Brown Spots on Nails – Causes
Fingernails which are dark can be a symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency or also can indicate disorders such as anemia.
Nails which are half white with dark spots, particularly on the nail tips, can be suggestive of kidney diseases.
Brown spots in fingernails which are pitted can indicate a joint or skin disorder such as psoriasis. Reddish-brown spots on the nail can be an indication of a deficiency of folic acid, protein or vitamin C in the body.
Splinter hemorrhage can show up as brown or red lines alongside the axis of the nail and can be triggered by an inflammation of the membranes of the heart known as endocarditis or a parasitic infection from pork known as trichinosis.
Nails with a brownish tinge to them can be an indication of a fungus infection. Another cause of brown spots on the nails could also be melanoma or skin cancer.
Brown Spots on Nails – Treatment
Fungal infections can also cause brittle, crumbling, or thickening nails as well as the brown spots. Your primary care physician can usually treat fungal infections with prescriptions for anti-fungal medications or with removal of the nail.
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the skin and another disease which can cause brown spots on the nail. To help with the spots on the nail, your physician will need to treat the psoriasis.
There are some tips to help to maintain fingernails with are healthy, avoid infections as well as improve the appearance of the nail:
- Keep the nails dry and clean
- Avoid nail-picking or biting
- Avoid polish removers which contain formaldehyde or acetone.
- If an individual gets frequent manicures, they need to bring their own instruments.
- Do not remove cuticles or clean too deeply under the nails as this can lead to infection.
- When filing the nails do so in only one direction and slightly rounding the tip instead of filing the nail to a point. Eat a balanced diet and also take vitamins containing biotin.
- Eat lots of calcium, protein as well as vitamin B. Make certain to eat foods like eggs, dairy products, meats, as well as whole grains, in large quantities.
- Apply moisturizer to the nails as well as the cuticles each day. Creams with phospholipids, urea or lactic acid can help to prevent cracking.
- Do not dig out toenails which are ingrown – see a dermatologist if you have this problem.
- Wash the hands regularly as well as protect them from scrapes and cuts, especially when doing cleaning, gardening or doing the dishes.
- Wear gloves made of rubber if your hands are regularly in touch with water.
- Never use the nails as tools, as they can get damaged severely in the process.
In order to maintain healthy fingernails ask the doctor to look at them at your next appointment. If you have brown or dark spots which have you concerned dermatologists are very well-trained in interpreting between harmless and serious conditions of the nail as well as determining if a nail color change requires any further testing or treatment.
