Deformation of the nail plates: ugly, unpleasant and even dangerous

Beautiful and well-groomed nails are the dream of every girl. They are ready to do anything to be attractive right down to their fingertips. Professional care, polishing, extensions, and expensive skincare cosmetics are used. But all the efforts and expenses will be completely in vain if suddenly the nail plates become ribbed.

If you notice that your nails have acquired an unnatural wavy structure, then it’s time to think about the reasons for this deviation and how to eliminate it.

What does this mean and what do nail plates with transverse and longitudinal waves look like?

Such a deformity can occur in any person, regardless of gender and age. Most often, the thumbs of the left or right hands suffer from the problem. If the pathology is associated with internal disorders, then as it develops it will affect the nail plates on other fingers. There are two types of waviness in nails:

• longitudinal (it is also called vertical, the waves go from the cuticle to the free edge of the nail, deformations are difficult to notice on the nails, significant longitudinal waves signal the presence of serious diseases);
• transverse (is a symptom of a disease; in medical practice such deformations are called Bo’s furrows; transverse waves are always more pronounced than longitudinal waves, accompanied by looseness of the nail and a change in the shade of the plate).

Important! Transverse waves on the nails are always a sign of the presence of a disease in the body. Therefore, if a deviation is detected, immediately contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Manicure for ugly nails: ideas

Any professional master knows how to lengthen nails with a manicure, what color lengthens nails and how to apply the coating correctly. If you want to choose your own manicure design for ugly nails, then use these useful recommendations.

1. To lengthen too wide nails, distribute the color coating along the middle of the nail. We leave unpainted gaps of a few mm on the right and left. This manicure visually lengthens the nails and adds sophistication.
2. The lateral borders of a wide nail plate can be reduced by drawing dark lines on the sides of the nail, using a light translucent tone as the basis. The shape of the nails cut on the sides lengthens the fingers visually.
3. Pastel and light shades give nails a well-groomed look , without focusing on the shape of the plate. A dull monochromatic coating can be diversified with an emphasis on the ring finger.
4. For those who like simple and laconic designs, you can lengthen the shape of your nail using a few geometric lines. A design that lengthens nails should be unobtrusive.
5. Choose a dark nail polish color that visually lengthens your nails. For perfect coverage on a wide plate, use black, burgundy, dark blue and green tones.
6. Using gel polishes with shimmer, a manicure is performed that lengthens short nails. The “cat eye” technique has similar properties.
7. Red nail polish will decorate the hands of any woman. The key point before applying red shades is to properly correct the nail plate.
8. A manicure based on a classic French manicure will fit perfectly on any nails. An additional design or sticker on one of the nails will add uniqueness without compromising femininity.
9. During the sunny summer, any shape of nails will be decorated with rich shades of manicure. Add a touch of blue sky or ripe berries to the mood. When using several bright colors, it is not advisable to apply a pattern or additional decorations.
10. gradient style will be a decoration for any shape of nails - a blurred transition from a light tone to a dark one.

The wide plate is perceived by the master as an advantage rather than a disadvantage; such nails are easier to work with tools. Small nails do not always allow you to realize a creative idea. A beautiful manicure will sparkle with new colors on well-groomed and well-moisturized hands.

Gently

Traditionally

Shine and contrast

Game of drawings

Diversity

Juicy

French saves the day

Light color

Endocrine and hormonal disorders

Nails begin to become wavy due to metabolic disorders in the body. This can be caused by poor nutrition, dysfunction of internal organs and/or systems, and bad habits. Very often, metabolic disorders are triggered by metabolism.

Changes in hormonal levels also cause changes in the surface of the nail plate. In most cases, this can be caused by a disruption in the production of thyroid hormones, a sharp change in their levels in the body.

Koilonychia symptoms

Koilonychia goes through two stages of development:

• Early on, the nail becomes flatter. The color and structure of the plate remain unchanged, its surface is smooth;
• The late stage is characterized by bending of the edges of the plate upward and delamination. The pieces come off easily when in contact with clothing. Sometimes the cracks are so deep that blood appears.

Koilonychia does not cause any other physical discomfort even in its advanced state. Some patients experience peeling of the epidermis around the nails. If koilonychia has formed against the background of disturbances in the functioning of internal organs, signs of the underlying disease appear. Only the attending physician can determine the exact cause of the deformity.

