Torn fingernail
Tearing of fingernails is a common problem that affects women in particular. Fragments of the nail come off already during everyday activities and it can come to tearing right into the nail bed, which is painful and can lead to inflammation. The most common cause of a torn fingernail is a nail damaged by chemicals such as washing-up liquid and nail polish remover.
In addition, a vitamin deficiency caused by a severe diarrhea or unbalanced diet can lead to an unstable nail. Especially a deficiency of vitamins A, B7, B12, C as well as folic acid, calcium and iron has an effect on nail strength. In addition, skin diseases such as nail fungus, neurodermatitis and eczema cause the nail to tear easily.
Cancer patients often suffer from brittle nails long after chemotherapy, as the therapy leads to both a thinned nail and a strongly slowed growth, so that the damaged nail regenerates only late. Likewise, hypothyroidism due to a slowed metabolism leads to torn fingernails. If the nail is already torn, it should be shortened as far as possible and filed smooth to avoid a deeper tearing.
A repair gel can then be applied. To avoid a torn fingernail, nail protection creams, which give the nail back its natural flexibility, and hardening nail polishes are recommended. A vitamin or mineral deficiency should always be excluded.
Fingernail fungus
Nail fungus on the finger is mostly caused by thread fungi. A common route of infection is an untreated athlete’s foot fungus, which spreads to the fingernail through skin contact. Therefore also the feet should be examined with a fingernail mushroom, since here by the damp-warm climate popular with mushrooms most mushroom illnesses with humans develop.
In addition, a handshake or the common use of towels are important sources of infection. Every fourth German has already had a nail fungus, whereby particularly Diabetiker and adipose humans are concerned. Also antibiotics and medicines, which affect the immune system, lead to an increased occurrence of fingernail fungus.The nail fungus is conspicuous by its white-yellowish coloration, which spreads over the nail in spots or stripes, and leads to a loss of normal nail shine.
If there is an additional infestation of bacteria, the nail can also turn green or even black. In addition, deep longitudinal and transverse grooves and nail bulges can develop. With an advanced fingernail fungus the nail structure dissolves and the nail crumbles.
If a fingernail fungus is suspected, a dermatologist should be consulted. The fingernail fungus can be treated with special anti-fungal nail polishes or ointments. In addition as much as possible of the affected nail should be cut off and the nail surface roughened, so that the active substance can penetrate well.
At the same time, all objects that have come into contact with the nail fungus should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent re-infection. The treatment takes about three months. If the local treatment is not sufficient, it may be necessary to take anti-fungal medication.
