Nail Problems

Symptoms

The nails are a mirror of the body, and healthy nails are a sign of overall body vitality and strength. Ideally, the nails should be pink with a mild sheen and a nice round shape. They should not be brittle or break easily, nor should they have white spots or grooves.

Ingrown toenails can be a very painful nail problem. Tight shoes that pinch at the toes are largely responsible for this condition. The pressure causes a nail to turn inward, allowing it to embed into the skin, causing injury and sometimes inflammation.

Causes

The most obvious nail problems result from skin conditions. Psoriasis can produce tiny dents or pits and change the thickness and color of the nail. Fungal infections cause the nail bed to soften and rise, and the nail itself becomes thick, but flaky and brittle. The nails also signal disorders within the body. Skin at the nail base that becomes raised, and shaped like a club, is a sign of poor oxygen due to a lung or heart problem. Another sign of poor oxygen is a blue tinge to the nails. A low thyroid causes nails to become brittle and grooves to form.

The shape of the nails changes with certain diseases. If the nail itself is concave like a spoon, a lack of iron is indicated. Grooves or discolorations and dents suggest weaknesses in the digestive tract, whether it be a sluggish liver or poor digestion. Horizontal grooves often occur after a long illness, but these disappear again over months with recovery. They are usually related to zinc and protein deficiencies.

Nutritional deficiencies of all kinds will cause brittle nails or grooves. The most essential minerals are calcium, silica, iron and zinc, along with protein, and vitamins A, B complex and C. Iron-deficiency anemia also causes nails to become unhealthy, weak and brittle. With time, the nails develop a spoon-like shape. Inflammation of the skin just below and around the nails due to bacteria is also due to a lack of vitamins, in this case the B vitamins. This inflammation is very painful, and the skin is red and swollen.

Besides being a specific signal for internal problems, nails will become unhealthy, brittle and crack easily from improper care and harsh treatment. Chemicals, especially household cleaners, are often at fault. Nail polish is a chemical which is also very hard on the nails. Holding the hands in water for long periods will cause the nails to become fragile. Nail biting due to a nervous habit can damage healthy fingernails.

Nutrition

Include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts (especially almonds for magnesium), unrefined, cold-pressed vegetable oils such as flax seed oil or sesame oil, and fish in your diet. These foods will provide vitamin A, B complex vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, which are all important for nail health. Include a source of acid like apple cider vinegar with each meal to aid the absorption of minerals needed for strong nails if stomach acid is deficient.

White spots on the nails indicate a zinc deficiency. Chew raw, unroasted pumpkin seeds to provide the body with zinc. Spoon-shaped nails are caused by a lack of iron. Parsley, leeks, broccoli and spinach are rich in iron. Brittle nails with ridges indicate that essential fatty acids and silica are missing. Eat rolled oats in the form of porridge or a Swiss muesli in the morning for silica. Add flax seeds, and use unrefined, cold-pressed flax seed oil on salads for essential fatty acids.

Nutritional Supplements

All kinds of nutritional deficiencies make themselves known through nail problems. Protein is absolutely vital for nail health. There are many different protein supplements available that can be added to your food. All nutrients are essential for healthy nails, hence the importance of a healthy diet. Silicon is a vital mineral for strengthening the nails and hair. It is available in capsules called silica in an organic form, and in a gel in a mineral form. Lack of vitamin A or calcium will cause dry, brittle nails. If ridges develop on the nails as well, a B-vitamin deficiency is likely the cause. B vitamins should be supplemented. Vitamin C is also vital for healthy nails because it supports the immune system against infection.

Hangnails are more likely to occur when vitamin C or the B vitamin folic acid are inadequate. White spots are often a sign of a zinc deficiency. Nail problems due to fungal infection should be supplemented with an Lactobacillus acidophilus complex, which is a friendly bacteria needed by the body to maintain normal flora and prevent the growth of micro-organisms that cause disease.

Brittleness and horizontal peeling may also be the result of B-vitamin deficiencies, a lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach or iron deficiency. Calcium deficiency may also contribute to this problem, especially if there is a low stomach acid output. Stomach acid is essential for digesting protein and absorbing vitamins and minerals.

The older the person, the greater the likelihood of having low stomach acid. Vitamin and mineral supplementation will not be of much help unless stomach acidity is increased at the same time. Supplements such as betaine and pepsin HCl and glutamine HCl, all help to increase stomach acidity.

