Did you know that toenails that grow upwards can give you cues to your overall health? Yes, pictures of toenails that grow upwards can tell you more then thousands words. Some may notice changes in the shape, form, appearance of a white streak, or even bumps.
Your nails can point you to problems from your liver to your lungs and even the heart. What if your concern involves toenails that grow upwards? What does this signify? To know more, we will discuss the matter in detail in this write-up.
Table of Content
Why do I have toenails that grow upwards?
The nails have their natural growing forms. When they become longer, they tend to curl up. What are the reasons why there are toenails that grow upwards?
- Your toenails grow upwards due to their typical growth spurt.
- Your footwear may cause them to grow that way. The type of shoes that you may be wearing pushes the edge of your toenails.
- Sweating too much may trigger the case too.
- It may also be hereditary.
We already discussed the anatomy of the nails and the significance of the changes we see on it ripples an effect or signals us that something is wrong within our body. What might be the cause of your complaint? Why do you have toenails that grow upwards?
How to make your toenails grow downward is always an issue. However, When you have toenails that grow upwards, you may have the following issues:
Koilonychia
What can you observe if you have this infirmity? Koilonychia or ski-jump nails may appear as having a conclave-shaped nail. The condition is also known as spoon nails. The nails may become frail and thin. There will also be an indentation that is enough to hold a drop of a liquid.
Usually, koilonychia is a manifestation of IDA or iron deficiency anemia. It may also mean that you have a liver disease called hemochromatosis.
Hemochromatosis is a condition characterized by the absorption of too much iron from the meals you consume. Koilonychia also has a linkage with heart disease and hypothyroidism.
NPS or Nail Patella Syndrome
A condition that you may inherit or a genetic disorder. It occurs once in every 50,000 persons. If you have this illness, you may see changes in your patella, nails, elbows, and hips. Almost all people with the nail-patella syndrome have absent, undersized, stained, fragmented, or ridged nails.
The more prevalent occurrence is with the fingernails than the toenails. The thumbnails tend to be the most harshly impacted.
The typical manifestations of a person with NPS syndrome are
- Unusual fingernail morphology or fingernail anomaly.
- Aplasia or Hypoplasia of the patella or a missing or undeveloped kneecap.
- Concave or spoon-shaped nail.
- Cubitus valgus or the outward bent elbows.
- Exostoses or the development of new noncancerous bone on top of pre-existing bone.
- Ram’s horn nail. Also known as Onychogryphosis. It is a condition that usually affects the big toenail. When you have this, one set of toenails develops quickly and is bigger compared to the other.
Your nails may become yellowish, firm, and get on a veined, curve structure that hints and depicts a ram’s horns — hence the alias. It can occur in any course of life. However, older adults are particularly prone to it.
Any of the conditions may describe and explain why you have toenails that grow upwards. The question is, how to treat toenails that grow upwards? Often, our physical appearance ripples a great first impression. Our nails are a part of our integumentary systtention.
What can you do to fix or treat your toenails that grow upwards or fingernails?
Now you know what causes toenails to grow upwards. So, the next step is to treat it for good. Let me assure you that, it’s not a big deal to handle teh issue. If you ask your doctor how to fix toenails that grow upwards, they will come up with the following options.
Proper hygiene
Caring for your nail entails keeping them clipped and at an average length (not too short, not too long). Remember, having fragile nails may pose you to infections. Basic hygiene is very crucial.
- Clipping your nails must begin at the point where it grows upward. Keep your nails even, and cut them carefully or beyond without chipping the sides inward.
- Do not cut your nails if they are soft and wet, as they may become more marred and are frail at these times.
- Check your nails constantly or once per week.
- Rinse your feet using warm water and pat them dry. Fungal infections tend to grow in a moist environment so remember to keep your nails dry.
- Moisturized. Since nails are a part of the integument, it is best and wise to keep them highly moisturized. Use hand or foot creams after cleansing to keep your nails hydrated.
- Socks. If you use socks that are thick enough, it will prevent friction between the shoe and nails.
- Proper footwear size. Make sure you purchase or use footwear that fits you best. The tight-fitted shoes may impair or hurt you and your nails further.