Why does deformity appear in women and men?

There can be many reasons for the appearance of such deformation. The problem arises not only in the presence of any diseases, but also after an injury to the nail plate or an unsuccessful manicure.

Mechanical damage

Injury to the nail plate often leads to the appearance of longitudinal waves on the nail. Injuries include, for example, a purulent inflammatory process (felon), damage to the cuticle or nail plate during an impact, etc.

If the injury is not too serious, then you just need to wait until a healthy nail grows. In case of purulent inflammation, you will have to consult a doctor, he will prescribe you the necessary medications for external use, which will help relieve inflammation and restore the nail.

Usually, after a healthy nail grows out, the waviness disappears.

What is missing and what are the problems in the body?

In this case, the fight against unpleasant waviness on the nails will be more difficult.

• Firstly, it can be difficult to determine on your own what exactly is happening to the body and what element it is missing.
• Secondly, treatment may be delayed due to the complexity of diagnosis. Malnutrition can lead to deformation of the nail plate (both longitudinal and transverse).

In order for the nail to form correctly, it needs several important connections:

• B vitamins;
• vitamin A;
• calcium.

Thinning of the nail and the appearance of transverse or longitudinal ribbed stripes on it indicates that some elements are missing in the body or are not absorbed normally (which, in fact, also depends on a sufficient amount of minerals).

Ideally, diet and taking additional medications that can compensate for the deficiency of elements can help.

Note! In such cases, you should not self-medicate. Contact your doctor, carry out the appropriate diagnostics and consult with him about vitamin or mineral complexes that are suitable for you.

But not only a lack of minerals can lead to changes in the texture of the nail. Malfunctions in the body also affect the health of the nail plates:

1. Hormonal disbalance. If the thyroid gland does not work properly in the body, growths and deformations may appear on the nail plates. A ribbed surface is one of the possible deviations that can occur with hormonal changes. It is best to consult an endocrinologist for advice (especially if you have additional symptoms indicating problems with the thyroid gland - acne, fragility and hair loss, swelling, sudden changes in weight, etc.).
2. Constant stress. Being in a constant state of stress, which gradually develops into depression, significantly affects the functioning of all body systems. Nails are also subject to regular stress. They can affect the shape of the nail plate and its texture, as well as cause the development of third-party diseases that also affect the health of the nails.

Diseases

Various fungal infections (mycoses) can cause changes in the structure and shape of the nail. Their insidiousness, first of all, is that at first they affect only the top layer of the nail plate, so it is almost impossible to notice the disease at an early stage.

But gradually the fungus will progress, affecting the deep layers of the nail tissue and causing deformation of the plate. The thickness of the nail gradually begins to increase disproportionately, transverse ribbing appears, and the color of the nail changes.

Etiology of nail deformation

If the nail on the hand is uneven, while the rest of the nails are still smooth and delight their owner with a healthy shine, then the etiology is due to mechanical trauma. Usually it occurs due to prolonged harmful effects of some factor. If you eliminate it, the new grown nail plate will be smooth.

In fact, there are a huge number of reasons that lead to changes in fingernails and toenails. In medical practice, all factors are divided into external and internal influences.

Irregularities on the nails occur for the following reasons:

What is onycholysis: causes and treatment of the disease

1. Injury to the nail plate due to improper manicure, rough cuticle removal, extensions. If there is a problem with your toenails, then you need to reconsider your shoes; perhaps strong compression of the toe has led to pathology. When the injury is shallow, the new nail will be smooth. In a situation where there has been a long-term, strong and deep mechanical impact, waviness may remain forever.
2. Hereditary factor. Nails are not only an indicator of health, but also the individuality of each person. They have different shapes for all people. If certain genes are inherited, treatment will not help. The only thing that can help the patient is to disguise the defect. As a supplement, taking vitamins is recommended.
3. Taking medications for a long time can deform the nail plate. Usually, after stopping the therapeutic course, the picture normalizes on its own.
4. Poor nutrition can lead to changes in nails. If there are not enough vitamins and other substances, the body tries to signal a deficiency in this way. Changing your diet brings everything back to normal.
5. If wavy fingernails itch, their color has changed, they have begun to crumble and peel, then the reason lies in a fungal infection. It is imperative to undergo a full diagnosis and identify the pathogen.
6. Despite their natural hardness, nails are extremely susceptible to the negative effects of chemicals. The etiology may be based on household chemicals, low-quality nail polish, etc.

