Originally published by Richard G. Asarch, M.D. in SkinNews Volume XVI, Issue 1, Spring 2009.
Although we prefer the opposite, it is not uncommon to have nails that are less than perfect. Some nail abnormalities can be associated with more serious internal diseases but the following changes should not cause alarm.
The nail plate is made up of several layers of keratin, a protein. These layers are sealed together to form a unified, strong nail. The nail plate is generated by the nail matrix located under the cuticle. The distal portion (closest towards the direction of the finger tip) of the matrix produces the deeper layers of the nail plate, while the proximal portion products the more superficial layers of the nail plate.
With frequent exposure to water or exposure to cold, dry air, the layers can begin to separate from one another. The result is that your nails are likely to peel. Applying and rubbing moisturizers directly on your nails after anytime they become wet will help keep the layers supple and minimize the problem.
"Brittle nail syndrome" is quite common among women. Brittle nails don't seem to be able to hold moisture so that the layers of the nail plate tend to dry out and crack. This condition has been associated with thyroid disorders so if other symptoms are present, it would be best to check with your physician.
Tiny white splotches or dots on otherwise healthy nails are not usually a sign of anything serious. Most often, these spots are the result of some type of minor injury to the nail matrix. Since nails grow quite slowly, by the time the spot appears, the injury may have occurred weeks before so you might not remember what you did to cause the spot to appear.
Vertical ridges are totally normal but tend to become more prominent as we get older. Indentations in the nail plate can be the result of a great deal of stress or a severe illness. The nail may also stop growing for a short time and when it starts growing again an indentation occurs at that spot in the nail.
The nail plate is made up of several layers of keratin, a protein. These layers are sealed together to form a unified, strong nail. The nail plate is generated by the nail matrix located under the cuticle. The distal portion (closest towards the direction of the finger tip) of the matrix produces the deeper layers of the nail plate, while the proximal portion products the more superficial layers of the nail plate.
With frequent exposure to water or exposure to cold, dry air, the layers can begin to separate from one another. The result is that your nails are likely to peel. Applying and rubbing moisturizers directly on your nails after anytime they become wet will help keep the layers supple and minimize the problem.
"Brittle nail syndrome" is quite common among women. Brittle nails don't seem to be able to hold moisture so that the layers of the nail plate tend to dry out and crack. This condition has been associated with thyroid disorders so if other symptoms are present, it would be best to check with your physician.
Tiny white splotches or dots on otherwise healthy nails are not usually a sign of anything serious. Most often, these spots are the result of some type of minor injury to the nail matrix. Since nails grow quite slowly, by the time the spot appears, the injury may have occurred weeks before so you might not remember what you did to cause the spot to appear.
Vertical ridges are totally normal but tend to become more prominent as we get older. Indentations in the nail plate can be the result of a great deal of stress or a severe illness. The nail may also stop growing for a short time and when it starts growing again an indentation occurs at that spot in the nail.
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