Why Does My Nail Grow Crooked: Cause with Treatments Guide
Changes in the nails, such as those caused by nail psoriasis or Raynaud’s syndrome, may be indicators of a more serious underlying condition requiring medical attention. Although curved nails aren’t usually a reason for alarm, it’s still smart to get checked out just in case. Care must be sought immediately if nail abnormalities are accompanied by other symptoms.
Types of nail curvature and other nail alterations that may warrant observation are discussed in this article. A few potential explanations are also investigated. The nail could slant away from the nail bed, either partially or completely. A person might be dealing with any of the following conditions for instance. Nails with spoon nails are so pliable and bent that they can catch and keep a drop of water. Koilonychia is the common name used by medical professionals to describe this condition.
Why is my fingernail growing sideways?
Adjusting your habits and following the advice in this article can stop your nails from curving inward. What I’m about to tell you is Our general health can be seen in the condition of our nails. Their hue, intensity, and form all tell us a lot about the state of affairs within our bodies.
Nails that aren’t straight aren’t only unsightly; they may also be a sign of a more serious health issue, such as asthma, lung cancer, or chronic bronchitis. The absence of oxygen causes your fingernails to curl. Nails that have been curled are unsightly and perhaps dangerous. Problems arise from the practice of nail curling. They could get stuck somewhere else, causing you even more trouble. Nail trimming is the most effective way to avoid the appearance of a crooked nail. That way, they’ll be neat and tidy, too.
What causes crooked fingernails?
Spoon nails may be a sign of an iron shortage (koilonychia). For those affected by Plummer-Vinson syndrome, this deformity is a telltale sign of the disorder. Because of the damage to the kidneys, the nails may become white at the tips and pink or pigmented at the base (half-and-half nails or Lindsay’s nails).
Even otherwise, healthy persons are not immune to developing this Disease. Nails affected by cirrhosis may become white, albeit the very tips may retain their natural pink color. People with cirrhosis, severe heart failure, and diabetes are all at risk for developing white nails, often known as Terry’s nails. Cirrhosis patients, who may have low albumin levels in their blood, may have horizontal white lines on their nails. Aging often brings to the possibility of terry nails.
1. Dystrophies and deformities caused by skin illnesses
Nail discoloration and changes in texture can be side effects of some skin conditions. Nail plate alteration is a side effect of some medicines used to treat skin disorders. Nail dryness and brittleness have been linked to the usage of retinoids such as isotretinoin and etretinate.
Psoriatic nails can have a number of different symptoms, including thickening and crumbling of the nail plate, onycholysis (the separation of the nail plate from its bed), and oil spots (yellow-brown areas under the nail), and pitting (tiny depressions in the surface of the nail). Scarring with early ridging and splitting of the nail from lichen planus of the nail matrix eventually leads to scarring and pterygium development.
2. Drugs’ impact on fingernails
Melanonychia striata (pigmented lines of brown or black color) and onycholysis are two more nail issues that may be brought on by medication use. It is common for the nail to become discolored as a side effect of taking certain medications. However, this side effect typically disappears as the nail grows out.
Hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the nail plate has been linked to chemotherapy medications. In addition, some chemotherapy medications have been linked to the development of horizontal bands of pigmentation or whiteness in their patients. The drug chloroquine, which is used to treat parasite infections as well as some forms of autoimmune illnesses, can cause the nail bed to turn a bluish-black color.
3. Nail atrophy at the medial cuticle
Cracks that start in the middle of the nail and spread outward like the limbs of a tree are a hallmark of median nail dystrophy (such as a Christmas tree).
Sometimes the reason for median nail dystrophy can’t be pinpointed, but it’s assumed that repetitive injuries, like those sustained from typing on a computer keyboard, have a part. The nail-damaging must stop immediately. Some patients have seen improvement after receiving tacrolimus ointment.
4.The Striae of Melanonychia
Gray, brown, or black lines, called melanonychia striata, appear on the nail plate when the usual brown skin pigment melanin is deposited there. The nail is completely covered by the lines, from bed to tip.