For your information, a fungal infection can affect the nail plates on the hands and feet; without conservative treatment, the situation only gets worse.

Uneven surface of nails in children

Wavy fingernails can also be present in a child, the reasons may be the following:

1. The Candida microorganism entered the child’s body through the consumption of poorly processed vegetables and fruits.
2. Carbohydrate imbalance due to a lack of vitamins A and B in a child.
3. Scratches and peeling of the skin at the edges can provoke an inflammatory process due to infection.
4. Colds, pneumonia, and lichen sicca can also affect the structure of a child’s nails.

The nail plate of children differs from that of adults in structure. In a child it is thin and easily damaged. Many children bite their skin, causing hangnails. A child’s cuticle is hypersensitive, and often, when damaged, serves as a favorable environment for the proliferation of yeast parasites. Adults need to disinfect the baby’s nails with an antimicrobial solution, and wash their hands with antibacterial soap after a walk. It is necessary to regularly wipe your hands with disinfectants.

Recipes for healthy nail baths

You can prepare pleasant baths for your hands using simple ingredients or oils. After adding any vegetable oil to the water, you should keep your hands in it for about 10-15 minutes. You can mix potato and cabbage juice in equal parts, hold your fingers in it for 10-15 minutes, do the same in a decoction of chamomile and mint.

Recipes for healthy nail baths

Also applicable for baths:

• sea ​​salt. The product will require 1 tbsp. warm water and 1 tbsp. l. salt. In therapy, you should first soak your fingertips for 15 minutes, and then rinse them in cool water. To avoid irritation, apply a nourishing cream;
• lemon juice. To prepare the bath, mix 2 tbsp. l. juice with 1 tbsp. water. Lemon will help prevent nail brittleness, as well as whiten and saturate the cuticle with vitamins;
• iodine. Its use can give good results in strengthening nails. To prepare a bath for 0.5 tbsp. Add 4 drops of iodine to water.

Treatment

Once the diagnosis is accurately established, you can proceed to treatment. Below, only general recommendations for the treatment of wavy nails will be described. Be sure to contact a specialist who will establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe an individual therapeutic course that is suitable specifically for your case.
The easiest way to cure waviness of the nail plates, which was caused by mechanical damage. For example, after injuries, cuts, chips, etc. You just need to wait a while for a new nail to grow.

If the deformation occurs after a poor-quality manicure, then seek advice from a more experienced nail service specialist. Don't forget that the following plays an important role here:

• nail care;
• regularity of their processing;
• accuracy when working with cuticles;
• proper baths, etc.

If you do a manicure at home, pay attention to the following recommendations:

• be sure to disinfect all manicure instruments before each procedure;
• purchase manicure tools only in specialized stores and make sure that they are of high quality;
• do trimmed manicures only with special scissors, which should also be used to trim burrs;
• remove varnish with high-quality solutions without acetone;
• Use nourishing and moisturizing hand products daily that contain vitamin complexes.

Periodically make herbal hand baths with antiseptic compounds (for example, calendula, sage, chamomile and others). Paraffin wraps have a good effect on the nail plates and skin of the hands. They can also be done at home if you have special equipment. Regularly following all the above recommendations will help get rid of waves on your nails, but only if the cause of the deformation is hidden in poor-quality manicure or improper care of the nail plates.

If the deformities appear due to regular stress, then ask your doctor to prescribe you medications that relieve nervous tension (for example, Afobazol, Tenoten, etc.).

If you are deficient in vitamin A, adjust your diet. Vitamin deficiency can be replenished with the following foods:

• carrot;
• greens of any kind;
• broccoli;
• meat products;
• tomatoes;
• seafood and fish;
• liver;
• dairy products;
• eggs;
• Bell pepper;
• potato;
• pumpkin;
• melon.

To replenish B vitamins, you should include the following foods in your diet:

• buckwheat grain;
• liver;
• nuts of all varieties;
• sprouted grains;
• spinach;
• seafood;
• various types of fish;
• legumes;
• cabbage (cauliflower, broccoli);
• Rye bread;
• dairy products.

If the reason why you have hypovitaminosis is the inability to properly absorb vitamins and minerals, then the doctor will prescribe you vitamin and mineral complexes that will help restore the balance of macro- and microelements in the body.

