Fingernails bend: why does this happen?

A healthy nail plate looks dense, smooth and elastic. However, various nail diseases often occur: brittleness, peeling, deformation, deterioration in appearance, and so on. Today we will talk about the problem of bending fingernails.

This disease brings a lot of inconvenience, especially to girls. A nail plate that has an incorrect angle looks unsightly and causes discomfort in everyday life. What is the reason for curling nails?

The structure of the nail plate on the hands and provoking factors for bending

The structure of the nail plate depends on many factors: the amount of calcium and trace elements in the human body, the presence of any diseases, as well as individual characteristics.

Curling the nail down is the process of deforming the nail . If the nail plate becomes too thin and soft, then its edges on the sides begin to slowly bend, growing into the side ridges of the cuticle.

The form of deformation can be completely different, but the most common is the bending of the nail downwards. This change in the shape of the nail gives the fingers an unattractive appearance that is difficult to disguise even with a good manicure.

Sometimes the bent end of the nail plate can lead to injury to the skin and damage to the nail itself. The disease also leads to problems in everyday life, as nails constantly cling to clothes and other objects.

Possible diseases

Diseases of the respiratory tract often cause the nails to bend downwards. In addition to changing shape, the plate may change color to yellowish or bluish. A similar symptom is often observed in people with the following diseases:

Chronical bronchitis.
Asthma.
Lungs' cancer.
Tuberculosis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Various pathologies of the thyroid gland, as well as disturbances in the functioning of the pancreas and liver, can affect the fact that the nail plate begins to curl downwards. In addition, rounding of the nails may be the first symptom of a fungal infection.

Well-groomed nails are of great importance to every woman. It is difficult to disguise a deformed plate, since the hands are always visible. No woman wants to come to terms with the fact that her nails curl down. A dermatologist knows what to do in this situation.

The doctor will prescribe the necessary diagnostics to determine what exactly led to the development of the defect. If it turns out that curvature of the nails is only a symptom of some disease, he will prescribe its treatment. After the pathology is defeated, the plate will gradually return to its original shape.

If no serious pathologies are identified, the specialist will help correct some points that will help bring the appearance of the nail in order. This includes:

taking vitamin-mineral complexes containing vitamins B12, D3 and iron;
enriching the daily diet with foods such as fish, cheese and spinach;
constant monitoring of protein levels in the body (for some people, even a minimal deficiency of this component causes a decline in immunity and deterioration in the condition of hair and nails);
daily massaging the cuticle before bed and rubbing various oils into it, for example, olive;
complete refusal to use nail polish removers with acetone;
constant protection of hands and nails with rubber gloves while washing dishes;
predominant use of ceramic or glass files;
You can trust your nails only to highly qualified manicurists;
use of orthopedic shoes.

Reasons: why do they grow like that?

Why the nail plates on the index and other fingers bend, read on.

Heredity .
One of the most common causes, which begins to manifest itself with age after the structure of the nail plate has been completely formed. Most often, the problem of bending the nail occurs when the length of the nail plate itself exceeds 2 centimeters. Deformation can manifest itself in completely different ways: for example, the tip of the nail can bend down quite a bit, or, on the contrary, too much, resting against the skin. In this case, the pathology can affect both thick and thin nails. It is impossible to correct heredity, and the only correct solution would be to give up long nails in everyday life.
Lack of vitamins and minerals .
If there is a deficiency of all the elements necessary for the body, there is a poor supply of the nail plate matrix. This is why the nail grows soft, with an uneven surface and bends. In addition, the nail plate becomes very weak, flakes and breaks quickly. To eliminate this problem, you need to take a complex of vitamins, as well as improve your diet. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, fish and meat, healthy fats. This will help restore the health of your nails.
Nail injury . With severe injury, the nail plate becomes bent, the tip begins to bend, pain and hematoma appear. If the injury is severe, you should consult a doctor. You may need to remove the nail or cut off the damaged part.
Curling nails after childbirth . A woman’s body undergoes a complete hormonal change, which may include problems such as metabolic disorders. It is necessary to maintain proper nutrition and take a complex of vitamins to avoid the problem of nail deformation during this period.
Wrong care. Due to improper care, nails can become weaker and curved. The problem may arise due to regularly extending the nail plates or covering them with a thick layer of varnish, contact with acetone, improper filing and cutting, or working with dangerous household chemicals without protective equipment.
To get rid of this problem, you need to give your nails a so-called rest for at least three weeks.
Reference! Use nourishing oils and take baths to strengthen your nails during this period.
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract . Diseases of the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas can disrupt metabolic processes in the body, which is why vitamins are poorly absorbed into the blood, which can cause a change in the shape of the nail plate.
Diseases .
The most serious cause of curled nails, which requires contacting a specialist. Deformation of the nail plate can occur due to diseases of internal organs, inflammation, and infections in the body. Under the influence of microorganisms, nails not only become deformed, but can also change their color and structure. Viruses also have a negative effect on the body. Because of them, the immune system is rapidly weakened, which can also affect the health of the nail plate. All of these have serious consequences, so see your doctor for treatment.
Diseases of the respiratory system . Pathologies such as asthma, bronchitis and others cause the nail plate to bend downwards, and the nail becomes blue-violet in color. This is due to the fact that there is not enough oxygen in the body's cells.
Lack of moisture in the body . The problem can be solved very easily; you need to drink your quota of water per day, maintaining the correct water balance in the body.
Active use of household chemicals . Chemicals negatively affect the health of the nail plate, so be sure to use personal protective equipment, such as thick rubber gloves. And after contact with the chemical, apply a thick layer of rich cream to the skin of your hands.

Treatment methods: what to do to fix it?

Read on to learn how to cure a nail plate that grows downward.