This wrinkling may be completely natural and unremarkable among people with darker skin tones. Mole infection, hyperthyroidism, certain medicines, pregnancy, nail damage, Addison disease, and Cushing syndrome are some of the other noncancerous reasons for melanonychia striata.
5. Deformity of the nails that forms a pincer
Pincer nail deformity is characterized by a horizontally over the curved nail (side-to-side). Onychomycosis, psoriasis, nail tumors, and ill-fitting footwear are the most common culprits. Those with lupus, Kawasaki illness, end-stage renal disease (severe chronic kidney disease), and a few hereditary diseases are also at risk of developing deformity (for example, pachyonychia congenital).
People of advanced age and those with finger arthritis are more likely to experience its onset at the point where the nail plate curls towards the tips of the fingers, many people experience excruciating agony.
What are nail abnormalities to be kept in mind?
The condition of one’s nails might reveal telling details about one’s general health. Not only does it look better when your nails are strong and healthy, but if you’re experiencing any discomfort with your nails, it could be a sign of a more serious health issue.
Nail symptoms you shouldn’t overlook and which are normal were discussed with John Anthony, MD, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, and Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules.
1. Utensils with a yellowish tint
Age can play a role in this, Dr. Anthony noted. However, nail polish and synthetic nails might also play a role. It may help to take a vacation from the nail salon and allow your nails a chance to recover if you use acrylic nails or paint them frequently and experience this issue. Smoking, which can stain nails, and yellow nail syndrome, an uncommon illness characterized by thick, yellow nails that typically manifest accompanying respiratory difficulties and limb swelling, are two other potential reasons (GARD).
2. Poor nail health, especially if they are dry, cracked, or brittle
Several factors may contribute to this widespread problem. Dryness on the nail plate can cause soft, brittle nails, Dr. Jaliman added. This could be due to swimming, excessive use of nail paint remover, hand washing dishes frequently without gloves, or living in a dry climate. Chemicals (such as those found in cleaning products) and age also may play a role. If you have hypothyroidism (a condition in which the thyroid operates too slowly) and have been experiencing brittle nails, talk to your doctor.
3. Clubbing
When the tips of the fingers expand and the nail curves and become rounded, this is called “clubbing,” and it can be an indication of liver or renal problems, as Dr. Anthony explained. Clubbing can also be caused by pulmonary and gastrointestinal diseases, as stated in a May 2021 article in Clinical Medicine (e.g., lung cancer, IBD). As a result, if you notice this nail issue, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.
4. Spots of White
White spots on nails are sometimes misunderstood as a sign of calcium shortage; however, this is rarely the case. Dr. Anthony remarked, “Those white patches are usually not particularly noteworthy.” “They usually have nothing to do with calcium and are the result of small trauma, like if you smack your finger against something,” the author writes.
5. Ridges, either horizontal or vertical
Dr. Anthony has noted, “I sometimes detect transverse (side to side) ridges on nails.” If you have a significant disease or have experienced nail trauma, you may notice this on multiple nails at once. When your body is fighting an illness, it prioritizes the most vital functions. In this case, Dr. Anthony said, the body is telling you, “I’ve got better things to do than manufacture nails,” and so it stops the process. “Horizontal lines across the nail plate can also be induced by a pharmacological reaction, for example, if the patient just underwent chemotherapy,” Dr.
6. Badly Bitten Fingernails
According to a June 2021 article in the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, nail biting (medically known as onychophagia) is a frequent practice, usually triggered by stress or even done to seek attention. Excessive nail-biting or skin-picking, for example, may be indicative of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Dr. Jaliman has stated that “sometimes psychiatric medicine is required” to treat nail biting associated with OCD.
7. Nail “Spooning.”
Spoon nails are so-called because they are abnormally thin and have curved inward. Spoon nails, as described in a May 2021 article in Clinical Medicine, can develop after nail damage or skin conditions that cause nail thinning. Nonetheless, there’s usually another cause of spoon nails: Dr. Jaliman says that if you are experiencing this, it is likely a sign of iron deficiency anemia and that you should see a doctor.
