Thickening of nails on the legs - what is the reason

On the appearance of nail plates, you can do muchsay about a person - not only about how he cares for himself, but also about the state of his health. In China, some experts can even diagnose by simply examining your nails.

The keratinized plates on the tips of the fingers of the upperand the lower extremities, which we call nails, protect the phalanges of the fingers. They are quite strong, but at the same time there are many defects to which the nail plates are exposed. Among them, not the last place is occupied by thickening of the nails on the legs. And this problem is not only aesthetic in nature - it can be a sign of some diseases.

Normally, the thickness of the nail plate of the hands isabout half a millimeter, on the legs - up to one millimeter. A healthy nail has a slightly pink color and a smooth surface. White or yellowish color of the nail plate, the presence of furrows and thickening of the nail - an occasion to consult a specialist to find out the reason. Most often this trouble concerns the big toes.

Why does the thickening of the nails appear on the legs?

The reasons can be different - from genetic predisposition to serious diseases. We highlight the most common factors:

- psoriasis of the nail plate;

- foot fungus;

- circulatory disturbance;

- Pachyonihia congenital - this is the name of the hereditary tendency to thicken the nails;

- Neuropathy - a disease of the peripheral nerves of the hands and feet;

- incorrectly selected shoes;

- eating disorders, deficiency of vitamins and microelements;

- Skin diseases.

How to treat the thickening of the nails on the legs?

First of all, consult a doctor. After the survey, he will diagnose, and you will undergo adequate treatment.

The nail plate can become thicker after an injury,for example. Then it is not necessary to panic - soon there will be thickening of the nails on the legs, treatment is not required. Another thing is if a fungus is found. Then it is necessary to use antifungal drugs, both local and general action. By the way, the fungus is the most common cause, creating a thickening of the nails on the legs. Now in the pharmacy you can find a variety of means to fight it, but self-medication is best not to deal with - consult a doctor so as not to harm your health.

People who suffer from atherosclerosis, rheumatism,joint diseases and gout, are often prone to onychodystrophy - nonfungular lesion of the nail plate. The main cause of its occurrence in such cases is a violation of blood supply to the fingertips. In this situation, massage of the fingertips and drugs to improve microcirculation will help. In other cases, non-fungal thickening of the nails on the legs is treated by changing the diet and using special medications to improve metabolism.

If the problem is in congenital pachyonihia - make soda baths and drink vitamins. In general, it is worth noting that problems with nail plates are often a consequence of a weakened immune system.

Thickening of nails - a problem that is worth itpay attention to the initial stage. After the neglected forms can lead to the occurrence of subungual ulcers, traumatizing adjacent fingers, and also infecting the whole organism, if it is a fungus.