Wavy and uneven fingernails: causes, treatment and remedies

Causes

There are several factors leading to pathology. If your nails grow in waves, the reasons may be as follows:

Injury. This is the main reason why nails grow in waves. Due to improper care or carelessness during manicure, the nail plate is injured. The integrity is damaged not only due to impact or pinching, but also when cutting the cuticle and hangnails. Damage also occurs due to burns, non-compliance with nail extension techniques, and the use of low-quality gel polishes for care.
Infectious lesion. This is a common reason why fingernails grow in waves. In this case, changes in the integrity and appearance of the nail plate are observed, as with a fungal infection. No cosmetics can hide imperfections. You can become infected in public places. Moreover, the infection can penetrate under the nails of both the toes and hands. In addition to the ribbed surface, itching and burning appear. Without consulting a dermatologist and prescribing the correct treatment, it will not be possible to eliminate the pathology.
Hormonal changes. If the functioning of the thyroid gland is disrupted, then growths and deformations on the nail are likely. This is another common reason why nails grow in waves. The change appears not only on a person’s nails, but also in the body as a whole. Diagnosis is performed by an endocrinologist. Hormonal disorders are detected by nails, as well as by rashes on the face, brittleness and hair loss, weight changes for no reason, and swelling.
Hypovitaminosis. Iron deficiency is a common reason why nails grow in waves. Only a specialist can determine the disease by taking blood. But not only iron leads to pathology. Deficiency of other vitamins and microelements also has a negative effect. Vitamin E affects the appearance, makes the nail strong and moisturized. If there are enough vitamins in the body, then the nails will be healthy and strong, they are not able to peel and break. A specialist can identify a deficiency of microelements and vitamins by taking tests. Calcium is the main component of the nail, the lack of which leads to pathology of the plates.
Stress. This is an equally common reason why nails begin to grow in waves. Stress and depression negatively affect the functioning of organs and tissues, including nails. If the plates become wavy, then only a doctor can determine the cause.

These are all the reasons why your big toenail grows in waves. The defect can appear on several plates. Whatever the reasons for this phenomenon, an integrated approach to solving the problem will allow you to get rid of this shortcoming.

Wave prevention

To keep your nails in excellent condition, follow simple rules of prevention:

Lead a healthy lifestyle. Remember, alcohol flushes calcium from the body, which directly harms the condition of all bone tissue.
Take more vitamins.
Undergo a comprehensive examination to identify and eliminate all problems in the body. Don't leave illness to chance.
Do manicures less often and let your nails rest. There is nothing wrong with natural marigolds.
Extend your nails less often, do not file the surface to level the plate.
Use medicated varnishes and creams.
Visit only professional nail salons, do not trust your fingers to amateurs in underground areas. It’s better to overpay a little for quality work than to spend money on treatment and restoration of nails.

Follow these tips and your nails will always be healthy and shiny.

Kinds

There are several types of defects. In any case, effective treatment is important. Experts divide uneven nails into several types:

Irregularities. The grooves attract people's attention. Diagnostics allows you to determine the cause that led to the deformation. Longitudinal grooves not only spoil the appearance, but also indicate a health hazard. The ribbed plate should not cause concern only in old age, since strong changes have occurred in the body. If the defect occurs at a young age, then you need to see a doctor. Don't hide it with nail polish.
Waves. This deficiency indicates that the body's systems are not functioning properly. The defect appears when one completely abstains from meat. If, in addition to transverse waves, peeling is noticeable, then this indicates a fungus. There is no need to panic; the fungus can be easily treated. With the help of specialist consultation and simple procedures, it will be possible to eliminate the pathology.
Lumpiness. In addition to irregularities, there may also be bumps. In this case, a doctor’s consultation and treatment are required. Usually the deficiency appears from a deficiency of minerals and vitamins, hormonal imbalance.

Often the nail grows in waves when cosmetic procedures are performed incorrectly. This is also associated with non-compliance with the rules of caring for hands and feet.

Main causes of wavy nails

Any problems with natural manicure or pedicure are associated with one of the following types of reasons: internal or external factors. The former imply problems in the girl’s body, the latter – the negative impact of external factors.

