic problems;
• deficiency of minerals: zinc, iron, vitamin B12;
• functional disorder of the digestive or endocrine systems;
• excess carbohydrates;
• infectious diseases;
• stressful situations, nervous overstrain;
• injury to the cuticle or nail plate;
• fungus;
• decreased immunity;
• cardiac and vascular pathologies;
• damage to the central nervous system;
• arthritis;
• gout.

Regular use of low-quality varnish, manicure in which the cuticle or plate was damaged, provoke the appearance of longitudinal stripes on the nails. Also, nails may become streaky due to the extension procedure.

Diseases whose symptoms are longitudinal grooves

Basically, vertical grooves appear in the center of the nail plate or along the edges parallel to each other. They do not always indicate the presence of a disease. Such strips are possible for people over 65 years of age.

Sometimes they occur as a result of a previous illness. After appropriate treatment, after a few months, the stripes disappear.

The condition of your nails can tell you a lot

Vertically located grooves on the fingernails – the reasons for their appearance:

• psoriasis;
• joint diseases (arthrosis, rheumatoid arthritis);
• lichen planus;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• disruption of the spinal cord (in this case, the center of the nail plate becomes flat, and the grooves themselves become narrow);
• suffered stress;
• pathology of the intestines or pancreas (in this case, the grooves protrude greatly).

Reasons for the appearance of stripes

The reasons can be very diverse, but they are all divided into two groups: internal and external.

External

Often external irritants have a strong effect on our body and nails, in particular. Such reasons include:

• Incorrectly done manicure. If the skin at the base of the nail has been severely damaged, this can cause streaks to appear;
• Use of many decorative means. Very often, nails suffer and become ribbed if the nails cannot breathe due to low-quality varnishes. Also, such manifestations can occur when a woman gets extended nails;
• The appearance of fungus or skin problems.

Domestic

There are also internal reasons that affect the appearance of nails:

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• Lack of B vitamins, iron and zinc;
• Disturbances in the endocrine system. This occurs in people suffering from obesity, diabetes, and certain diseases of the digestive system;
• With poor metabolism, nails become an indicator of an unhealthy position;
• Nervous system disorders;
• Diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Description of the problem

Pronounced nail protrusion usually does not cause concern for people. However, in order to avoid aggravating possible complications, it is better to take care of solving this problem in advance. If the nail bed does not have a uniform, smooth surface,

and dotted with vertical or horizontal stripes, layers or cracks - this is the ribbing of the nails

.

• Vertical ribbing
  - a groove
  extends from the base of the nail bed to the free edge
  . It can be in the form of a dense structure or several rare grooves. The stripes may have the appearance of a bend, distortion of the smooth surface of the nail, have a clearly defined fracture structure or layering of keratinized nail matter.
• Horizontal ribbing
  -
  
  pits and grooves run from the side to the center of They can be intermittent, semicircular, thin or clear. The stripes can end in the middle of the nail plane, or they can cross it completely.

If your nail plate does not have a smooth surface, then be sure to pay attention to the nature of the irregularities, study the structure to correctly assess the problem, and take steps to correct the situation.

Principles of treatment for striped nails

To get rid of stripes on the nail plate, it is necessary to establish the cause of their appearance. Your doctor will help you with this. He will prescribe certain examinations, after which he will be able to diagnose the disease. It is quite possible that these studies will not reveal any pathological changes in the body, then you will have to visit a cosmetologist.

Of course, you can try to solve the problem yourself: balance your diet, start taking a multivitamin complex, reduce your intake of high-carbohydrate foods. If there was a lack of nutrients in the body, then the stripes should disappear after some time.

You have adjusted your diet, lead a healthy lifestyle, are not nervous, and the stripes on your fingernails still do not disappear, which means you still need to consult a specialist. If the cause of striped nails lies in diseases of the body systems, then the main attention will be paid to restoring the damaged organ. If the problem of the longitudinal stripes turns out to be a fungus, the doctor will prescribe special antifungal agents. However, you should not forget about proper nutrition.

The problem of striped nails due to mechanical damage can be solved by a cosmetologist or special procedures that can be done at home.