If, during the diagnosis, it turns out that the cause of the nail deformation was a fungal infection, then, first of all, it is necessary to establish the type of pathogen. In case of bacterial infection, local antibiotic drugs (gels, ointments, lotions) will be prescribed. In case of fungal infection, antifungal drugs are prescribed.

The situation is more complicated with hormonal disorders. Usually in this case complex treatment is prescribed. It can be long and affect third-party systems of the body. The same applies to other systemic diseases that cause changes in the texture of the nail. In these cases, consultation with a specialized doctor (gastroenterologist, cardiologist, endocrinologist and others, depending on the type of disease) is necessary.

Masks and wraps for nails at home: recipes, rules

Strengthening nail masks with a warming effect can enhance blood circulation, nutrition and cell growth. Considering the activity of the components in the formulations, they should be used no more than 2 times a week. If a burning sensation or other unpleasant symptoms occur, it is better to wash off the mask.

The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes, and can be performed at home by applying ready-made compounds to the nails and the tissue around them.

For example:

• cinnamon. The main ingredient of the mask is cinnamon oil, which requires 1 drop. It is added to diluted milk with 1 tbsp. l. white clay, knead until thick, similar to sour cream;
• with mustard. 1 tbsp applies here. l. powder, which is diluted in warm water with 1 tsp. honey For a better effect, you can wrap your fingers in polyethylene.
• with red pepper. 2 tsp. ground pepper should be added to 1 tbsp. l. fat cream and mix well.

It is possible to use night masks, which should remain in the area of ​​problem areas for 8 hours.

The following compositions are applicable:

• ointments based on calendula;
• boiled yolk mixed with olive oil to a paste;
• almond oil (1 tbsp.) with ylang-ylan ether (2 drops).

The following recipes are suitable for rapid nail growth:

• using sea salt. It should be mixed in warm water until thick and then applied to the nail areas. Duration of the procedure – 20 minutes;
• with honey, calendula and yolk. For cooking you need 2 tbsp. l. honey, 1 tbsp. l. Stir calendula oil and fresh egg yolk until creamy. This composition is best used at night;
• using paraffin. It is necessary to melt the cosmetic paraffin in a water bath at 40° C, and then dip your fingers into the finished product. For a more effective effect of paraffin, you can wear cotton gloves on top. The duration of the procedure is 60 minutes.

A mask based on salt and lemon mixed in equal parts will have a combined effect. This composition is applied to the nails several times. After rinsing, you should lubricate your hands with moisturizer so as not to dry out the cuticles with lemon. Wraps can be used to strengthen the plate.

The following materials are applicable for this procedure:

The wrapping technology consists of the following stages:

1. Polish the nail.
2. Apply the prepared material according to the shape of the plate.
3. Straighten the patch using a special orange stick, dipping it in nail polish remover.
4. Trim the resulting protrusions.
5. Apply protective varnish, primer or enamel.
6. Remove material. To do this, you can use a special solution or a manicure spatula.

The advantages of this wrap include:

• safety and absence of allergic reactions;
• execution speed;
• ease of use.

The downside is the fragility of the coating.

Prevention

In order to avoid any changes in the texture of the nail plates, you need to maintain their health with regular caring procedures. The following recommendations must also be observed:

1. When doing a home manicure, file your nails at a right angle. Do not tear off hangnails and cuticles with your hands, do not let your fingers bruise and become inflamed.
2. Since nail plates are capable of absorbing everything that falls on their surface, try to prevent your nails from coming into contact with household chemicals and other caustic compounds. Avoid high humidity.
3. Protective gloves should be worn when working around the house.
4. Take significant breaks between applying decorative coatings.
5. Regularly use nourishing compositions for nails: creams, oils, gels, take baths with herbs.
6. If you do not have sufficient knowledge about manicure, then it is better to entrust it to an experienced master in the salon.
7. Be sure to use a base coat before applying a color coat of varnish.
8. Inspect your nails periodically; at the first symptoms indicating the presence of diseases, contact a specialist and begin treatment.