Due to the possibility of complications affecting the patient’s health, you need to consult a doctor, since there are many internal causes:

Poor circulation;
Fungal infection;
Gastrointestinal diseases;
Hormonal imbalance (during menstruation, pregnancy, stress or lactation);
Lack of vitamins, microelements in the body, matrix;
Liver or kidney dysfunction;
Problems with the state of the endocrine system and thyroid gland.

One of the common causes of ripples on nails is fungus. Infection of a healthy nail leads to a deterioration in its visual or tactile condition. It is easy to distinguish between infection, since it also leads to other signs of symptoms - yellowness, the appearance of detachments, gradual destruction of the nail, and the formation of dark spots.

It is difficult to independently identify the health problem that is causing the waves, so to do this you need to see a doctor who will prescribe tests and diagnose them.

The impact of external factors is associated with a careless attitude to manicure on the part of the girl, so the reasons should be taken into account:

Sloppy manicure. Even when visiting a salon, a nail technician does not always first sterilize the tools and use them carefully. Also keep in mind that the use of low-quality compounds can lead to damage to the nails;
Mechanical damage. Injury to a natural manicure can be associated with a pinched, bruised finger or a splinter. It leads to impaired blood circulation and the supply of microelements to the matrix, which increases the recovery period;
Aggressive exposure to chemicals. When using chemicals and detergents, wear rubber gloves so that acids and alkalis do not damage the sensitive structure;
Bad habits. If a girl is used to biting her nails, then she herself contributes to their gradual deformation, this can lead to them becoming wavy.

Also, sometimes problems with plates in women occur with frequent consumption of coffee or alcoholic beverages, as they reduce local immunity, which affects the condition of the nail bed.

External factors are safer for patients, since no special treatment is needed. To eliminate a wavy surface, you only need to neutralize its causative agent. The main thing is to understand why the nail deteriorates.

Treatment with medications

If your nails grow in waves, what should you do? First of all, you need to see a doctor. Treatment involves the use of pharmacological drugs prescribed by a specialist. But not all patients are ready for drug therapy, which can lead to the spread of irregularities.

If the nails begin to grow in waves, the treatment should use preparations with calcium and B vitamins. These are nicotinic acid, retinol, chitin. Your doctor may also prescribe vitamins A and E, which strengthen the nail plate and provide resistance to environmental influences. To enhance the effect, the specialist prescribes external antimicrobial agents. For example, Miconazole ointment works effectively.

Treatment

Treatment and further prevention are prescribed after diagnosis.

Main stages of treatment:

Medicines, antibiotics.
Taking vitamin complexes.
Revision of nutrition.
Baths, hand creams, medicinal compositions.
Hand massage.

Medications

Pharmacological drugs are used when the surface of the nail is damaged due to fungal and infectious diseases. Untimely treatment can lead to the spread of pathology to all nails.

Medications:

Miconazole ointment (antimicrobial agent).
Aevit. The plate is strengthened.
Nicotinic acid, Retinol, Chitin.
Antibiotics.

Taking vitamins

For healthy nails, it is important to monitor your diet and take vitamin complexes. Nutritionists recommend excluding fatty and fried foods and flour products from the diet.

The following vitamins should be supplied to the body along with foods:

Group B drugs. Improve the quality of nails and hair. Contained in black currants and broccoli.
Iron. Participates in providing tissues with oxygen. Contained in beef, liver, tuna, zucchini.
Fluorine. Makes bone tissue strong. Contained in tomatoes, nuts, citrus fruits.
Vitamin C. Increases immunity, strengthens the entire body as a whole.
Sulfur. Gives the plate shine and shine, protects from delamination. Contained in buckwheat, onions, oatmeal.

Baths and compresses

At home, you can take care of your nails no worse than in a beauty salon. Do-it-yourself baths and compresses have a good effect on the quality of the plate.

Sea salt

Salt effectively strengthens nails and accelerates their growth.

Preparation:

Pour 500 ml of warm water into a small container.
Dissolve 2 tbsp. l. sea salt.
If desired, add 1-2 drops of essential oil.
Place your hands in the bath for 15 minutes.
Rinse. Lubricate with cream.

