Entendendo a onicorrexe e seu impacto na saúde das unhas

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 comuns: Por que minhas unhas estão assim?

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

Envelhecimento: Assim como o resto do corpo, as unhas mudam à medida que envelhecemos.
Condições médicas: Various diseases like hypothyroidism, eczema, and even rheumatoid arthritis can manifest symptoms in your nails.
Deficiências nutricionais: Lacking iron, protein, or folic acid? Your nails might show it.

Quando você deve se preocupar com os sulcos nas unhas (onicorrexe)?)?

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.

Ranhuras em uma placa de pregos com alguns "beading", mas a placa de pregos está intacta.

Essas unhas podem ser cobertas com um produto semipermanente para unhas artificiais se você ficar atento a possíveis infecções.

Placas de pregos de cumeeira com contas abertas

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.

Remédios caseiros simples: Posso consertar isso na pia da minha cozinha?

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.
Proteja suas unhas: Wearing gloves while cleaning dishes or using harsh chemicals will shield your nails from damage.
Aparar regularmente: Manter as unhas curtas pode evitar que elas se prendam e se rasguem.
Preste atenção em sua 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.

Buscando ajuda profissional para problemas de unhas 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.

O que levar: Um sinal para prestar atenção

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 dos profissionais de unhas no tratamento da onicorrexe

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 que lixar as cristas das unhas pode causar mais danos do que benefícios

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

A parte superior da crista é a parte mais forte da placa ungueal, a parte mais fraca da placa ungueal entrou em colapso e criou os sulcos.

Afinamento da unha: O lixamento das cristas afina significativamente a placa ungueal. Esse enfraquecimento tornará suas unhas mais propensas a quebrar, rachar e sofrer mais danos, o que piorará o problema em vez de resolvê-lo.
Damage to the Nail Bed: O lixamento agressivo pode danificar seriamente as estruturas subjacentes da unha, inclusive o leito ungueal e (possivelmente) a matriz. Isso interfere no crescimento da unha e pode levar a deformidades permanentes da unha.
Aumento da suscetibilidade à infecção: Afinamento das unhas com um arquivo manual ou eletrônico torna-as mais vulneráveis a infecções. Quanto mais fina e fraca for a unha, mais fácil será a penetração de bactérias e fungos, o que pode levar a infecções nas unhas que são inestéticas e mais difíceis de tratar.

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

Remoção da proteção 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.
Mascaramento de condições subjacentes: As cristas podem ser um sinal de problemas de saúde, como deficiências de nutrientes ou doenças sistêmicas. Ao descartá-las, você pode estar mascarando um sintoma que pode ser importante para o profissional de saúde observar ao diagnosticar e tratar a doença subjacente.

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.

Melhoria dos danos e sulcos nas unhas

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.

Se os sulcos nas unhas forem uma preocupação, é recomendável consultar um profissional de saúde para descartar ou tratar qualquer possível problema de saúde subjacente.

Por que você deve se preocupar com a saúde das unhas?

Pense bem, nossas unhas não estão lá apenas para decoração (ou para abrir latas de refrigerante). Elas protegem as pontas dos dedos, nos ajudam a pegar pequenos objetos e podem até funcionar como indicadores de saúde. Portanto, mantê-las em bom estado ajuda mais do que apenas a aparência de nossas manicures.

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.