Pale nail, the scientific name for the same is leuconychia. The paleness of the nail may be in different forms. Some times the nail may be pale in total. At times white spots or white streaks can be noticed. There is a certain connection between the pale nail and health. Let us discuss about it here.
The causes of paleness of the nail
There are so many reasons for leuconychia. Nail paleness can be triggered by mild trauma to the nail. At times the nail paleness may be due disease such as hypoalbuminaemia chronic liver disease. Here the total nail will be pale, only the top portion of the nail will retain its original pink color. The nails of the thumb and the index fingers are most affected.
The reason for the paleness is yet to be ascertained. Some feel it may be due to the compression caused by the extra cellular fluid. Leoconychia is not only noticed in liver diseases but also noticed renal diseases, lymphoma, and fungal diseases. In some case the leuconychia can be congenital also. Let us discuss about the other causes of nail paleness here
Infection
Certain type of fungus can cause change in the texture, color, and shape of the nail.
Certain type of bacteria can also bring about change in the color of the nail. For examples pseudomonas can cause green nails. The bacteria can cause painful areas under the nail and in severe case of bacterial infection can lead to the loss of plate thus changing the color of the nail.
Diseases
The diseases that reduce the quantity of oxygen present in the blood may result in clubbing. Under this situation the color of the nail changes from pink to white.
In certain kidney diseases, there will be accumulation of nitrogen wastes in the blood which can bring about color change in the nail.
Thyroid diseases such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may lead to the formation of brittle nails and pale nails. Serious illness and prolonged illness may result in formation of horizontal depression in the nails thus resulting in the formation of white lines.
Systemic amyloidosis can cause pale skin. Vitamin deficiency in some cases cause leoconychia. Mal nutrition is the other reason for the formation of the pale nail.
Psoriasis may result in splitting, and pitting of the nail plate as well as paleness of the nail. Arsenic poisoning can lead to the formation of horizontal ridges and white lines in the nail plate.
Treatment
As such there is no treatment for the pale nail except polishing the nail with the color one prefers. Since pale nail and health are related, the underlying cause needs to prevent which is the best option available for treating the pale nail.
Glossary
Liver- important organ of digestive system for the digestion of food.
Kidney- important organ of the excretory system which filters the unwanted products from blood.
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