The procedure is carried out every 2 days. Do not use salt on wounds and cuts.

Lemon acid

Vitamin C makes nails strong, gives shine and shine.

Preparation:

Dissolve 2 g of citric acid in a bath of warm water. You can use freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Dip your fingertips into the liquid for 10 minutes.
Wash your hands with running water. Apply moisturizer.

The bath is done 1-2 times a week.

Oil compress

Essential oils help get rid of wavy nails and improve their appearance.

Preparation:

Add 5 drops each of almond, tea tree and avocado oil to olive oil.
Mix the composition and apply to a cotton pad. Apply the compress to problem areas and hold for 3-5 minutes.
Wash your hands with warm water.

An oil compress is used daily.

Traditional medicine

Folk remedies are used in combination with the treatment prescribed by the doctor. Deformation of the nail plate will disappear if the procedures are carried out regularly.

Traditional medicine:

Sunflower oil (must be slightly heated in a water bath and rubbed into the affected areas).
Oatmeal hand mask. Pour boiling water over the cereal and leave for 30 minutes. Apply the mixture to your hands and hold for half an hour. Rinse with warm water, lubricate with cream.
Tomato juice. Mash fresh tomatoes, add a little water. Immerse your fingertips in the mixture for 20 minutes.
Herbal bath. Add 1 tbsp to 500 ml of hot water. l. oregano, chamomile and sage. Leave and strain. Keep your hands in the liquid for half an hour. Repeat daily for a week.

Before using traditional methods, it is necessary to study contraindications.

Vitamin therapy

If nails or toenails grow in waves, doctors recommend using vitamin therapy, as well as learning to eat a balanced diet. Nutritionists advise eliminating flour and fatty foods from your diet. Vitamins found in foods are also useful:

Vitamin B. Eliminates inflammation, accelerates tissue healing. Black currants and olives are rich in them.
Iron. Transports oxygen to tissues. The component is present in poultry meat, zucchini, and berries.
Fluoride and vitamin C. The components are needed not only for nails, but also for the normal condition of teeth, bones, and hair. Vitamin C strengthens the immune system. The component is rich in citrus fruits, nuts, tomatoes, and chicken eggs.
Selenium. Eliminates layering and brittleness of nails, provides natural shine. Onions, oatmeal, buckwheat and other foods are rich in selenium.

If your toenails or fingernails grow in waves, then these products must be included in your diet. Proper and balanced nutrition allows you to quickly get rid of deficiency.

Detection of disease by nails

Having found out the reasons for the deformation of the fingernails, so that the condition does not worsen and does not develop into a problem, you need to find out the cause of the tubercles and corrugations. At the same time, you must remember that only a doctor can identify the disease, make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment. You should not self-medicate; it can lead to unexpected consequences. Treatment for ridged fingernails:

To begin with, you should always remember the need to lead a healthy lifestyle. After all, what we eat, what we breathe, what we drink greatly affects every part of our body.

We will have healthy nails if the body receives a full range of vitamins. A healthy nail has the following elements: calcium, chromium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium. When their balance is disrupted, they stop looking healthy. We need to adjust our diet and make sure that all useful elements and vitamins enter our body.

Foods that contain iron are important. Eat apples, dried apricots, fish and seafood more often.

It is necessary that the diet must include vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. If you add greens (onions, parsley, tomatoes, carrots, garlic) to your menu, you will be pleasantly surprised at the quick transformation.

Products high in protein are also important - meat products, chicken and quail eggs, and fermented milk products.

To ensure that the body receives a sufficient amount of iodine, you can eat salads with flax and sesame seeds. Eat spinach and seaweed more often.

Detection of disease by nails

Don't forget to keep your body hydrated. Every day a person needs to drink two liters of water. The liquid helps cleanse the body and maintain the proper functioning of every cell in the body. If you set your daily routine and diet, you can forget about plate deformation.

Folk remedies

If a fingernail or toenail grows in waves, folk recipes are used. The most effective include the following:

Applications based on unrefined oil.
Oatmeal mask. Apply an application of oatmeal gruel for 30 minutes. Then you need to rinse with running water.
Tomato juice for baths. Keep for at least 20 minutes.
Therapeutic baths. You will need warm water (4 glasses), add sea salt (2 tbsp), lemon oil (4 drops). The bath is used 3 times a week for a course of 60 days.
Baths with medicinal herbs and plants. Oak bark, calendula, and chamomile are often used.