First of all, the cosmetologist will recommend abandoning extended nails for a while and prescribe hygienic procedures for caring for hands and nails:

1. Use of specialized medicated lotions, moisturizers and oils.
2. Gentle polishing of nails. This procedure is carried out only in a beauty salon. It consists of three stages: leveling the damaged plate, applying a healing agent and coating with a protective agent.
3. Carrying out paraffin therapy. Paraffin sealing is beneficial for damaged fingernails. The procedure not only improves your health, but also serves as a prevention of diseases of the nail plates. Special cosmetic paraffin, saturated with beneficial substances, is applied to striped nails for two weeks. Paraffin resembles a colorless varnish, so it is not noticeable on the nails. During this period, nails should be protected from mechanical damage and direct sunlight.

Polishing the nail: rules of treatment

In order to eliminate the external defect of the nail plate, you can polish it with a special nail file.

It is necessary to polish your nails with skill

This procedure is easy to carry out independently at home, taking into account simple rules:

1. The nail plate must not be damaged, so be sure to grind strictly in one direction: from right to left or from top to bottom.
2. Carefully polish all scratches and hangnails formed on the nail.
3. You should not touch the cuticle, as damage to it leads to deterioration of the condition of the nail.
4. It is allowed to remove a small layer of nail at a time.
5. When finished, wash your hands well and rub in nail strengthening cream.
6. Carry out the procedure maximum once a week, leaving time for recovery.

Diagnosis of leukonychia

If stripes or white dots on the fingernails or toenails appear once and disappear as the nail plate grows, there is no reason for serious concern. Apparently it was microtrauma or short-term stress. If the nail on the toe or hand has turned white for a long time and gradually acquires a brown tint, it is necessary to take care of a complete diagnosis.

The doctor will conduct a spectral analysis and scrape the nail for pathogenic fungi. White superficial onychomycosis itself does not disappear, and its treatment in advanced cases can take many months. Without treatment, the nail plate will soon move away from the finger. If the doctor finds signs of serious internal pathologies, he will refer you to specialized specialists: a cardiologist, a gastroenterologist.

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Treatment options

There is no single cure for this disease. If the nail defect is caused by a certain disease, its disappearance will occur on its own some time after recovery.

Taking care of your nails is an important factor influencing their condition.

When the exact diagnosis is unknown, it is necessary to undergo a full examination to establish it. Moreover, the lines that form on the nail plates do not themselves require drug treatment. This problem should be addressed to a cosmetologist.

Home treatments

You can eliminate unwanted manifestations on your nails at home. To do this, you need to know simple techniques that will help not only strengthen the nail plate, but also restore its structure.

Good remedies for healthy nails at home are:

1. Compresses. Oils are ideal for this: vegetable or essential. Olive oil is considered the most beneficial oil for nails and skin. It perfectly moisturizes and nourishes. Oils can be mixed to create an individual cosmetic product that must be applied daily to damaged nails.
2. Baths. There are a lot of recipes. However, the most useful is a hand bath with a solution of sea salt. Dilute 1 tbsp in warm boiled water. soda, 2 tbsp. sea ​​salt and two drops of pharmaceutical iodine. Immerse your hands in the prepared solution for 15-20 minutes, then dry with a towel and apply nourishing cream to your nails. You can prepare herbal baths using infusions of pharmaceutical herbs: calendula, chamomile, oak bark, celandine.
3. Massage. This procedure will help normalize blood circulation in the nail plate and improve the supply of nutrients. For massage, use nourishing nail cream or cosmetic oil. The product must be applied to the nail plate in a circular motion until a feeling of warmth from the massage appears.
4. Lemon juice. Lemon is known to have whitening and restorative properties. You need to take the juice into a pipette and drop two drops onto each nail. Then you need to wait a while until the juice is completely absorbed into the plate.

Solving the problem with a manicure

To keep our nails beautiful and healthy, we must follow the basic rules for caring for them. After all, very often the problem of deformation is the result of improper care. When faced with such a problem, it is necessary to adjust your nail care procedures. Perhaps the right decision would be to seek advice from a specialist who will tell you how to properly care for your hands.

