You are likely aware that dermatologists are doctors who treat your skin. However, dermatologists are actually trained to diagnose and treat problems affecting all of the outer tissues of your body, including your fingernails and toenails. But when should you see a dermatologist about your fingernails or toenails? If you notice any of these conditions, it's time to make the call.
Yellow Nails
Sometimes your fingernails will develop a yellow tint if you have them painted for a long time, which deprives them of oxygen. The yellow may also be staining from the nail polish you were using. However, if you have not had your nails painted extensively and they still become yellow, you need to see a dermatologist. This is typically a sign of nail fungus, which is really hard to get rid of on your own. There are over-the-counter remedies, but many people try them and don't get results, and then they end up seeing a dermatologist anyway. You're usually best off just seeing a dermatologist and getting a prescription medication right off the bat. There are both topical and oral treatments your dermatologist can prescribe, depending on your preferences and the severity of the infection.
Lifting Nails
If you look at your nails, do they appear to be peeling away from the nail bed or lifting up off your finger or toe? This can also be a sign of nail fungus, and it usually means your fungal infection has gotten pretty bad.
Lifting nails can also be a sign of psoriasis. Sometimes people don't make the connection between lifting nails and dry, flaky patches of skin, but when the two occur together, it's almost always due to psoriasis. Your dermatologist can prescribe a steroid cream or corticosteroid medication that will get your symptoms under control so your nails and skin can heal.
Greenish-Black Nails
If you have one nail turn black or brown after an injury, that's usually just because there is blood under the nail. As long as it is not overly painful, you should not need treatment. However, if several of your nails are turning black, or if a nail is turning black and you know you have not recently injured it, then you may have a bacterial infection. Often, the black nail will have a green tint, at least around the edges of the black spot.
The problem with bacterial infections of a toenail or fingernail is that they can spread into the skin, and sometimes they can spread even deeper than that. A dermatologist will generally prescribe antibiotics to get the infection under control. They may also need to remove your nail to expose the nail bed so that any infection in that nail bed can be treated with antibiotics.
Pitting Nails
Pitting is a term that describes nails that develop lots of little, pinprick-like indents. Pitting can be a sign of psoriasis, or it may indicate that you have atopic dermatitis, which is a form of eczema. Your dermatologist can take a closer look and determine which of these conditions are to blame. Then, they can recommend a treatment. Psoriasis, as mentioned above, is typically treated with steroids. Atopic dermatitis may also be treated with steroids, but often, lifestyle changes are required, too. You may need to switch to scent-free soaps and detergents, for example.
If you are having any of the above issues with your nails, do not hesitate to contact a dermatologist. Most of these problems will only get worse if you do not have them treated promptly. Luckily, the treatments tend to be pretty simple! Contact a dermatologist clinic in your area to learn more.
Share21 May 2021
We are all covered in skin. It plays a number of roles in our body, helping to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It keeps our organs in place, and it even eliminates waste. But like any other organ, your skin can develop a number of health issues as time goes on. Maybe you develop acne, or perhaps you become affected by psoriasis or eczema. Dermatologists are there to help. This blog is all about doctors who specialize in dermatology, the work they do, and how they can help you get the skin you've always desired.