Causes of white spots on nails

Persistent whitening of nails (leukonychia) occurs due to failures in the formation of the stratum corneum. The nail plate contains microscopic inclusions containing fat and water. Under unfavorable conditions, they can be replaced by air and form whitish spots. This is a purely optical effect, since no white pigment is formed in the process.

External reasons

Single or small white spots may occur due to a finger injury. A blow, pressure or a carelessly done pedicure can cause your toenails to turn white. It is especially easy to damage the nail bed when removing cuticles. Constant extensions are also bad for the nail plates.

White spots on nails also occur for other reasons:

frequent use of household chemicals without hand protection;
wearing tight shoes;
use of low-quality varnish;
habit of biting nails during times of nervous tension.

Often unfavorable conditions are caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or the nature of work, for example, with hazardous substances.

Internal reasons

White spots on the fingernails or toenails may appear due to an imbalance in the body. First of all, you can suspect a deficiency of iron, zinc and calcium. Perhaps the nail turned white due to a lack of vitamins A, E, C. A strict diet, metabolic disorders, dysbacteriosis, diabetes, and heart problems can lead to a lack of necessary microelements.

In cases of serious kidney disease, white transverse stripes appear on the nails. They indicate insufficient protein synthesis in the body.

A common lesion is a fungal infection, such as white superficial onychomycosis. It is because of this that specific opalescent white spots appear on the toenails. They gradually enlarge, and then the toenails or fingernails turn white, become brittle and rough. The fungus can go undetected for a long time, but in the later stages the nail plate begins to separate and the finger begins to hurt.

Who is at risk?

White stripes on the nails are most likely to form in children. The child is in a state of active growth, and a deficiency of various substances occurs. When noticing the appearance of white spots on a child’s fingernails, parents should remain calm. It is better for them to think about improving the child’s nutrition and spend time with him in the fresh air more often. Teenagers may experience hormonal surges and protein deficiency during rapid growth.

The appearance of white spots on the nails often occurs during pregnancy and in nursing women. An acute lack of iron in the expectant mother, as well as a deficiency of zinc, calcium and iron, can lead to the development of anemia and other diseases. A woman must donate blood for a detailed analysis. The results will show the lack of elements, and based on them the doctor will treat the disease.

Procedures

Modern salons have special equipment that restores damaged nails. For this purpose, treatment courses created by specialists are used. In physiotherapy, diathermy, iontophoresis, phonophoresis with the use of the necessary vitamins are used. Courses include 10-15 procedures with an interval of up to 8 weeks.

Non-device treatment methods are also in demand. In warm applications, the use of therapeutic mud, natural wax, ozokerite, and paraffin is in demand. For maximum effect, such applications are applied to the nail and surrounding area. Warm baths with essential oils, sea salt, and pine needle extracts help. Such additives ensure blood flow and stimulate the nutrition of nail cells.

It is important to consider that the porous structure of nails can absorb various components, including harmful ones. This explains why nails become wavy. Therefore, it is important to avoid prolonged contact with household chemicals; if necessary, you should use gloves.

Diagnosis of the cause

Irregularities on the fingernails can serve as an indicator that will allow timely identification of the causes of illnesses or serious disorders in the body that manifest themselves in this way. As soon as structural modifications of the nail plates are noticed, in which a pathological nature is suspected, especially if this is accompanied by some kind of transformation of the fingers, you should immediately consult a doctor.

This will allow you to identify the disease at an early stage, which means you can cope with the problem and not have health problems in the future.

Hardware methods

The doctor examines the nails under a lamp, which is also a magnifying glass. When examining the nail, he pays attention to its shape, color and how hard and thick it is, as well as transparent.

Laboratory methods

Inspection by the device is only an initial inspection. To determine exactly what the cause of onchidystrophy is, the specialist conducts a series of tests, among which there will certainly be microscopy of the nail plates, through which they are checked for fungi, and a special analysis that allows checking for microelements.