Preventive actions

To prevent deformation changes in the nail plate, doctors recommend a list of basic rules that allow you to maintain a smooth and healthy nail surface:

1. Nails are filed during manicure strictly at right angles. It is strictly forbidden to tear off hangnails, and you cannot pull out the cuticle.
2. Reduce nail contact with chemicals. When cleaning, washing dishes, etc., wear gloves.
3. Do not overuse nail polish. Even the “safest” varnish coating contains synthetic derivatives that lead to negative consequences in the future.
4. Taking care of your nails involves using specialized nourishing creams and gels. At home, you can make baths based on medicinal herbs.
5. Always apply a base coat underneath the base coat of varnish.

We can confidently conclude that sometimes behind the waves on the nails there are serious health problems - hormonal imbalance, fungal infection, vitamin deficiency. These conditions affect not only appearance, but also well-being, quality of life, and sometimes even its duration.

Hiding the external defect with rough sanding and varnishing only makes the situation worse, the symptom remains, but the cause progresses. Only by eliminating the provoking factor will your nails be smooth and healthy.

Elimination of unevenness with manicure: nuances of the procedure

A properly done manicure will help you disguise existing unevenness. However, it can only be done with the permission of a doctor and in the absence of serious injuries, inflammation or infectious diseases.

How to disguise wavy stripes on nails:

1. Use only pastel-colored varnishes. You can choose compositions with small sparkles or pearlescent shimmer.
2. Be sure to apply a base coat before applying your chosen color of polish.
3. As an alternative to classic varnishes, you can choose gel polish (it is better to entrust such a manicure to a professional with special equipment).
4. Use medicinal varnishes and leveling coatings when working.
5. Perform a manicure according to all the rules, i.e. disinfect tools, use special scissors or softening compounds to remove cuticles, and take care of personal hygiene.
6. You should not use brightly colored varnishes, as they will only highlight the uneven surface of the nail.

Wavy stripes on the nail plates can appear in both women and men. There are many reasons for the development of such a deviation. Some of them are associated with external factors (for example, injuries or poor-quality manicure), and some with internal ones (diseases of the endocrine system, stress, fungal infections, gastrointestinal diseases, lack of vitamins and minerals, etc.).

Whatever the reason, do not be lazy to consult a doctor for advice. The doctor will help not only establish a diagnosis, but also choose the correct treatment for such a deformity.

Diagnosis of the problem

The appearance of changes on the nail plate, especially if this was not preceded by an objective reason in the form of mechanical damage, requires attention and referral to a specialist. The best option would be to see a dermatologist, and if the problem is localized on the toes, then you can immediately go to a specialist - a podiatrist. During a visual examination, the doctor will assess the general condition of the nail plate according to a number of parameters:

• form;
• thickness;
• degree of fragility;
• color;
• transparency.

To clarify the diagnosis you may need:

• microscopy of a part of the nail plate to detect a fungal infection;
• spectral blood analysis for microelements and vitamin content - this allows you to identify the presence of a deficiency of a specific substance;
• consultation with other specialists, in particular a cardiologist, pulmonologist, endocrinologist.

Kinds

• Irregularities. The grooves attract people's attention. Diagnostics allows you to determine the cause that led to the deformation. Longitudinal grooves not only spoil the appearance, but also indicate a health hazard. The ribbed plate should not cause concern only in old age, since strong changes have occurred in the body. If the defect occurs at a young age, then you need to see a doctor. Don't hide it with nail polish.
• Waves. This deficiency indicates that the body's systems are not functioning properly. The defect appears when one completely abstains from meat. If, in addition to transverse waves, peeling is noticeable, then this indicates a fungus. There is no need to panic; the fungus can be easily treated. With the help of specialist consultation and simple procedures, it will be possible to eliminate the pathology.
• Lumpiness. In addition to irregularities, there may also be bumps. In this case, a doctor’s consultation and treatment are required. Usually the deficiency appears from a deficiency of minerals and vitamins, hormonal imbalance.

Often the nail grows in waves when cosmetic procedures are performed incorrectly. This is also associated with non-compliance with the rules of caring for hands and feet.

How to prevent colony

Since the most common cause of spoon nails is anemia , the first thing you should pay attention to is your diet. This means that you need to eat foods that are rich in iron. Such foods include spinach, beans, broccoli, red meat and poultry. You can also consume shrimp, tuna, oysters, which are the most affordable seafood. Unfortunately, anemia is a common companion to vegetarianism. Therefore, if for some reason you do not eat meat, you will have to consume more plant and fruit iron. I also advise you to introduce more foods rich in vitamin C , as this will help your body better absorb iron from food