All supplements should be taken over an extended period of time. It will take several weeks before a change is noticeable.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Lactobacillus acidophilus, HSP or three capsules

Silica, capsules or gel, 1,000 mg

Calcium, 1,000 mg

Zinc, 15 mg, with 3 mg copper

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000-3,000 mg

L-glutamine, 500 mg

Helpful

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)

Vitamin B complex, 50 mg twice

Digestive enzymes, 2 capsules with meals

Herbal Remedies

With a wholesome, natural diet, herbal remedies will restore overall health and consequently improve the health of the nails.

The high silica content of horsetail will beautify the appearance of the nails and improve their hardness, making them shinier and less prone to breaking. Combine 2 tbsp. of horsetail juice with 1 tbsp. of beet green, celery, kale and parsley juice daily to complement the effect.

Dry and brittle nails often indicate chronic inflammations, neuralgias, hyperthyroidism, a disturbed calcium metabolism or a deficiency in vitamins A and B. Bathing nails in oak bark infusion or olive oil regularly moisturizes brittle nails.

Flat or bulging nails indicate an unbalanced diet. Nourish the blood with vitamins and minerals. Stinging nettle, horsetail and watercress juice supply zinc, silica and iron. Take 2 tbsp. of these alone or in combination daily. You can also use 20 drops of tincture diluted in water or tea instead of the juice.

To treat fungus due to low hydrochloric acid secretion, apply a drop of tea tree oil to affected nails. Apply mornings and evenings for one week to one month or until the problem is resolved. Make sure to dry nails well after bathing. Use a hair-dryer, if necessary, especially between the toes. Fungus thrives in warm, moist conditions.

Vitamin-C deficiency is usually the cause of hangnails. Drink rose hip tea, acerola or cranberry juice.

Bathe hands in hot, soapy water or camomile infusion. Dry and massage nails with propolis salve.

Ridges on the nails can indicate anemia or a past history of anemia. It suggests also a lack of B vitamins and protein. Dandelion and yellow dock help in the assimilation of iron supplements.

Homeopathy

The following is a sample of the many prescribed remedies. Take the 6c strength four times daily for up to three weeks. If the condition does not improve, consult an experienced homeopath for more extensive treatment.

Antimonium is useful for brittle nails with horny thickening.

Take Graphites for brittle or crumbly, thickened, deformed nails that are inflamed and painful, with blackening.

Take Silicea for deformed nails with white spotting.

Take Thuja for red and swollen skin at the base of brittle nails.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets four times daily.

Silicea, in its tissue salt form, lends support to the health of the nails, hair and skin.

For thin, brittle nails, Kali sulph should be taken.

If these are not effective, use Calc fluor. Calc fluor is usually recommended for fissured or thickened nails.

External/Physical Therapies

To avoid ingrown toenails, cut nails straight across and leave blunt edges.

Trim nails regularly. Short nails help avoid tears and cracks.

The cuticle should be pushed back gently but not trimmed, which can cause infections.

Garlic is excellent to improve the health of nails. Rub nails daily with a slice of a fresh clove of garlic, or lemon wedge.

Dipping the hands in hot water occasionally helps avoid the spread of the infection.

A nail bed infection can become a serious problem and should be treated under the supervision of a health practitioner. The risk of infection is increased in diabetics and persons who have their hands in water daily and for prolonged periods of time. Wear cotton gloves and then pull rubber gloves over these if your job requires you to have the hands submerged in water. Careful manicuring is essential.

Other Suggestions

Do not use nail polish remover more than once a week. The strong chemicals damage and dry out the nails.

The nails are a good indication of the condition of the bones. If the nails are weak and brittle you should have your bones checked out by a health practitioner.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Silicea Gel (Anton Huebner)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil 1,000 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Stress B Formula (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)

Designer Protein (Next Nutrition)

Nutricap Capsules (Yves Ponroy Canada)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)

Herbal Remedies

FloraSil (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Salus Herbal Calcium/Magnesium Liquid (Flora)

Salus Horsetail Tincture (Flora)

Schoenenberger Nettle Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Green Magma (Green Foods)

Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)

Dandelion Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Yellow Dock Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Ultra-Sil (Prairie Naturals)

Silica (Scandinavian Naturals)

Homeopathy

Urticalcin (Bioforce)