- +27 (0) 861 999 907
- +27 (0) 866 352 998
Your nails can be a health (e.g. diabetes) tell-tale sign
"Diabetes Nails"
“Diabetes Nails” (onychomycosis), can be a telltale sign of the condition. Often characterized by yellowing, thickening, and changes in shape, they can also become brittle and more susceptible to infection.
Your nails can be a tell-tale sign of an underlying disease
Loose nails (Onycholysis) is the most common tell-tale sign of many possible underlying diseases. It is also probably the most common cause of unsightly hands and feet. Healthy nails are pink, smooth and have an even colour. When you notice any change in the appearance of your otherwise healthy nails, it is time for concern.
This change can be a tell-tale sign for a range of crucial health issues such as diabetes, thyroid disease and many other internal diseases. (See list below). A change in your nail/s isn’t a definite diagnosis, but rather a potential early warning sign for you to notice and benefit from early diagnosis.
When a nail develops a white area and begins degenerating, it is usually the beginning of a loose nail (onycholysis). The cavity that forms under a loose nail plate is often the forerunner of a fungus infection under the nail. Diabetics are very prone to fungus infections, so a fungus infection under a loose nail should be regarded as a strong indication of possible diabetes.
Many things may cause onycholysis. Some of the most common causes are:
- Minor trauma such as repetitive pressure on the nails, nail biting, long-distance running or other damage caused by shoes
- Overzealous manicuring, cleaning and incorrect use of cosmetics, or a contact allergy to nail glue
- Fungal, yeast, bacterial or viral skin infections
- Drugs such as tetracyclines, psoralens, fluoroquinolone antibiotics or oral contraceptives
- Skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, porphyria and others
- Internal diseases affecting circulation, sugar levels, thyroid levels etc.
- Some anti-cancer treatments
- Many other nail conditions that cause separation from the nail bed
Treatment of loose nails (onycholysis)
A loose nail is partly detached from the nail bed. It is usually painless as the separation occurs gradually.
The cavity that forms under a loose nail plate is warm and often damp, making it ideal for fungal growth. Only a laboratory test can determine whether the nail is fungus infected or not. This test is an unnecessary expense because whether you have a fungal infection under a loose nail or not, you can easily treat it successfully without spending a fortune if you do it right and soon enough.
Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. Start by eliminating the less serious causes of the nail damage, such as minor trauma or incorrect manicuring.
We recommend Fix-4-Nails® – a fungistatic product that effectively inhibits T. Rubrum, the most common fungus in nail infections. It is different from fungicidal anti-fungal treatments because not only does it stop the fungus, it also has a keratin-softening action that softens the hardened nail bed. This dual action is crucial for the healthy regrowth of any loose nail.
The successful restoration of loose and fungus-damaged nails with this formula has been proven over many decades.
Eliminating minor causes
1. If you see visible improvement after one month of treatment, it’s probably just a loose nail, (with or without a fungus infection) caused by minor trauma. Fix-4-Nails® will be sufficient to restore the nail by natural regrowth.
This does not rule out the possibility of an underlying cause such as diabetes, so do keep your doctor informed of any further changes in your nails. If the condition worsens or reappears, let him/her attend to it.
2. If your nails show no improvement with Fix-4-Nails®, there is probably an underlying cause and you should consult your doctor.
Whatever the cause of your nail’s condition, once diagnosed and treated, your loose and/or fungus-damaged nails still need to regrow. Use Fix-4-Nails® along with other treatments until the nail is fully regrown, because the loosened section will never reattach to the nail bed. For fingernails, this takes 4-6 months and toenails up to 12 months.
If you require more information,read our frequently asked questions or contact us.
Contact us
For more information or any question not answered in our Q and A page please leave us a message and we will return to you ASAP.
- Office number: +27 (0) 861 999 907
- Fax number: +27 (0) 866 352 998
- Email address: info@fix-4-nails.co.za
- Fix-4-Nails®