There are cases that require a test to determine the presence and quantity of vitamins in the blood. Often, a dermatologist to whom a patient comes with nail problems recommends that he consult another specialist - a pulmonologist, surgeon, or cardiologist. It depends on the nature of the problem.

What should not be done during treatment?

Do you want to get immediate results? Be aware of methods and activities that may be hazardous to health. To prevent the problem from getting worse, you need to follow simple tips:

Nail extensions cannot solve the problem of deformation. This can aggravate it, as there is a high risk of getting a chemical burn.
It is not advisable to use a highly abrasive polishing file. It is harmful to healthy nails. After using it, the waves are eliminated, but the causes remain. Treatment will still be needed.
Do not overly moisturize the cuticle and hangnails when removing them. This leaves the skin too vulnerable, leading to infection and injury.
Dry cuticles must be trimmed carefully. This may require the help of a specialist or his advice.

How are the holes in the fingernails related to health?

By carefully examining the nail holes, you can identify whether the patient has some problems in the functioning of body systems or the development of serious diseases. Such diagnostic methods were widely used by ancient Tibetan and Chinese healers.

Research conducted by modern specialists does not refute methods for diagnosing diseases based on the condition of the nail plates, but taking into account genetic aspects. Sometimes the appearance and shape of the nail holes may indicate not an existing disease, but a predisposition to it, and also identify the most vulnerable areas. If you pay attention to this in time, effective prevention will help you avoid serious health problems.

The connection between the nail holes and the entire body.

Large holes on all nails of both hands indicate good health, excellent blood supply, a healthy endocrine system and good vitality indicators. Small holes or their absence indicate health problems or a predisposition to diseases, which will be discussed below.

Holes on the big toe of the nail: indicate the functioning of the brain and lungs.
The holes on the index finger of the nail: inform about the condition of the colon, gastrointestinal tract, and pelvic organs.
Holes on the middle finger: indicate the health or pathology of the blood supply to the vascular system.
Holes on the ring finger: indicate the health of the endocrine and lymphatic systems, kidneys.
Holes on the little finger: talk about bowel function.

By looking at the holes in the nails, you can determine the presence of certain health problems or a predisposition to diseases

Proper care

With regular and healthy care you can maintain the beauty of your nails. Several rules must be followed:

Professional manicure. To do this, it is necessary to properly file, trim the cuticle, carefully eliminate and treat cracks, damage to nails and skin.
Protecting nails from toxic influences. For this purpose, gloves are used, oils are used to strengthen varnishes.
Maintaining hygiene. An individual manicure set is used and an antiseptic is used.

Proper care requires effort to achieve the desired result. Regular procedures and hygiene rules help protect against aesthetic defects and unpleasant ailments.

Treatment of pits on nails

If the appearance of pits on the nails is caused by diseases of the internal organs, in order to get rid of them, it is necessary to treat the underlying cause. Dents can be treated by following proper nutrition, nail hygiene, and taking preventive measures.

Healthy eating rules

It is important to treat pitted nails with a balanced diet. Your daily diet should include fruits and vegetables

To saturate the body with nutrients, it is recommended to eat a varied diet and only healthy foods.

The menu should include foods rich in Omega-3 acids. Therefore, it is recommended to enjoy nuts and fish.

To restore all the basic functions of the body, as well as eliminate pits on the nails, it is recommended to drink two liters of liquid during the day.

Features of nail hygiene

For the beauty of nails, treatment, and also the prevention of dents on them, it is important to carry out proper hygiene:

If necessary, protect your nails from the harmful effects of the external environment. If it is windy or cold outside the window, be sure to wear gloves on your hands

Also, protective gloves should be worn when working with soil or household chemicals.

It is important to do your manicure systematically. Clean your nails of dirt and carefully trim chips and snags to avoid treating pits.

To maintain moisture on the nails and skin of the hands, as well as to prevent the treatment of pits, it is recommended to use a moisturizing hand lotion as needed.

Also, you should not expose your hands to frequent exposure to moisture, as they can become very dry and cracked.

It is useful as a treatment, as well as for the prevention of indentations on the nails, to rub jojoba oil mixed with vitamin E into the nail plate and cuticle daily.