To eliminate pits on fingernails, compactions, curvatures, and other problems, you can use various cosmetic medications and procedures:

• Oil baths are great for preventing the appearance of wavy lines. They nourish the skin of the hands and cuticles well, preventing dryness.
• Baths with sea salt and essential oils. Salt baths are the most popular, affordable and effective care recipe. Salt cleanses and strengthens the tissue structure.
• Sage infusion baths with honey and olive oil will help if the nail coating begins to crack.
• To strengthen your nails and prevent them from splitting, take sea salt baths.
• You need to remember the basic rules that will help avoid deformation of the nail plates.
• When working with household chemicals, be sure to wear rubber or latex gloves to protect your hands from harmful substances.
• Limit frequent mechanical pressure and impact on nails, including their constant extension.
• Treat your manicure responsibly by not growing your nails. Actions should be gentle. You need to choose the right nail file and cosmetics for care.
• Before applying varnish, use a protective base.
• Varnishes and products that remove them do not allow the nail plate to be supplied with oxygen. It is very important to give your nails a rest for two to three days from varnishes and other products.

Solving the problem with a manicure

Self-treatment may worsen the problem. You should definitely consult your doctor. Especially if a child is sick.

Solutions to the problem

Children often develop white dots and stripes on their nails. In this case, this is a manifestation of a lack of vitamins. It is enough to balance your diet and include more fresh vegetables and herbs in your diet or take a course of complex vitamins. It is worse if longitudinal or transverse convex stripes appear on the nail plates. This may signal serious pathologies. There are several accessible and easy-to-use methods that will neutralize external factors and relieve most symptoms of systemic diseases.

It involves carefully cleaning the surface of the nail with hardware in a beauty salon or independently using manicure tools. With deep stripes, the services of a specialist will be required; barely visible defects can easily be eliminated manually.

Paraffin therapy

The procedure is similar to a manicure, where the varnish is replaced with cosmetic paraffin. It is applied to a previously cleaned surface. The composition enriches nails with vitamins, eliminates bacterial flora, and promotes their healing.

Baths made from a combination of vegetable, cosmetic and essential oils are considered a good healing and strengthening remedy. The mixture is heated in a water bath to a comfortable temperature. The tip of the unhealthy finger is immersed in the mixture and held until it cools.

Massage

The diseased nail is pre-treated with a rich cosmetic cream or oil. The plate is then massaged with the tip of the thumb using light pressure. A feeling of warmth and redness indicates blood flow, after which the massage can be stopped.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice helps correct defects. It can be applied in drops to each sore nail or applied as a 10-minute lotion with the pulp. The juice must be absorbed, so the procedure is carried out before bedtime, interaction with water is avoided.

Iodine and soda

A strengthening and restorative effect is provided by baths with a solution of a few drops of iodine, 2 tsp. sea ​​salt and soda dissolved in water. Baths are taken up to 2 times a day until the smooth texture of the nail is restored.

Impaired nail growth

Yellow nail syndrome

Born in 1964 PD Samman zi spivat. described the syndrome of yellow nails

(SZhN), for some characteristic results, the growth of thick nails in a yellow color; The lateral edges of the nail plates become convex, and the joint becomes thinner.

This syndrome can occur in patients with chronic bronchiectasis or sinusitis, pleural effusion, malignant diseases of internal organs, immunodeficiency syndromes and rheumatoid arthritis. With rheumata arthritis, yak is Zvilly, vyavlyavl at the quiet patsyntiv, the tіolovi medication (lifting, bucille is a tіomalat of the native gold), the yaki, obviously, the viclicay of the viscamygadani nigtiv.

Remnants of the SCN often affect patients with damaged lymphatic drainage from the terminals, or revealing that this pathology may be an etiological mechanism, although this theory has not been fully developed. Other researchers believe that the etiology of SHF may be associated with the leakage of proteins due to the increased penetration of the microcirculatory bed, which explains the frequent occurrence of this syndrome with hypoplasia buminemia, pleural effusion and lymphedema.