First, you need to consult a doctor specializing in this problem - a dermatologist - to conduct an examination and identify the correct cause that causes the nail plate to bend down.
If in your case the cause is improper nail care, then avoid visiting beauty salons and manicures. It is better to apply special restorative varnishes to the upper layers of the nail plate, which contain substances that are beneficial for nails.

When the nail grows, carefully trim it short , completely cutting off the damaged part.

When fungal diseases are detected, it is necessary to use specialized ointments and creams prescribed by the attending physician. The average course of such treatment is two weeks. In addition, it is necessary to take a vitamin complex to restore the lack of necessary components in the body.

There are also several popular traditional medicine methods that are excellent in combating nail plate deformation. These include various baths and nail masks.

Let's look at a few popular recipes:

Wax based mask .
It is necessary to melt thirty grams of beeswax. Next, the product is mixed with one teaspoon of any moisturizing cosmetic oil (for example, orange, almond seed, coconut, burdock, peach seed, cedar, and so on). Then add five drops of essential oil (for example, tea tree, grapefruit, wheat germ, mint, lavender, etc.) to the resulting mixture. Fingers must be dipped into the mask, then placed in a container with cold water until the wax completely hardens. The product must be kept on the nails for twenty minutes. You can make a mask twice a week.
Mask based on red pepper .
An excellent product that stimulates blood flow, which improves the growth of the nail plate and makes its structure stronger. Add a spoonful of baby cream, two teaspoons of red pepper to three tablespoons of boiling water and mix the resulting mixture thoroughly. Then apply the mask onto your fingers in a thick layer after it has cooled. Leave the product on your nails for half an hour, then wash off your hands with warm water and soap. This mask can be used maximum once every two weeks.
Bath for restoring the nail plate . Pour 200 milliliters of warm water into a container, add two tablespoons of iodine and one spoon of aloe juice, a little baking soda. Dip your fingers in the resulting liquid for fifteen minutes, then wipe them with a towel until completely dry. After the procedure, you can apply a rich cream or cosmetic oil to the cuticle to avoid dryness.

A good way is to massage the phalanx of the finger. Thanks to this, the blood flow in the nail plate area increases, the blood is saturated with oxygen, and the necessary vitamins and minerals are better absorbed into the layers of the skin.

Take the cream, apply it to the area of your finger for massage and with a special brush or the fingers of your other hand, perform massage movements for one minute. You can repeat the procedure two to three times a week.

What causes fingernails to bend downwards and what to do

At a time when the circumstance that causes the fingernails to bend down is known, and it is not related to heredity, it is possible to try to solve the problem with folk remedies. We have selected the most effective recipes for baths, massage mixtures and enhancing procedures.

If your nails are bent downwards, decide what to do next.

Therapeutic baths.

If your nails are deformed, you should take salt baths. It is better to take sea salt or iodized salt. Add one spoon of salt and a couple of drops of essential oil to two liters of warm water. Instead of iodized salt, it is possible to add iodine. The handles are kept in this water until they cool.

Iodine.

When the nails are bent downwards, it is recommended to use iodine to treat them. This procedure will strengthen the nail plate, the nails will become strong and begin to level out. To do this, remove all coatings from the nails and apply iodine daily until complete recovery.

Lemon juice

It is also considered a good remedy for treating emerging imperfections on the nails. Lemon juice should be rubbed into the nails, it is possible to add essential oils for excellent results.

Massage.

A mandatory procedure not only for nail treatment, but also for prevention. Massage increases blood circulation around the nail, enhancing their condition. It is better to use manicure oil or vitamin cream for this. A massage should be done every evening before bed.

Mask.

You need to heat 1 tbsp. olive oil and add a few drops of lemon juice to it. Apply the mixture to your nails, put on natural gloves and go to bed. In the morning, your hands and nails will look much more beautiful. This procedure can be done once a week.

Prevention measures

To avoid such a problem as bending the nail down, you must follow the following rules :

Watch your diet. Eat more foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
Maintain proper hygiene and nail care. Choose the tools that are right for you.
Use gloves and other hand protection when working with harsh chemicals.
Avoid getting nail extensions and covering them with gel polish, or choose a good specialist who works with high-quality materials.
Learn how to trim and file your nail plate correctly.
Consult a doctor promptly if you notice any pathologies associated with the nail plate.
Use special pharmaceutical products to strengthen your nails.
Follow these simple rules to preserve the beauty of your nails for a long time.

Deformation of the nail plate is not uncommon and is a fairly common disease. Most often it affects girls and women, but men’s nails can also become deformed.

The disease can occur due to a variety of reasons, so it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner to solve the problem. The specialist will select the right treatment regimen that will quickly relieve you of the unpleasant problem of downward deformation of the nail plate.

To avoid negative consequences, consult a doctor at the first unpleasant symptoms. We hope the article was useful to you and you were able to find the answer to your question.

Treatment

To treat a bend, it is necessary to act on the root cause of the disease. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is consult a cosmetologist, dermatologist, or surgeon, depending on the complexity of the manifestations. At the beginning of treatment, nutrition should be normalized, protein foods, vitamins and minerals should be consumed in sufficient quantities.

If the cause of the disease is improper care, you need to take a break from visiting a cosmetologist for 1 to 2 months. During this period, special restorative agents must be applied to the surface.

Since this problem can only be corrected with complex treatment, it is additionally recommended to take baths with sea salt and rub wax, honey, castor and burdock oil into the nail plate. If the cause of the appearance is a fungal infection or a serious illness, then treatment should be prescribed by a doctor after a thorough diagnosis.

The appearance of the first signs of curvature indicates the development of metabolic disorders in the body. During normal functioning of the body, nails, as a rule, retain their shape.

Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the diet, the general condition of the body and consult a doctor.