Harsh substances
Be mindful of strong formulated cleansers and soaps. As your nails are more fragile, using mild ingredients will keep them strong.
Remember, some of the nail issues arise from fungal infections. Avoid sharing towels or cloths to avoid contracting such conditions. Avoid chipping into the edges of your nails.
Activity
Activity boosts our circulation, and our nails have a linkage to this. Poor circulation can trigger numerous complications like onychogryphosis. Form a habit of exercise or workout. You may try walking as it may create a lasting impact on your overall health, too.
If you already see changes in your nails, it is best not to ignore them. If you see any usual signs like spots, chipping, or unusual growths, address them immediately.
What does your nail say about your health?
The changes in our nails may follow many health conditions. Although, these variations are typically not the first sign. And numerous nail anomalies are harmless.
Our nails stem from a process that involves and links to the various systems in our body. What are the manifestations that you can observe, and what do they mean
Paleness
If you happen to notice paleness, you might have:
- Anemia
- CHF or Congestive heart failure
- A disease of the liver
- Lack of nutrition.
Nails that turned yellowish
If your nails are yellowish, you might have a fungal disease. Once the infection becomes worse, the nail bed may move up or tend to retract. Your nails may become thick but also crumble easily. In rare circumstances, yellow nails can mean a much more severe ailment. These may point to conditions like severe thyroid and lung disease, DM, or psoriasis.
Ridges in the nails
If you notice that the surface of your nail is curled or pitted, this may be an initial manifestation of psoriasis or even inflammatory arthropathy. You can typically see a discoloration of the nail, and the skin underneath the can appear reddish-brown.
Whitish nails
Does your nail appear whitish with darker rims? White nails may mean liver problems or hepatitis. Not everyone with white nails may have hepatitis. If you are worried about the condition of your nails, consult your physician or a dermatologist.
Fragile nails
Do you have dry, brittle nails that often crack or split? The fragility may have a linkage to thyroid disease. Breaking or splitting coupled with a yellowish tint can be due to a fungus. The process of how to get toenails to grow after fungus is almost the same treating regular upward toenails.
Aging and lack of nutrition can make your nails dry, weak, and may break easily. However, some medications and health conditions can also make them crumbly. With proper care, it can make an impact in keeping your nails strong and healthy.
I noticed that my child’s nails are turning blue. Why is that so?
Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn’t getting enough oxygen. This could indicate a lung problem, such as emphysema. Some heart problems can be associated with bluish nails.
If your baby’s baby toenails growing upwards with ablusih tint, its better to talk to the pediatrician.
Swollen nails
Does your nail look puffy or swollen with redness? You may have a case of swelling within your nail folds. It can also be due to a disease known as lupus. Or, it may be a disorder with your connective tissues. Furthermore, an infection may also trigger soreness and puffiness or inflammation on the nail folds.
A probable sign of skin cancer
Do you find or see any dark lines that lie beneath the nail? If you have such a complaint, have it checked with your physician right away. These occurrences might be due to melanoma, a critical kind of skin carcinoma.
Chipped nails
You might not notice some of your habits. Nail-biting may be one of them. Biting the nails may seem to be typical but, it is a manifestation of persistent anxiety. Anxiety requires treatment and medical attention, too. Picking or biting of nails and obsessive-compulsive disorder appears to have linkage, according to some studies. If you can’t stop, it’s worth discussing with your doctor.
Given the following conditions, which one is your concern? What if you are worried about having toenails that grow upwards? What does this entail?
Nail and its composition
If you examine every segment of the nail, you will conclude something. A sensitive interplay among vascular, melanocytes and regenerative compositions can quickly be upset by a shift in the system’s natural homeostasis.
Any variation can create a specific pattern of disturbance. An inflammation in paronychia or vascular alterations in collagen, vascular disease is evident in the nail fold where the dermis becomes thin.
Your nails structures have the following:
- The base or root of the nail. Also known as nail matrix. Nail matrix stems from a pouch beneath your skin. The nail matrix is responsible for creating new cells to trigger the growth.
- Nail plate. The part of the nail which you can see.
- Nail bed. The structure or skin beneath the plate.
- Lunula. The whitish, moon-shaped part at the base of the nail.
- Nail folds. These are tissues or skin that enclose or hold the nail matrix upon the root.