Change your fingers to the “drumstick” type

Changes in the fingers of the “drumstick” type (Fig. 3) - thickening of the soft tissues under the proximal part of the nail plate, which causes the “lip part” and thickening of this part of the finger. The etiology of this phenomenon is unlikely to be due to the accumulation of megakaryocytes and platelets, which escaped filtration in the pulmonary bed and entered the systemic circulation. Platelets in the nail bed can see platelet-derived growth factor, causing changes in the periosteum. The area between the part of the finger, proximal to the nail, and the proximal part of the nail plate straightens (Shamroth's symptom), which results in a diamond-shaped space in the norm, formations when the dorsal sides of the distal phalanges of the genitals are exposed their right and left fingers (Fig. 4).

Rice. 3.

Change your fingers to the “drumstick” type.

Rice. 4.

Shamroth's symptom.

“Drumsticks” are found in patients with neoplasms, especially with swollen legs and pleura, with other diseases of the legs (bronchiectasis, leg abscess, empyema, legenitis or cystic fibrosis). This symptom is also associated with arteriovenous malformations or fistulas, as well as celiac disease, cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, congenital heart disease and endocarditis. The presence of “drum sticks” without obvious associated illness will require debridement to exclude bronchogenic carcinoma or other associated illness.

Koilonychia

Koilonychia

The nail becomes flexed laterally and transversely, resulting in a “spoon-like” shape. This symptom of inodia is a normal variant in newborns. Koilonychia can result from injury, constant occupational contact of hands with gasoline-based substances, or in case of nail-patellar syndrome (autosomal dominant disease, which is characterized by hypoplastic patellas, which easily wiggle , wadi rozvitku nirok, skeleton and glaucoma). Koilonychia can also be eliminated in cases of saliva deficiency (or without secondary anemia) and in patients with hemochromatosis.

In patients with Raynaud's disease or worm's eye disease, there may be a “spoon-shaped” shape of the nails, which is not the only symptom of the disease. If koilonychia is eliminated without obvious connection with song sickness, you should check the rhubarb feritin and change the blood test to exclude hemochromatosis and hemochromatosis.

Dotted spots on the surface of the nails

Dotted spots on the surface of the nails occur in 10–50% of patients with psoriasis, but can also occur in many systemic diseases, including Reiter's syndrome and other diseases of the tissue, sarcoidosis, pustules and Bloch-Sulzberger's dermatoses vignis and pigmentosa. This symptom is due to a defect in the formation of the superficial balls of the nail plate with the proximal part of the nail matrix, such as localized dermatitis (for example, atopic or chemical dermatitis), which disrupts the normal growth process in it. and dilations, can also cause the appearance of pinpoint marks on the surface of the nails.

Onycholysis

Onycholysis - removal of the nail plate from the nail bed - causes the majority of the affected area. It can be caused by some kind of local pathological process (for example, nail warts or onychomycosis), which pushes the nail plate out of the bed, although the most common etiological cause is trauma.

Extraction occurs if the nail is mechanically pulled away from the bed or if a blow to the nail causes bleeding between the nail and the bed (Fig. 5). Onycholysis can occur in psoriasis if the distal part of the nail matrix is ​​affected. If no local etiological agent has been identified, then exclude hyperthyroidism (in which case onycholysis is called “plumber’s nails”). Hyperthyroidism also causes a change in nail color to brown.

Rice. 5.

Onycholysis and scalp-like hemorrhage.

Transverse linear nail polishing

Transverse linear embossing on the nail plate (Bo lines)

It was first described in 1846. Bo lines appear on the same part of the nail plate on most or all the patient’s nails due to any illness that can disrupt the normal growth of the nails (Fig. 6). Doctors, when the skin nail grows by approximately 1 mm over 6-10 days, can detect the moment of the pathological process, which is visible from the line of its embossing to the nail bed. Other etiological researchers in Bo's line include trauma and cold in patients with Raynaud's disease.

Rice. 6.

Lines Bo.

Mees lines

- cross-sectional white tan, which often affects many nails at the same time, although it can also be only on one finger - classically tied with a side of arse. To confirm this diagnosis, traces of hair or tissue stains can be carried out, the hair lines can be traced and in case of many other illnesses (div. Table 1).

