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Have you ever wondered why your nails seem to 'die' or become brittle and discoloured? The thought of a dead nail can sound scary, but it is a very common occurrence.
People of all ages suffer from nail issues. Onycholysis is the medical term for when your nail separates from the skin underneath it. It may be a symptom of a potentially serious illness.
When a person suffers from onycholysis, the nail pulls away from the nail bed beneath. This is typically not painful.
A person may also notice that their nails change colour. What colour it transforms to is determined by the cause of the onycholysis. It can be white, grey, yellowish, green or purple.
Dents or pits in nails, crumbling nails, haemorrhages underneath your nails, and challenging, thick nail beds are some other symptoms of onycholysis.
A variety of factors can cause onycholysis. A person may sustain an injury or experience frequent trauma. Simply pressing your nails repeatedly for an extended period might cause the nail to split from the skin.
Onycholysis can also be caused by injuries such as smashing a finger in a car door or stubbing a toe. It can also occur due to chemical reactions or an allergy to products used on the nail, such as nail polish, nail polish remover, and household cleaners. Other causes include fungal infections, psoriasis, or reactions to medication.
Nails are a good indicator of your overall health. If your nails appear unhealthy or have issues such as onycholysis, this might be the first noticeable symptom that something more serious is happening in your body.
Onycholysis can sometimes be a sign of a significant yeast infection or thyroid dysfunction. It might also indicate an absence of important vitamins or minerals, such as iron.
The first step in treating onycholysis is determining what is causing the nail to lift. Determining the cause of your onycholysis is the most important step.
Treating the underlying cause will allow the nail to heal and reestablish itself in the skin as it grows out. Injuries may not need extensive therapy. However, once the skin has been opened, keeping the area clean and free of infection is important. Fungal infections necessitate the use of antifungal medicine to treat the underlying infection.
Medicinal creams and ointments often deliver fungus medicine to the nails. Changes in diet are frequently used to tackle vitamin and mineral deficits.
A doctor may prescribe supplements in various cases. A person may need to take iron supplements to help brittle or detaching nails restore strength. Onycholysis as a psoriasis symptom is not uncommon.
According to the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Association, at least 50% of people with psoriasis have nail issues. Psoriasis, in particular, affects the fingernails. Psoriasis of the nails can be difficult to treat. To treat nail psoriasis, doctors may administer topical vitamin D or corticosteroids.
Essential oils are among the home remedies that may help with onycholysis. There is some evidence that tea tree oil can aid in treating fungal diseases.
Tea tree oil has natural antifungal qualities and may eliminate the need for further therapy. If you have a fungus or yeast infection causing your onycholysis, you can prevent it from spreading by taking care of your nails.
Do not bite your nails since this will spread the infection and may impact your mouth. If your onycholysis is affecting your toes, ensure you wear clean socks and keep your feet as dry as possible.