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What do brown nails indicate? Why may the color of the nail plate change? Is it a symptom of a disease? Can the brown color of nails be a consequence of the medications used? The question is answered by the drug. Katarzyna Darecka
What can a brown nail plate testify to?
Good morning, some time ago I noticed that my nails are slightly brown. I have always tried to take care of my nails and I admit that I paint them often. However, I take care to properly nourish the nail plate by using conditioners. I also know that a diet rich in vitamins A and B as well as zinc, silicon and calcium are essential for healthy nails. So I don’t know completely what brown nails can mean?
What could be the reason my nails have changed color? Can brown nails be a disease? Or is it because of my thyroid medications? Before that, however, I didn’t have this problem. My nails weren’t brown and now they are changing color and I don’t know why.
Please let me know what brown nails can mean? If their color is related to my thyroid medications, should I change my medications? Do you accept the brown color of your nails? I am thinking of visiting a dermatologist, but I don’t know if I should also see my GP.
The doctor explains the reasons for the change in the color of the nails
It is said that nails are a window to our health, and many conclusions can be drawn from them. With a careful interview and physical examination collected by a doctor, they can reveal a chronic disease.
In the course of many chronic diseases, e.g. heart disease, liver or kidney diseases, and malnutrition, the appearance of the nails changes. Among vitamin deficiencies that can cause brown discoloration of the nails can be mainly included vitamin B12 deficiency.
Also, a fungal infection can cause the nails to turn brown. Usually, in addition to the color of the nail, its surface also changes – it becomes thickened, there may also be gaps and peeling. Toenails are more often affected by fungal infections. In order to cure onychomycosis, it is necessary to undergo antifungal treatment for many months.
Changing the color of the nail spots or long lines may indicate the presence of a neoplasm such as nail melanoma, but it is a rare neoplasm and accounts for about 1-3% of cases of melanoma found in Caucasians. If you suspect melanoma, you should immediately see a doctor specializing in dermatology and dermatosurgery.
Drugs that can cause brown nails include: tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, griseofulvin, voriconazole, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Diclofenac), psoralens, anti-cancer drugs, antipsychotics. Usually, nails turn brown about two weeks after starting treatment with a given drug.
However, the most common cause of brown or yellow discoloration is overuse of nail polish and smoking cigarettes. Frequent painting and then using a nail polish remover to remove the varnish is not indifferent to the nail and may damage it in the long run. Nails, as well as hair, change color when we smoke cigarettes intensively.
Therefore, before you see a doctor with a nail problem, you should first of all stop smoking, if this applies to you, and take a longer break from painting your nails with nail polish. If, despite following these tips, the problem of brown nails persists, see your doctor.
– Lek. Katarzyna Darecka
Take care of your nails, reach for a horsetail supplement for hair, skin and nails.
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