To reduce dimples on your nails, experts advise using nail files to polish them. Polishing should be done with soft and gentle movements, without pressing hard on the nails. The procedure must be performed in one direction only. To eliminate the pits, you will need to carry out several polishing procedures.

Oils

To moisturize and restore wavy nails, use base and essential oils. They can be bought at the pharmacy. Effective are:

coconut;
almond;
olive;
castor;
burdock;
apricot;
avocado.

Esters that help include lavender, rosemary, lemon, grapefruit, and tea tree. Base oils enriched with essential oils are rubbed into the nails for a few minutes in the evening. Then cotton gloves are put on top. The product is left overnight.

You can also prepare an oil bath. Need to:

mix 3 tbsp. l. olive, almond and avocado oils;
add 5-6 drops of tea tree oil;
heat in a water bath;
lower your fingers for 15 minutes;
then rinse off and treat your nails with nourishing cream.

A mixture with iodine also helps. For this:

olive oil (1 tbsp) mixed with the same amount of lemon juice;
add 3 drops of iodine;
the composition is mixed.

A cotton pad is moistened with the mixture and rubbed into the nails. After a few minutes, rinse with water. You can use oils every day, which has a positive effect on the skin and phalanx of nails.

It is recommended to go only to professional manicurists and not to cut the cuticles yourself. It is better to use a protective base coat before using colored varnish.

Treatment of wavy nails

When stripes and waves appear on the nail plates, it is necessary to first identify their cause, and only then determine a treatment strategy.

There are many factors influencing the deformation of nails, and it is unlikely that you will be able to recognize the true one on your own. It is necessary to consult a doctor to resolve this issue.

The specialist will conduct a full examination, prescribing the necessary tests. This will help determine the cause of wavy nails and select adequate treatment.

The easiest way to get rid of deformation caused by mechanical damage.

If the problem is a poor-quality manicure, you should seek help from an experienced nail technician. It is also necessary to properly care for your nails, treating them regularly, taking baths, and carefully pushing back the cuticles with an orange wood stick. How to properly do a manicure at home.

When treating your nails yourself, you must follow the following rules:

manicure accessories must be treated with a disinfection solution before each procedure;
manicure tools must be of high quality;
trimmed manicure should be performed using special manicure scissors, and burrs should also be trimmed with them;
to remove nail polish you need to use special products, preferably without acetone;
use moisturizing and nourishing creams containing vitamins.

It is useful to prepare various decoctions of herbs that have antiseptic and antimicrobial properties (chamomile, calendula and others), and home-made paraffin wraps for the nail plates. If you follow these rules, as your nails grow, the waves will completely disappear.

If trauma to the nail plate is caused by bad habits due to stress, the doctor may prescribe special means to relieve nervous tension (Tenoten, Afobazol and others).

If you have vitamin deficiency, it is recommended to balance your diet as much as possible. In order to replenish your supply of vitamin A, it is recommended to consume more:

carrots;
broccoli, parsley and other greens;
meat;
tomatoes;
fish and red caviar;
liver;
dairy products;
eggs;
pepper;
potatoes;
pumpkins;
melons

To increase your level of B vitamins, you need to eat as much as possible:

buckwheat;
liver;
walnuts and other nuts;
sprouted grain;
spinach;
fish and seafood;
legumes;
cauliflower;
rye bread;
potatoes;
dairy products.

If the cause of hypovitaminosis is the body’s inability to absorb certain nutrients from food, the doctor may prescribe special vitamin complexes or single preparations. Vitamins to nourish nails.

If a fungal infection is detected, it is necessary to determine the type of pathogen. If the infection was caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe local antibacterial drugs in the form of ointments, creams or gels, if by fungi, remedies against these microorganisms. Treatment of nail fungus.

After detecting a hormonal imbalance in a patient, the doctor usually prescribes medications to normalize it.

The situation is more complicated in situations where the cause of wavy nails is some systemic disease of the body.

A full examination of the body is prescribed, after which an illness is identified that requires treatment from a highly specialized specialist: for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract - a gastroenterologist, the thyroid gland - an endocrinologist, the heart and blood vessels - a cardiologist. Only these doctors will be able to prescribe the necessary medications. Once the disease is completely cured, the problem of wavy nails will disappear.

