Why does my fingernails have dents

In this article though, dents in fingernails are the main concern. Whether or not you think the dents in fingernails are a sign of illness, it is important to always visit a medical doctor when you find an abnormality. Small depressions dents in fingernails , often referred to as nail pits, can sometimes occur without any cause. This means it can happen regardless of a vitamin or mineral deficiency. However, there are multiple underlying conditions that can also cause dents in fingernails.

The frequency of these flare-ups varies from person to person. The severity of psoriasis can also vary greatly, from small patches that are barely noticeable to larger patches across the body. Psoriasis is not caused by infection, it cannot be passed on to other people, and it does not develop into cancer.

The National Psoriasis Foundation state that while it can develop at any time, psoriasis most commonly starts in people aged between 15 and Around 1. Around half the people who have psoriasis will also notice changes in their nails.

Around 4 in every 5 people with psoriatic arthritis will also notice nail changes. Anyone concerned with pits on their nails should see a doctor. Typically, the first thing the doctor will do is a physical examination.

Occasionally, a doctor will send a sample of the nail for a biopsy to help confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a medical procedure that examines tissue under a microscope to see if there are any cell abnormalities. Cases of nail psoriasis can be difficult to diagnose unless the person presents skin psoriatic lesions, as well.

Only around 5 to 10 percent of people with nail psoriasis will not have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis also. Nail pitting can be mild. If the pitting is not causing any discomfort, it will not require any treatment. More severe cases can cause discomfort and distress, however.

Nail pitting is quite difficult to treat, although some modern methods have been shown to be effective. Treatments that can be applied to the nail include steroids, salicylic acid, calcipotriol, and tazarotene, although these are often not very effective.

It is important to remember that nails grow slowly and this type of remedy only treats the new nail growing, not the existing one. But nail abnormalities also can be caused by a simple contact dermatitis or vitamin deficiencies. Your best bet is to wiggle those fingers under a dermatologist's nose for an accurate diagnosis. Avoiding heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is no picnic. You can feel as dizzy and nauseated as a kid stoked on cotton candy riding a Tilt-a-Whirl.

Drink cold water before, during and after. Work through a quart every 30 minutes, to cool your body temperature. Dress to keep cool. Wear loose clothing in fabrics that wick sweat off your skin and a visor instead of a heat-trapping hat. Subungual melanoma usually only affects one nail.

It will also cause the stripe to change in appearance. For example, it may become wider or darker over time and the pigmentation may also affect the surrounding skin the nail fold. If you have little red or brown streaks underneath your nails, it's likely they're splinter haemorrhages — lines of blood caused by tiny damaged blood vessels.

A few splinters under one nail are nothing to worry about. They are most likely caused by an injury of the nail. If many nails are affected, the splinters may be a sign of lupus erythematosus , psoriasis , an infection of the heart valves endocarditis or another underlying condition. See your GP if one of your nails is destroyed and you don't remember injuring it.

Paronychia is inflammation of the nail fold the skin and soft tissue that frames and supports the nail. Sometimes, it's associated with an underlying skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis , or another medical condition, such as diabetes or HIV.

Paronychia can develop over a few hours acute paronychia. If it lasts for more than six weeks, it's known as chronic paronychia. Acute infective paronychia usually starts after a minor injury to the nail fold, such as from nail biting, picking or manicures. The affected area is red, warm, tender and swollen. After a while, pus can form around the nail and may lift the nail. Your GP will advise you of the best treatment. Treatment for acute paronychia includes antibiotic creams or tablets.

If there's a large amount of pus, surgically draining it can help. With treatment, an infected nail fold can clear up in a few days. If it isn't treated or doesn't respond to treatment, the problem can become long-term chronic. Chronic paronychia often affects people who have their hands in water for long periods, or come into contact with chemicals, such as cleaners, bartenders, canteen staff or fishmongers.

It may start in one nail fold but can affect several fingers. The affected nail folds are swollen. They may be red and sore from time to time, often after exposure to water.

The nail plate gradually becomes thickened and ridged as it grows. It may become yellow or green and brittle. See your GP if the condition is severe.