What Your Fingernails Say About Your Hidden Health Issues

6.Detached Nails

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Onycholysis is the medical term for nails separating from the nail bed, creating a gap between the nail plate and the underlying tissue. This condition can be caused by certain medications, exposure to harsh chemicals or cleaning products, but sometimes it signals serious underlying health problems such as thyroid disorders, psoriasis, or other systemic conditions that affect nail attachment and growth. The condition usually starts at the tip of the nail and gradually moves toward the cuticle, creating an opaque, white, or yellowish area due to air trapped under the separated nail. Other potential causes include persistent fungal infections, physical trauma from injury or aggressive manicures, certain medications especially tetracycline antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, and autoimmune conditions that affect skin and nail health.

Frequent manicures involving aggressive cuticle manipulation, prolonged exposure to water or moisture, and repetitive trauma from activities or ill-fitting shoes can make the condition progressively worse and delay healing. Treatment depends on identifying and addressing the underlying cause but often involves keeping the affected nails completely dry and clean, avoiding activities that worsen the separation, trimming away the detached portion, and allowing the nail to grow out naturally over several months. For cases related to systemic diseases like thyroid problems or autoimmune conditions, treating the underlying medical condition with appropriate medications is absolutely key to preventing recurrence and promoting healthy nail regrowth.