Salt bath

Baths with sea salt help. They accelerate nail growth and protect against splitting. This requires:

pour warm water into a glass;
add 1 tbsp to it. l. sea salt;
dip your fingertips into the product;
wait 10-15 minutes and wash your fingers with water.

Sea salt should be used without flavorings or other additives. If there are wounds and damage to the skin, it is advisable to choose a different recipe. To quickly eliminate deformation, the bath is used once every 1-2 days.

Features of the manifestation of pathology

Uneven fingernails and toenails are accompanied by external and internal symptoms.

Features of manifestation:

uneven nail plate;
thinning;
yellowness;
pits, bulges;
nails peel and break;
white and black dots appear.

Infectious diseases and vitamin deficiency may be accompanied by a deterioration in general health, drowsiness, and loss of strength.

If your nails become wavy over time, this indicates that there is a malfunction in the body. The appearance of a symptom such as lumpiness on the nail plate is associated with infections and a lack of vitamins.

Irregularities in children and adults can be a feature of the body. In this case, cosmetic procedures and manicures help.

The child has

Wavy stripes on a child’s nails are often associated with a lack of vitamins and microelements in the body.

Children are more susceptible to finger injuries than adults . They often pinch the hands and waves form on the thumb.

Lemon acid

Lemon contains a lot of vitamin C. It ensures the strength and shine of nails. It can be used in different ways. Baths help. To do this you will need:

Dissolve 1 tsp in a glass of warm water. citric acid;
immerse your fingers in the solution for 10 minutes;
rinse them with water.

Fresh lemon can also be used. To do this, the fruit is cut in half. Nails are dipped into each half for 10 minutes. The procedure must be performed every other day, and for prevention - 2 times a week.

Methods for treating white streaks

When faced with a problem, you should first improve your nail care. It is recommended to avoid exposure to chemicals; to do this, use rubber gloves when performing household or gardening work. Prolonged contact with water should also be avoided, especially if we are talking about poorly purified tap water.

It is recommended to replace manicure and pedicure products with higher quality ones. Files and other manicure tools can also deform the plate and cause lines to appear. Preference should be given to gentle devices.

If the reason does not lie in the care of your fingers and toes, then you need to consult a doctor. First of all, the therapist will issue a referral for general laboratory tests, which, together with a description of well-being, can help narrow the range of problems. Serious diseases of internal organs must be treated under the supervision of specialists. Having discovered white lines on the nails and realizing that this is a manifestation of the disease, the doctor will prescribe treatment. By eliminating the internal cause, a person can get rid of the nail defect. It may take up to 6 months until the plate is updated.

Traditional methods

If the cause of the lines is external, you can improve the condition of your arms and legs using folk methods. They are also effective in combating fungal diseases, especially those detected at the initial stage, in the form of dashes on the surface. Below are recipes that will help get rid of a cosmetic defect:

To treat mycosis, pharmaceutical products or a bath with sea salt are suitable. Her recipe is simple - dissolve 1 tablespoon of sea salt in a glass of warm water (temperature about 40 degrees). You can add a few drops of iodine and an infusion of tansy and wormwood to the solution. You need to keep your fingertips in this bath for about 30 minutes, and after the procedure, put on cotton socks or gloves. The session must be performed every other day, until the disease disappears completely.

If the cause of the defect is not an infectious disease, such baths will strengthen the plate and promote rapid growth, and therefore renewal of the plate. This way you can get rid of cosmetic defects faster.

Vitamin oil masks will help nourish your nails with vitamins and moisturize the plate. They are performed daily. Vitamin A and E in liquid form are added to 10 ml of oil. In addition to adding shine, such a mask will have a beneficial effect on the deep layers of the nail, preventing delamination and the formation of grooves. If you add a few drops of lemon juice to the mixture, the mask will further whiten the plate. This may be required when painting nails with paint, iodine or brilliant green, as well as when the color of the nail changes as a result of poor-quality coating.
A mask with iodine will also improve the structure of the nail, strengthening it. For preparation you will need any essential oil, iodine and vitamins in liquid form. For 1 teaspoon of essential oil (for example, grape seed oil or orange oil), add 5 drops of vitamin and iodine. The procedure must be repeated every other day until the plate is renewed. This mask has a noticeable result, but can stain the surface, so it is better to apply it in the evening. Overnight, the iodine will be absorbed and the nail will acquire a natural color.

