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Follow on Google News | Nails Can Reflect More Than Personal Style and Grooming Habits - Problem NailsNails Can Reflect More Than Personal Style and Grooming Habits - Problem Nails
According to Joshua Fox, M.D., a leading NY-area dermatologist and founding director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, changes in the appearance of our nails can indicate anything from a mild infection in the nail bed itself to the possibility of heart disease. Because the nails offer such a unique window into the health of our bodies, more and more physicians are making nail examinations part of their regular patient check-up routines, Dr. Fox says. Dr. Fox notes that about 10% of all skin disorders involve the nails, and that most of these are simple problems. Some conditions, like white spots at the base, or matrix, of the nail or minor bruising or bleeding beneath the nail, usually resolve themselves and require no treatment. Other problems, like ingrown nails or cracked cuticles, often benefit from professional treatment in order to avoid infection. Nail infections, either bacterial or fungal, may also require a visit to the dermatologist, Dr. Fox advises. Swelling or pain at the nail site -- and cracking or peeling of the nails, especially the toenails -- can suggest an infection is present, he says. The best prevention for nail infections is to keep the nail area clean and dry, and to avoid nail-biting. Biting the nails can introduce bacteria from the fingers into the mouth, which can cause illness; however, the reverse is also true. Biting the nails can transfer harmful organisms from the mouth into the nail area, making the nails and the surrounding susceptible to infection or it can transfer harmful elements like lead from the nail into our body as well, Dr. Fox notes. Beyond simple infections The color, texture and appearance of nails and surrounding tissue can be a warning sign of more serious health concerns than infection, Dr. Fox explains. Dark lines beneath the nail, for example, may simply be the result of small blood vessels that have broken. But they may also indicate the presence of melanoma, the most serious of all skin cancers. Other color or texture changes to the nail bed and nail plate that warrant a visit to the dermatologist besides infection, fungus and psoriasis include: - White Nails, which could be a sign of liver diseases like Hepatitis - Half-white, half-pink nails, which could indicate kidney malfunction - Red nail beds, which may suggest heart disease - Yellowing, thickening nails, with slowing growth, which can be caused by restricted circulation to the nails; its sometimes caused by lung diseases like COPD or emphysema - Clubbing, which is best described as the inversion of the nail itself so that it begins to resemble a teaspoon; it can also indicate lung problems - Pale whitish nail beds, which might mean anemia - A slight blush at the base of the nail, which could be a warning sign for diabetes - Pitting or rippling in the surface of the nail, which can be a symptom of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis - Painful lumps at the matrix or under the surface of the nail, which may be a sign that a wart or tumor is growing, and should be tested and/or removed - Irregular red lines at the base of the nail fold, which may be a sign of Lupus or connective tissue disease. Telling the difference It is difficult for patients to tell the difference between a harmless nail condition and one requiring further investigation, Dr. Fox admits. And the fact is that, because our nails are so exposed and so often used during the course of daily living, they do undergo changes in color and appearance that are often perfectly normal, he adds. Dr. Fox advises patients that notice a change like those mentioned above, which persists for more than a day or two, to contact their primary care physician or a dermatologist to have the nails examined. Dermatologists are well-trained in deciphering between innocuous and serious nail conditions, as well as determining when a change requires further testing, he says. Bio: Joshua L. Fox, M.D. Joshua L. Fox, M.D. is a leading authority in the field of dermatology with an expertise in skin cancer, cosmetic surgery, and laser procedures. As an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, Dr. Fox has been an expert resource on dermatologic topics for numerous television networks including ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, Telemundo, talk shows, radio stations, newspapers and magazines. Dr. Fox has served on the board of the National Rosacea Foundation and has done clinical trials in both medical and laser therapy in Rosacea. He has received multiple research and clinical awards including recognition from Top Doctors, Who's Who, Journal of Dermatologic Surgery and Oncology, Community Service Award from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the prestigious Husic Award as well certificates of recognition for service from multiple hospitals, civic, educational and community organizations. Dr. Fox has authored and presented papers of his research on lasers, cosmetic procedures, stretch marks, scars, skin cancer, bug bites, photosensitivity and various rashes. As founder and director of Advanced Dermatology and The Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fox and associates have expanded the practice to the one of largest in dermatology, laser & cosmetic surgery with more lasers than any hospital or dermatology practice on the eastern coast. Dr. Fox is a graduate of the New York University Medical Center of Skin and Cancer and has been on the advisory board of the Psoriasis Foundation and National Rosacea Foundation among others. He has also been a fellow of many societies including the International Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology. Dr. Fox is the founder of the AAD Melanoma/Skin Cancer Prevention Program in Queens, New York since 1987. Dr. Fox has been Chief of Dermatology of several major teaching hospitals including Mt. Sinai Hospital of Queens and Jamaica Medical Center and is currently on the staff of ten NY area hospitals. Dr. Fox and Advanced Dermatology the Center for Laser & Cosmetic Surgery have been used as a resource center educating dermatologists, laser surgeons, & cosmetic surgeons and others about lasers, cancer and cosmetic surgery. For more information visit us at http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com The above article is also available at http://www.toenails.bizdodo.com/ http://www.clevelandseniors.com/ # # # Advanced Dermatology PC (New York & New Jersey), Dermatologists experts in Laser Procedures, Botox, Fillers, Acne Scars, Tattoo Removal, Wrinkles, Leg Veins and treating wide-array of Medical and Cosmetic Conditions. http://www.advanceddermatologypc.com End
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