In patients with Mesa lines, the nail bed is healthy, but the nail is microscopically fragmented, possibly due to disruption of normal growth along the nail matrix under the influence of a shock factor. The width of these lines varies and, as a result of the defect on the nail itself, over time the lines protrude distally. Therefore, you can determine the duration of the action of the skin-drying factor, which significantly extends from the line to the cuticle.

The pair of transverse white lines that extend across the entire nail are called Muerke's lines

and inform about the pathology of the vessels of the nail bed; the stench appears when pressed on the nail, when blood flows out of the veins under the nail. Remnants of the Muerke line manifest pathology of the nail bed, a stench that is replaced by the Mees line, which does not change as the nail grows. Muerke's lines appear in patients with hypoalbunemia (for example, the albumin level is less than 20 g/l) and disappear after normalization of the protein level. These lines can also occur in patients with nephrotic syndrome, liver disease and insufficient food.

In children and adults who lead an active way of life, leukonychia

- one or a few lines or spots on one or many nails (Fig. 7). These lines and spots are of heterogeneous shape, appear on different sections of different nails, do not extend along the whole nail and do not have any clinical significance. It is important to note that the smell is the result of a minor injury to the proximal part of the nail bed. In addition to the leukonichia, the Mees and Muerke lines are always parallel to the edge of the mixture.

Rice. 7.

Leukonychia.

Late linear nail care

Late-pigmented darks

Traps in the norm in particular with a dark skin, stinks can be in more than 77% of blacks older than 20 years. This symptom will require differentiation from subungual melanomas (Fig. 8), which occur in older adults and become 50% of melanomas in the population of dark-skinned patients. Table 2 lists factors that contribute to the prevalence of melanoma detection in certain patients. Such changes on the nails in patients with a risk group of melanoma should be followed if the disease has not been treated with additional biopsy.

Rice. 8.

Late pigmented dark brown (upper part) and suspicion of sublingual melanoma (lower part).

Table 2. Factors that increase the prevalence of melanoma detection in a patient with advanced age-related pigmentation

Late-day darkening

There are accentuated ridges on the surface of the nail, which indicate a normal warehousing process.
With trachyonychia
, the nails become thin and dark (look like an emery paper);
Since this process affects all nails, this condition is called dystrophy of twenty nails
. In this type of disorder, include lichen planus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and lichen planus. Trachyonychia is also eliminated in patients with vitiligo.

Preventive actions

The appearance of longitudinal stripes on the fingernails can be prevented, but to do this you need to properly care for them:

• carefully handle the cuticles, do not use a metal file if you prefer to do the manicure yourself;
• take multivitamin complexes twice a year;
• eat fresh fruits and vegetables, eat nuts, use vegetable oils when preparing dishes;
• do not get carried away with sweets and flour products;
• do healing hand baths every three days;
• prevent nail plates from contact with chemicals;
• in the cold season, wear gloves or mittens;
• to refuse from bad habits.

Now you know why longitudinal stripes appear on your fingernails and how to deal with them. You should not ignore this problem, as it can be much more serious than it seems at first glance. And a consultation with a specialist will not be superfluous; on the contrary, it will help to identify the true cause of changes in the structure of the nail.

Salon treatments

To restore the nail plate, you can order paraffin therapy at a beauty salon. This procedure is used to rejuvenate, moisturize and nourish the skin of the hands and nails.

The manipulation is simple - hands are immersed in paraffin (preheated in a water bath). After a slight hardening, the substance is removed. The result is moisturized, soft hand skin and strengthened nails.

To prevent the appearance of grooves on the nails, it is necessary to regularly perform manicures only in trusted beauty salons.

Paraffin therapy

To keep your nails beautiful and healthy, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a lot of vegetables and fruits and follow basic manicure rules.

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How to deal with them

First of all, you need to consult a doctor to find out what caused the appearance of longitudinal grooves on the nails. Adjusting your lifestyle is important - you should avoid stress, start eating right, getting enough sleep, etc.