All procedures are carried out on pre-washed hands and feet. Varnishes and other coatings must be removed. Otherwise, the beneficial substances will not get into the nail. During treatment, it is better to avoid using nail polish and nail extensions; these procedures can aggravate the situation.

Prevention

It is easier to prevent any illness than to treat it for a long time. With proper care of your hands and feet, you can prevent problems with your nail plates. There are several rules to follow:

You need proper nutrition.
Housework should be done with gloves to prevent exposure to chemicals.
It is important to take breaks between nail extensions.
It is useful to use nutritional products and applications.
You need to file your nails. The process should only be carried out at right angles.
A base coat is used before varnishing.
Twice a year you need to take courses of multivitamins.

Endocrine and hormonal disorders

Nails begin to become wavy due to metabolic disorders in the body. This can be caused by poor nutrition, dysfunction of internal organs and/or systems, and bad habits. Very often, metabolic disorders are triggered by metabolism.

Changes in hormonal levels also cause changes in the surface of the nail plate. In most cases, this can be caused by a disruption in the production of thyroid hormones, a sharp change in their levels in the body.

Wavy fingernails and toenails: causes, treatment

If any irregularities on the surface of the nails become noticeable, you should find out the cause of these changes. Wavy nails can affect the appearance and also indicate significant problems with the functioning of internal organs. The deformation may be invisible to the eye, or it may be pronounced. You can most often notice the modification on the thumbs, since they have the widest nail plate. Uneven nails may contain one small wave or have a continuous unevenness. This can be seen by looking at the thumbnail in profile. If you cover lumpy nails with varnish, all irregularities and waves, even minor ones, will be noticeable on the nails. So why do nails become wavy?

Why nails become wavy in children and how to treat deformed nail plates

Why do nails become wavy? Waves and bumps on the nails can occur at any age. The causes of wavy nails in children, as well as in adults, are different, but there are much fewer of them.

The nail plates at this age are thin, so they are easily injured, which leads to unevenness. Children often bite their nails and damage the thin skin around them.

Because of this, the infection penetrates under the skin and nails, causing inflammation and defects on the nail plates. Waviness of the nail plates in a child can occur against the background of frequent colds and pneumonia. The cause of nail deformation in childhood can be a fungal disease. Waves on the nails often occur due to carbohydrate imbalance and vitamin deficiency.

The cuticle and base of your baby's nails are very thin and delicate. Any wound can lead to tissue infection and damage to the nail plates. Therefore, it is very important to promptly disinfect damaged nails with antiseptic agents.

The fingernail is wavy

Cosmetic procedures. Hand baths will help improve your nails. The easiest option is a salt bath. It strengthens and disinfects nails, heals small cracks. For complex treatment, it is good to use folk recipes, including nail masks with red pepper, dried flowers or based on nourishing oils. You can use ready-made cosmetics to strengthen your nails and give them a healthy shine.
Nutrition. One of the main reasons why nails become wavy is poor nutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust your daily diet to include more vegetables and fruits. If there is a deficiency of vitamins in the body, it is useful to take a course of a vitamin-mineral complex, which can be purchased at a pharmacy. It must contain vitamins A, C, E, H, as well as the minerals silicon, iron, sulfur and calcium. Since a wavy nail is often the cause of anemia, you should eat foods such as apples, beef, pomegranates, liver and buckwheat.
Drugs. It is useful to rub oil solutions containing vitamins A and E into your nails. These preparations will strengthen your nails and remove minor damage and cracks. After a month of treatment, growing nails will become smooth and shiny. Procedures should be done at least twice a week. If the nails are affected by a fungus, then it is necessary to undergo treatment with antimycotic drugs. To treat nail fungus, you can use antifungal creams, gels, and varnishes. Among the well-known drugs are Nizoral, Lamesil, Mikozan, Zalain.