La onicorrexis y su impacto en la salud de las uñas

Have you ever noticed vertical groves running up your nails? It’s not just a cosmetic concern; it could be a sign of onychorrhexis. Let’s unpack what this condition really means for your nail health.

What Exactly Is Onychorrhexis? It’s a fancy word for nail groves

Onychorrhexis – visible ridges in the nail plate

Onychorrhexis, from the Greek words “ónycho-” meaning nail and “rhexis” meaning bursting, is a condition characterized by longitudinal ridging or brittleness of the nails. It often appears as grooved lines that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Sounds technical, right? Simply put, it’s when your nails get these vertical lines that can feel a bit rough when you run your finger over them.

Causas comunes: ¿Por qué mis uñas tienen este aspecto?

The causes of onychorrhexis can vary widely—from the way you treat your nails to your overall health. It’s often seen in:

Envejecimiento: Al igual que el resto de nuestro cuerpo, las uñas cambian a medida que envejecemos.
Enfermedades: Various diseases like hypothyroidism, eczema, and even rheumatoid arthritis can manifest symptoms in your nails.
Deficiencias nutricionales: Lacking iron, protein, or folic acid? Your nails might show it.

¿Cuándo hay que preocuparse por los surcos ungueales (onicorrexis)?)?

Most of the time, those lines on your nails are more of an annoyance than a serious problem. But hey, what if your nails start to split or they become unusually brittle? That’s when you might want to pay a bit more attention.

Crestas en una placa de clavos con algo de "reborde", pero la placa de clavos está intacta.

Estas uñas pueden cubrirse con un producto semipermanente para uñas artificiales si se vigila cualquier posible infección.

Placas de clavos con reborde abierto

Beaded ridges can break open and cause the nail plate to unravel – these nail plates need to be improved before applying any or all artificial nail products.

Remedios caseros sencillos: ¿Puedo arreglar esto en el fregadero de mi cocina?

Absolutely! You don’t always need a doctor’s appointment to take care of your nails. Here are a few DIY tips:

Hidratar: Apply natural oils like vitamin E or olive oil to your nails and the surrounding skin, finish with lotion or crème depending on your personal preference.
Protege tus uñas: Wearing gloves while cleaning dishes or using harsh chemicals will shield your nails from damage.
Recortar regularmente: Mantener las uñas cortas puede evitar que se enganchen y desgarren.
Presta atención a tu dieta: Nails and skin are produced by your body 24/7 the food you eat is turned into nourishing ingredients that feed your nail matrix and skin so they can keep working to produce more cells and drink plenty of water.

Buscar ayuda profesional para los problemas de uñas resistentes

Sometimes, simple home care isn’t enough. If you’ve tried improving your diet and being gentler on your hands but your nails still look like they’ve been through a paper shredder, it might be time to consult a healthcare professional. They can offer treatments that may address the underlying causes of onychorrhexis, such as adjusting your medications if you have a chronic condition.

If your nail ridges are being caused by the simple but irritating process of aging, only good nail & skin care maintenance will make a difference but perfection is no longer possible but there are professional nail products out there that can really make a difference. IBX from Famous Names Products is one of them as it works IN the nail plate as opposed to on the nail plate without compromising flexibility but improving it – nail plates that are no longer brittle will not split or shatter.

Para llevar: Una señal para prestar atención

Whether it’s a minor nutritional mishap or a symptom of a more significant health condition, your nails are telling you something about your body.

Papel de los profesionales de las uñas en el tratamiento de la onicorrexis

Nail professionals play a crucial role in the early detection and management of onychorrhexis. While they are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose conditions, their close observation and familiarity with client nails can be invaluable. They should be on the lookout for unusual changes such as increased brittleness, significant ridging, or changes in nail color or texture. It’s important for nail technicians to educate their clients on maintaining healthy nails and recommend they seek medical advice when persistent changes are observed. A good nail professional with sufficient knowledge of the nail and the nail unit will choose the right product for the client with ridged or beaded ridge nail plates. Furthermore, professionals can advise on protective measures during manicures and pedicures to prevent exacerbation of existing nail conditions, ensuring clients’ nails are not only beautiful but also healthy.

Por qué limar los surcos de las uñas puede hacer más mal que bien

Filing down nail ridges might seem like a quick fix to smooth uneven nails, but it’s generally advised against for several important reasons:

La parte superior de la cresta es la parte más fuerte de la placa ungueal, la parte más débil de la placa ungueal se ha colapsado y ha creado los surcos.

Adelgazamiento de la uña: El limado de las crestas adelgaza considerablemente la lámina ungueal. Este debilitamiento hará que tus uñas sean más propensas a romperse, partirse y sufrir más daños, lo que empeorará el problema en lugar de solucionarlo.
Damage to the Nail Bed: El limado agresivo puede dañar gravemente las estructuras subyacentes de la uña, incluido el lecho ungueal y (posiblemente la) matriz. Esto interferirá en el crecimiento de la uña y puede provocar deformidades permanentes de la uña.
Mayor susceptibilidad a las infecciones: Adelgazamiento de las uñas con una mano o efile makes them more vulnerable to infections. The thinner and weaker the nail, the easier it is for bacteria and fungi to penetrate, potentially leading to nail infections that are unsightly & more difficult to treat.

White Superficial Onychomycosis in ridged nail plates after removal of soak off product.

Eliminación de la protección natural: Nail ridges, while often unsightly, are part of the nail’s natural structure. They can sometimes serve as a barrier to minor impacts and abrasions. Removing them reduces this natural protective layer.
Enmascarar afecciones subyacentes: Las crestas pueden ser un signo de problemas de salud, como deficiencias nutricionales o enfermedades sistémicas. Si las limas, puedes estar ocultando un síntoma que podría ser importante para un profesional sanitario a la hora de diagnosticar y tratar la enfermedad subyacente.

For these reasons, it’s typically better to address nail ridges with more nurturing treatments like hydrating and strengthening the nails using a professional nail product like IBX that works IN the nail plate along with oils, lotions & creams.

Mejora los daños y estrías de las uñas

If the nail structure is not open, using an artificial nail product to even out the nails is a possibility. Take care to use one that can be filled as opposed to a bi-weekly soak off product as this will prevent accidental damage to the ridges during removal, maintaining a stable foundation for the nail product, acryl L&P is ideal as this can not only be filled monthly but can also be soaked off if there are any signs of a problem in the nail plate.

Si las crestas de las uñas son motivo de preocupación, es aconsejable consultar a un profesional sanitario para descartar o tratar cualquier posible problema de salud subyacente.

¿Por qué debe preocuparse por la salud de las uñas?

Piénsalo, nuestras uñas no están ahí sólo de adorno (o para abrir latas de refresco). Nos protegen las yemas de los dedos, nos ayudan a coger objetos pequeños e incluso pueden actuar como indicadores de salud. Por eso, mantenerlas en buen estado no sólo ayuda a que nuestra manicura luzca bien.

So next time you notice something off with your nails, don’t just brush it off. Investigate into what your body might be trying to tell you.