What pathologies does the color of your nails reveal? Black, green, yellow, blue… did you know that your nails can be colored almost any color of the rainbow? A coloring that should not be taken lightly since it can reveal certain underlying diseases.
Red, Yellow, Black, Different Nail Colors, Different Meanings
Nails can sometimes provide subtle clues about our overall health through their colors, an answer to a pathological concern, or a reason to consult a medical doctor. In this article, we will take time to look at nail colors, their pathological concerns, and common polished nail colors in 2023, the underlying medical implication of these trends that we see everywhere in 2023. There are several types of nail colors that stand out either on a long nail or a short nail.
Different Nail Colors And The Underlying Pathological Conditions
- Pale Nails: This may be a sign of anemia iron deficiency or blood circulation problems.
- A Black Nail: On a finger or toe can indicate trauma, a blow, or even more rarely melanoma.
- Yellow Nails: This may be associated with a fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, or even liver problems.
- Blue Nails: This can be a sign of poor blood circulation or a lack of oxygen in the blood.
- Green Nails: A sign of a bacterial nail infection, also known as paronychia.
- Red Nails: This can mean infection, inflammation, or skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema.
Nail Color, A Clue That Requires Confirmation.
It is important to note that nail color alone does not make an accurate diagnosis or determine disease. However, if you notice significant changes in the color, texture, or shape of your nails, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional to evaluate any possible underlying conditions.
Let us examine the pathological significance of black nails. This coloration can occur as a simple hematoma. Most of the time, when your nail is black, it is because it has suffered trauma like a nail crushed in the door for example, or a pair of shoes that are too small. Black often indicates a hematoma, your nail will simply fall off, or it will continue to grow and return to a normal color, in this case, no consultation is necessary. It will only take a little time before you get rid of that unsightly nail.
Black nail is the coloring that must be taken seriously, indeed, when an individual does not remember any trauma, and especially when such a person is over 50 years old, it may be a question of melanoma. A consultation is therefore necessary very quickly with the dermatologist who will carry out necessary checks. When black nails occur as a result of fungus infection, only a small black spot appears in the nail (often in a corner), then gradually it grows. This phenomenon occurs at the toes. It could then be a fungus infection, treatments are available in pharmacies, or if necessary can be prescribed by the doctor.
Nail Color For Aesthetic Purposes And Its Medical Implication.
- Gel polish: The gel polish is painted on and then cured under a lamp, which dries and hardens the polish almost instantly. Curing nail polish means photopolymerization, which is a process in which a liquid absorbs UV or visible light energy and undergoes cross-linking to become a solid. Most curing lights emit ultraviolet light, which is a known cause of cell damage and aging and increases the risk of skin cancer.
- Powder polish: This manicure involves the application of a bonding varnish ( composed of a resin often made from chemicals used in superglue) which serves as an adhesive for the varnish. Finally, an activator is applied, this is a liquid containing chemicals that induces the resin-containing bonding varnish to polymerize, leaving a hard shell. Sanitation is the main potential problem here. Communal power pots may be used for multiple people, which could become a reservoir for bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A difficult gel-like removal process, often using an electric file, can damage the nail plate and cuticle.
Chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed by the body. However, the exact amount of absorption and whether it is enough to cause negative health effects is not well established. In general, the question of whether natural cosmetic products are safer and healthier remains a noted question. There is no solid research data on whether chemicals excluded from non-toxic polishes cause harmful health effects at the concentrations found in traditional nail polishes.
When different nail color is observed outside the normal conventional color, this situation should not be taken lightly, necessary medical consultation should be done to check the underlying conditions of such coloration. Artificial nail coloration for aesthetic purposes should also be done putting in mind needed safety precautionary measures to avoid nail damage that may lead to poor nail health conditions.
Conclusion
Conclusively, individual nail color should pose a sensitive concern as it relates to our health conditions as possible underlying pathological factors may not manifest any chronic medical signs and Symptoms at the early stage. When slight changes from the usual norms are noticed, an urgent medical evaluation should be carried out.