- Cuticle. The cuticle is a sheet of translucent skin positioned along with the base point.
What are the things that you have to know about nails?
- The nails give us aid in gripping onto tiny things.
- It serves as a protective layer covering the ends of our fingers.
- The nail base has flattened organisms, with closely placed, firmly joined plasma layers and a protein known as keratin. Keratin is the same protein content found in our hairs.
- Fingernails tend to grow quicker than your toenails. A thumbnail develops at a pace of around 0.1 mm each day. Meanwhile, your toenails can grow one-third to one-half as quickly.
FAQ
How to Cure Ski Jump Toenails and Fingernails?
Having ski-jump nails points to different conditions. However, this ailment does not heal on its own. How do you treat koilonychia?
If the condition is due to trauma, wait for your nail to grow out.
If this is due to your mannerisms, keep your nails short to avoid them. Find out what triggers your stress and manage them with techniques.
You may use nail polish or fake nails to cover it.
Watch what you eat. Your diet will impact your overall health, so it is best to consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals necessary. Hydration is vital, too. So, drink plenty of glasses of water daily.
Use moisturizers or creams. These will keep your nails hydrated.
How To Treat Curved Toenails
A curved toenail is popularly known as ingrown, can be effectively and permanently managed. There are various home care remedies that you can try and would get the nail to grow aligned and straight.
First, you must dip the feet in a blend of water and salt for around thirty minutes daily.
You may use a cotton ball and carefully push the skin apart from the nail. Stretch your nail up tenderly. Use antibiotic cream on the encircling skin to prevent infections.
Employ a nail brace to elevate your nails.
What Are Curved Toenails?
Curved toenails, sometimes known as claw nails, are characterized by an uncomfortable development of the toes into the outer skin rather than an outward and upward growth.
The toenail puts a lot of pressure on the surrounding skin that it grows inside, leading to an ingrown toenail. Curved toenails can be painful, notably if they are ingrown. Pain, inflammation, and swelling result from the nail embedded in the surface. If the condition remains unaddressed, it can rapidly get infected.
Why Pinky Toenails Grow Up, Not Out?
Having toenails that grow up may be awkward, especially when you prefer wearing sandals or slippers. But why do you have pinky toenails that grow upwards? The condition might be from a fungal infection, trauma. Or wearing footwear that is not your appropriate size, or there is a formation, or claw nails or curved toenails also known as, ingrown.
What Causes Weird Pinky Toenails?
You may have weird pinky toenails if there is a fungal infection. Or if you have toenails that keep on rubbing with each other. Lastly, ingrown may also be the cause.
Can Crooked Toenails Be Fixed?
Crooked nails or onychogryphosis may require surgery. Removing the nail with the help of your physician can help correct this condition. Eventually, growing the nail back may entail finding ways on how to cut and maintain them correctly.
Do I Have Ski Jump Toenails?
Koilonychia is a Greek term that means “hollow nail” and refers to ski jump pinky toenails. This is due to the nail growing oppositely. Rather than being convex and curved away from the nail bed, they are concave and curved towards it. Instead of growing directly ahead, the tip of a ski jump nail develops upwards.
The term ski jump comes from the fact that it resembles a little ski jump. Consider getting a manicure and having your artificial nails put on the other way around. That is how ski jump nails appear. The more you spread them apart, the taller it climbs. It’s nearly difficult to have long nails when they’re fashioned this way because they become brittle as they grow longer.
How to Fix Toenails That are Curling Upward?
How do you fix toenails that grow upwards? Cut your toenails properly with a sharp nail trimmer. Wear footwear that fits you best. Use socks that are thick enough to avoid friction among the toenails. Maintain proper hygiene. Use moisturizers and avoid sharing your personal belongings like cloth or towels.
Conclusion
Nails are a part of the integumentary system so, extra care like you do for hair and skin is also a must. The change in your nails often signifies that there is something wrong with your body. So, paying attention to the signs like spots, unusual growths, and shapes may point to a condition.
Remember to maintain proper hygiene and check your nails once in a little while, too. Commonly, home remedies help fix nail issues. But, if your symptoms progress and the changes accompany a health condition, consult your physician right away.
