Although they usually appear due to contusions or as a consequence of some deficit of nutrients, the marks on the nails can also be indicative of more important problems.
We all want to have strong and beautiful nails that do not break easily. The problem is that, sometimes, spots or signs appear that not only worsen their appearance, but are a symptom of some imbalance in our body.
However, most of the time the nails alter their appearance for banal reasons such as trauma. Discover in this article, what is the meaning of the lines that appear on the nails? and how to eliminate them naturally.
Lines in the nails
The white lines, more or less thick, that appear horizontally in the nails can have different causes. The most common are the following:
Serious illness with high fever
Infectious processes of greater complexity, for example, a flu or a cold, which also have a high fever, may be responsible for the appearance of horizontal lines on the nails months after the illness.
We speak for example of pneumonia or scarlet fever. In this case the affectation appears in several nails at the same time because the organism has given priority to the cure of the pathology instead of continuing with the normal growth of the nails.
In this case no treatment will be necessary, but the lines will disappear as we recover.
Diabetes
The lines on the nails can be related to untreated diabetes. If we have a family history of this disease and / or suffer characteristic symptoms of it, the first step will be to go to our doctor to carry out the relevant tests and obtain a safe diagnosis.
Psoriasis
This skin disorder that causes peeling and inflammation affects different parts of our body, including the nails, in which it can cause horizontal lines.
People who suffer from this disease can feel a lot of anguish. The itching and pain can be very overwhelming.
Although, in theory, psoriasis has no cure, many people have noticed a great improvement opting for a more balanced and healthy diet.
It is recommended to include fresh and natural foods with low sugar content and avoid refined elements or harmful fats.
Circulatory disorders
The lines in the nails can be caused by inadequate circulation of blood at the level of the legs. Some symptoms of this are the feeling of heaviness for several hours, or the presence of varicose veins.
The appearance of alterations in the nails for these causes may indicate that there is not enough blood supply to the feet, so it is important to consult a medical professional.
Some treatments that can be done to improve circulation are:
- Lead an active life and avoid standing still for several hours at a time.
- Have a healthy and complete diet in which it is advisable to include red foods (tomato, red fruits, cayenne, etc.).
- Apply cold water in the area of the legs in the shower.
- Massage the legs with essential oils (rosemary, cypress, witch hazel).
Zinc deficit
The zinc is an essential trace element for many functions of our body and also to have a strong and healthy nails.
Its deficiency can cause the appearance of spots or horizontal lines. If the results of the medical tests show the lack, it may be advisable to increase their consumption, as we have seen that there are more causes of these spots or lines on the nails.
We can take zinc as a supplement or consume it with food:
- Cocoa powder.
- Dry watermelon seeds.
- Meats
- Oysters
- Peanut
- Sesame
- Pumpkin (and its seeds).
- Butter
Aging
The most frequent explanation of the vertical lines in the nails is the inevitable aging, but with a good diet rich in antioxidants we can delay the deterioration caused by free radicals, both externally and internally.
These are some of the most antioxidant foods:
- Cocoa
- Garlic and onion.
- Avocado
- Tomato
- Lemon
- Broccoli
- Turmeric
- Grape
- Green Tea.
- Nuts
- Apple
- Pepper
Vitamin B12 deficiency
In some cases, the appearance of the lines may be related to a lack of vitamin B12, that is, with a pernicious anemia.
It is important to establish a medical diagnosis of the cause of this vitamin deficiency because it can be due to a strict vegan diet (which can be improved with supplements) or a poor assimilation of this nutrient by more serious intestinal diseases.
We find good sources of vitamin B12 in the following foods:
- Eggs
- Meat
- Seafood
- Dairy products.
- Spirulina
- Beer yeast.
Magnesium deficiency
The lack of magnesium can also cause the appearance of these lines. Some foods rich in magnesium are:
- Green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli, kale …).
- Cocoa powder.
- Nuts
- Fatty fish
- Avocados
Sometimes it is necessary to opt for a magnesium supplement. The most common are chloride (excellent to combat constipation) and citrate (more suitable if we suffer gastric acidity).
Conclusion
In short, the appearance of our nails can reflect our state of health, allowing us to detect more serious problems than the mere alteration of their appearance, so it is important to pay attention to them. Within what can be done to foresee their alterations is avoiding beatings and leading a healthy lifestyle. If you have doubts, it is best to consult a medical professional.