How to stop nails from growing crooked?
Do any of your nails look different than they used to? Even though a seemingly innocuous alteration in color, texture, or shape could be an indicator of illness, it often isn’t. Changes in the appearance of your fingernails or toenails, as described below, need a trip to a dermatologist who specializes in skin conditions.
1. A shady smear
A fresh or changing dark stripe on a fingernail or toenail is cause for concern and should prompt a visit to the dermatologist for a skin cancer screening. It’s possible that this dark spot is melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. While a dermatologist may not need to check every dark spot for cancer, they should still be consulted whenever possible. If caught and treated early on, it could be the only course of action necessary.
2. Raise a nail up
Discoloration of the nail bed, as illustrated here in white, is a common symptom of a lifting nail that is no longer attached fully. The most common reasons for nail lifting are Disease caused by fungi, Psoriasis, Punctured skin from a rough manicure Accidental injury while using a sharp tool to clean beneath the nails.
Any nail that is peeling or lifting should be checked by a dermatologist. It’s possible that you’ll require antibiotics to get rid of an infection. Consult a dermatologist for advice on how to promote the healthy growth of the new nail.
3. The area around a nail becoming red and puffy
An infection may be present if there is redness and swelling around a nail. In most cases, medicines soak well enough to treat an infection if caught early enough. If the wound becomes infected and starts bleeding, you’ll require more intensive care.
4. Shades of green and black
Nail infections caused by bacteria can create unsightly discoloration, as this one shows. An infected nail will worsen if not treated. The discomfort and tenderness you’ve been feeling can be treated away, and the infection can be cured with the help of the treatment.
5. Ugly, pitted fingernails
Nail dents, especially those that seem like they were formed with an icepick, could be an indication of a systemic illness. Nail pits are a symptom of a number of medical conditions. Psoriasis Dermatitis atopica Getting a proper diagnosis requires seeing a dermatologist who is board-certified to do so. These conditions are typically dealt with by dermatologists. Relief from symptoms and slowing of the Disease’s progression are both possible with treatment.
6. Phrases that include “yellow nails.”
Yellowing of the nails is caused by smoking and by wearing red nail paint without a base layer. Nails that suddenly become yellow, thick, and seemingly cease growing may be an indication of a health problem elsewhere in the body. The yellowing of the nails is a symptom of several diseases, including pulmonary illness and rheumatoid arthritis. Another possible condition requiring medical attention is a severe infection of the nails.
7. Intricate groves (or gaps)
Longitudinal lines on a nail are common and typically harmless. See this picture if you have deep grooves that run the width of your nail; they indicate that something slowed (or stopped) your nail growth for a spell.
When to see a doctor for crooked nails?
Fingertip injuries, of which nail bed injuries are a subtype, are the most often observed hand injuries in hospital emergency rooms. Finger sprains can be quite small, or they can be so painful and uncomfortable that they severely restrict your range of motion. There are numerous causes of damage to the nail bed.
Common causes include having your nail caught in a door, having something heavy fall on it, or being struck with an instrument like a hammer. Wounds from sharp objects like knives and saws are another common cause. Injuries to the nail bed generally seldom lead to permanent abnormalities in the nail but can occur on occasion.
Watch Here’s what the little half-moon under our fingernails means | Video
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Conclusion
Does your fingernail seem to be growing at an angle? Many things can cause a fingernail to grow laterally. Nail Lengthening Incorrect nail-cutting and -submitting methods, hereditary disorders, and certain fingernail infections are typical causes of ingrown nails. Wearing the wrong shoes (such as sneakers that are too tight) can also cause the toenail to grow in a crooked direction.
Ingrown toenails are not the same thing as gradually growing fingernails. Individual fingernails or toenails can become ingrown and cause excruciating pain when they grow into the surrounding skin. It’s possible you’re wondering what you can do to prevent your nail from growing in at an odd angle. Learn if a nail may grow under another nail or not.
