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Terry's nails: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and, Treatment

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Terry's nails: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and, Treatment

Terry's nail syndrome

What do Terry's nails mean?

The name "Terry's nails" comes from the person who discovered this problem, Dr. Richard Terry. He was the first to notice and describe these abnormal nails in people with cirrhosis.

Terry's nails are a nail problem that is easily identified by their specific appearance. It makes the nails look like a trampled glass, while the crescent-shaped area of the base, medically called the lunula, becomes invisible. This condition is not very underdeveloped, but doctors suspect it is a side effect of other diseases that cause more connective tissue in the nail vessels and less vascular lightly.

terry's-nails

This condition is associated with very serious diseases such as liver failure, cirrhosis, heart failure, hyperthyroidism, severe malnutrition or diabetes. It is more common in patients with severe liver disease and about half of them also have Terry's nails. It may also look like a brown arch at the tip of the nails and is common in people with heart or kidney failure. Since this condition has specific symptoms and is easy to diagnose, it is a useful warning sign that one of these dangerous diseases is coming.

Terry's nail is one of the most characteristic nail problems and is easy to diagnose. Its symptoms are very concrete: the nails become opaque and a dark arch or stripe appears near their top. It is usually a sign of a very serious disease, such as liver failure, diabetes, malnutrition, or heart failure. As these diseases usually affect older people, Terry's nail is rare in young people.

Severe liver disease is very likely to cause Terry's nails as a side effect. This condition also occurs with severe malnutrition, which of course leads to many other health problems.

Nails are not only a direct reflection of the health of the body but are also very important for aesthetic reasons. Females in particular are very focused on nails and try to keep them for as long as possible. Others tend to neglect and ignore their nails, which is not a good idea. Abnormal nails are often a sign of very serious diseases.

Nails are actually made up of proteins with fibrous structures and are usually light pink with a semi-transparent appearance. Healthy nails are very durable and have a white area at the top. If nails start to collapse for no reason, this usually indicates a lack of vitamins or minerals in your diet. Terry's nail makes them white and opaque. It is only one of many possible nail cases, easily identifiable due to very specific symptoms.

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Are Terry's nails serious?

Terry's Nails causes

White nails are thought to occur when there are fewer blood vessels and connective tissues in the nail bed than normal, giving the nails a white appearance.

Although Terry's nails are not dangerous, they should be evaluated by a doctor as they can be a sign of a more serious problem and can be linked to a number of health problems.

This condition is more common in people with liver disease and cirrhosis or scar tissue formation in the liver. In 1954, Richard Terry found that 82 consecutive out of 100 patients with cirrhosis had white nails.

It can also be combined with several other modes, including:

    • peripheral vascular disease
    • chronic kidney failure
    • type 2 diabetes
    • HIV
    • congestive heart failure
    • skin conditions like vitiligo or tuberculoid leprosy
    • viral hepatitis

In addition, Terry's nails can also appear naturally with age, even if you don't have other health problems.

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Terry's Nails Symptoms

Terry's Nails presented a matte white spot on the nail in patients with cirrhosis. In most cases, the nails are matte and white, matting the lune. The color change stops suddenly at a distance of 1–2 mm from the distal edge of the nail, leaving a pink or brown area 0.5–3.0 mm wide, which is not obscured by venous congestion and corresponds to the Ichocorneal strip.

terry's-nails

These lines are parallel to the distal portion of the nail bed and may be irregular. The disease affects all nails equally. Holzberg and Walker have made adjustments to the definition of Terry's nails.

They found that the distal brown streak was four times more common than the normal pink streak described by Terry. The proximal nail bed in 25% of patients was pale pink, not white, with a worn dullness.

Nail abnormality is associated with cirrhosis. In addition, Terry's nails were associated with chronic congestive heart failure, adult diabetes mellitus, and age.

The nail plate rests on the nail bed and grows due to the proliferation of epithelial cells of the matrix onychoblasts. The nail matrix is a section of the epithelium of the nail bed located under the lunule (a white strip of a semilunar shape) and the root of the nail. The border of the matrix is located 7-8 mm proximal to the posterior nail roller. The nail bed is rich in blood vessels, which gives the nail a characteristic pink color.

terry's-nails-symptoms

The nail plate is bounded on three sides by nail rollers (rear and side). The stratum corneum of the epidermis of the posterior nail roller forms the eponychium - the supra-nail plate, which closes access to the root of the nail

Knowing the symptoms of Terry's nails can be very helpful, as it will help you diagnose this condition yourself. It is very useful because this condition is related to other very dangerous diseases. If you think you may have Terry's nails, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

The most important symptom is an abnormal appearance of the nail, which becomes opaque. They have an unhealthy appearance, similar to that of an elderly person. The skin around the nails may wrinkle and the flesh around it may crack. Nails can lose their color and become opaque. In some cases, nails develop bumps and ridges or have a strange glow.

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Can Terry's nails go away?

Terry's Nails Diagnosis

terry's-nails

When examining a patient, the doctor rarely pays attention to his nails. Meanwhile, characteristic changes in nails can help in the diagnosis of many diseases of internal organs.

This is a condition where the nails look like frosted white glass with a dark strip at the tip where the plate separates from the skin. Sometimes this picture develops in older people and is not a sign of illness. But we must not forget that Terry's nails can also be a sign of one of several serious medical conditions.

These include:

  • Heart failure.
  • Liver disease (including cirrhosis).
  • Severe eating disorders are associated with severe diseases of the small intestine; and some psychiatric eating disorders.

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Lunula nails: What does it mean when you have no Lunula

Terry's Nails Treatment

One of the easiest things to do to protect nails is to keep them dry and clean. After showering or bathing, be sure to dry your fingernails and toenails with a towel. Avoid bad habits that damage nails, such as teething or rubbing. Some of these habits can be very difficult to eliminate, but you can ask your doctor for advice. It is also important to moisturize nails and nails properly every day.

Vitamin E is known to increase nail strength. You can apply it externally every day if you want a good structure. If nail problems persist after all these steps, you should consult a doctor, as Terry's nails can be a sign of a dangerous disease. Podiatrists are doctors of the feet and can contact one of them if the toenails are affected.

Terry's nails are usually caused by inadequate nutrition. Like other parts of the body, nails need a reasonable amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to stay healthy. Nails need high-quality protein and some minerals and vitamins. Terry's nails can also be the result of various bad habits, such as biting his nails or pinching them. Dirty nails that are not cleaned properly are more susceptible to various problems.

Another good option for a healthy diet is spinach. This green leafy vegetable provides numerous nutrients. It has a high content of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant capable of fighting dangerous free radicals and protecting our body from damage. According to some studies, eating mustard greens can also be helpful in treating Terry's nails. They can be consumed as a garnish or as an ingredient in curry.

If you notice something wrong with your nails, you should see a doctor immediately. Terry's nails can indicate a number of serious illnesses and your doctor should be able to diagnose them immediately.

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