Diet

Eliminate easily digestible carbohydrates from your menu (primarily baked goods and sweets), fast food, soda, alcohol, overly salty and spicy foods.

Be sure to stay hydrated and avoid dehydration. You need to drink about 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day.

What foods are recommended to include in the diet:

• leafy vegetables, beans, lentils (magnesium);
• red fruits - apples, pomegranates, currants (vitamins C, B, E, manganese);
• black radish (retinol, glycosides);
• rabbit meat, poultry (iron);
• dried apricots, nuts, sesame (calcium);
• fish oil (vitamin D);
• herring, mackerel, squid (selenium);
• oysters, wheat bran (zinc);
• oatmeal, brown rice (silica).

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Special care

You definitely need to start taking care of your nails:

• rub a mixture of vitamins A and E into the cuticle and nail plate overnight;
• Apply a cotton pad soaked in apple cider vinegar to your nails . You can secure it on top with a plaster, put on cotton socks or gloves. Leave overnight. In the morning, wash the treated areas with laundry soap. The procedure should be carried out 2 times a week until the problem goes away. Vinegar gets rid of infection and strengthens the nail plate.
• It is useful to make baths with oils - almond, olive, jojoba, sea buckthorn or linseed (it needs to be heated until warm). Soak your feet or hands in the water for 10 minutes. Carry out a course of 10 procedures. This will improve the nail structure.

You can also apply vitamin creams and ointments to your nails, for example, Radevit.

Longitudinal stripes on fingernails: causes. Treatment

The appearance of transverse stripes on the nails may be due to:

• presence of kidney disease;
• malnutrition of the nail;
• injury to the nail plate;
• improper manicure;
• pathologies of infectious nature;
• lack of vitamins and minerals due to frequent diets.

Transverse stripes on the nails can be a signal from the body about the presence of cardiovascular diseases. Most often, such indentations appear on the thumbs. In addition, the formation of transverse stripes almost on the nails is often observed in people of the older age category. Therapy can be prescribed exclusively by a specialist after examination and identification of the root cause. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the underlying disease.

Along with taking medications that help strengthen the immune system, vitamins, and medications for the treatment of the underlying disease, the use of creams, ointments and baths is prescribed to eliminate stripes on the nail plates. Transverse stripes on the nails can disappear on their own if you start eating normally and the body has enough of the substances it receives.

Most often, a specialist will prescribe complex treatment.

• If the cause of the appearance of unevenness on the nail plates is associated with a disease of the internal organs, then the main therapy will be aimed at treating the disease that caused such external manifestations. Only after complete recovery will it be possible to restore healthy nails. In parallel with the main treatment, a complex of vitamins is prescribed.
• If the appearance of such a defect as longitudinal stripes on the nails is caused by fungal diseases, then antifungal agents are prescribed. Simultaneously with such treatment, it is necessary to balance the diet. A good result is ensured if therapy is accompanied by daily consumption of a large amount of vegetables, and especially greens.
• Overweight people are more likely to have metabolic disorders. Particular attention should be paid to carbohydrate metabolism. You need to give up sweets and baked goods. It would be a good idea to check your blood sugar levels at the same time.
• During treatment, you must avoid using nail extensions and false plates. Low-quality nail care products must be replaced with high-quality ones.

We discussed why longitudinal grooves appear on nails, the causes and methods of treatment. Now let's talk a little about preventing such manifestations.

How to cure ridged nails

The first step to treating ridged nails is without a doubt a visit to a dermatologist.

Correct diagnosis of the causes of the pathology is important for effective treatment:

• Manicure and protective varnishes. If the cause of the grooves is injury or improper use of detergents, it is enough to use protective nail polish. It is very helpful to use hand moisturizer daily to soften and moisturize your nails.
• Biologically active additives. A deficiency of mineral salts can be compensated by taking appropriate supplements (iron, calcium, magnesium), but we must remember that it is always better to follow a healthy and varied diet, including daily consumption of fruits and vegetables as the main sources of vitamins and mineral salts.
• Antifungal drugs. In the case of onychomycosis, the dermatologist will prescribe antifungal drugs aimed at removing the pathogen.