Do you know that your fingernails are one of the simplest ways to see that you are healthy? Yes, your fingernails can give details about your health condition. Likewise, our fingernails are also very important in our day-to-day activities. For example, our nails help us scratch, separate, untie a knot, and grip things. Unfortunately, however, most of us are not paying attention to the language of our nails.
Notably, fingernails develop deformations and Beau’s lines are one of them. Beau’s lines also indicate the health condition of an individual. However, the cause of Beau’s lines varies, and this is why many are asking ‘Can Fake Nails Cause Beau’s Lines?’
Yes, fake nails can also cause Beau’s lines. However, the causes of Beau’s lines can be influenced by external and internal factors. Meanwhile, getting a manicure is one of the factors that can cause Beau’s lines. However, you can’t easily conclude that the cause of Beau’s lines is fake nails because many factors influence them.
This blog post will show you some other factors that can influence Beau’s lines. Firstly, let’s check how fake nails can cause Beau’s lines on your fingernails.
What are Beau’s Lines on Nails?
Beau’s lines are thick grooved patterns on the toenail or the fingernail that run across it. They may appear as ridges or indentations in the nail plate. Likewise, Beau’s lines form when there is obstruction around the nail bed – where the nail gains nutrients. Illness and injury are part of the possible causes of the obstruction.
The flow of Beau’s lines can give you the cause readily in some cases. However, Beau’s lines are most likely caused by persistent injury when more than one line appears on only one nail. In this case, infection on the nail bed of that nail can also cause Beau’s lines.
However, the case tends to be different when Beau’s lines affect more than one nail. The cause of this kind of infection can be a severe disease or a systematic illness. Many factors can cause Beau’s lines apart from fake nails. You will learn more about the causes of Beau’s lines as you read further.
How Can Fake Nails Cause Beau’s Lines?
Beau’s lines are parallel lines that run all over the nails. The major cause of Beau’s lines is the obstruction to the area where the nail growth starts. Beau’s lines are a series of grooves on his nails.
When the region’s development under the cuticle is disrupted by severe infections or injury, indentations might form. Nails, like the other parts of the body tissues, need nutrients to function well, most especially oxygen. Making a fake nail can interfere and cause a reduction in oxygen flow.
1. Injury caused during Manicure
Injury caused during a Manicure can affect the nails’ growth, which might lead to Beau’s lines on the nails. In addition, any damage caused on the nail bed can affect the number of nutrients that will reach the nails, causing Beau’s lines.
This might only reflect on a single fingernail out of the ten fingernails. If this happens on all the fingernails, you must contact your physician to verify the cause.
Treatment
If your Beau’s lines were caused by a manicure injury, all you need to do is take off the fake nails. Fingernails naturally grow. So, each time you notice Beau’s lines, remove the artificial nails until the lines clear out.
Human nails grow, and they completely take off the old ones within six months. So give your nails some break and allow Beau’s lines to be replaced by another growing nail.
What are the Common Causes of Beau’s Lines?
There are many causes of Beau’s lines, and this is why you can’t readily determine that fake nails caused it. Likewise,
Beau’s lines can reflect more than one cause. Hence, you must visit the doctor in some cases. The causes of Beau’s lines can either be influenced by external or internal factors.
Some of the external factors are:
- performing a manicure
- scratching at the cuticles or nails
- contacting an infection on the nail’s edge
Some of the internal factors are:
- Zinc deficiency
- Diabetes
- Pneumonia
- Acute Kidney Failure
- Scarlet fever
The most common cause of Beau’s lines is Zinc deficiency.
The Effect of Zinc Deficiency on the Nail
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for human metabolism. It controls gene expression, allows protein building, and catalyzes enzymes in the body. Also, Zinc helps proteins develop and stay robust in the body.
The deficiency of Zinc in the body is one of the most known causes of Beau’s lines. However, there are other ways that Zinc affects the nails apart from Beau’s lines. These include Brittle nails, Onychorrhexis, Muehrcke’s lines, Cuticle inflammation and paronychia, and Leukonychia.
Likewise, anyone lacking Zinc will experience the following:
- immune system dysfunction
- a decrease in appetite
- development and growth become slow
Zinc is a nutrient that may be found in various foods, including beans and oysters. Therefore, zinc deficiency may be caused by a poor diet or different other circumstances.
Treatment for Zinc Deficiency
You can treat zinc deficiency when you notice that your nail abnormalities are caused by a lack of Zinc in your diet. You can quickly boost the level of Zinc in your body system by taking more foods that are rich in Zinc. Some of them are:
- oysters
- dairy products
- nuts
- fortified breakfast cereals
- lobster
- crab
- red meat
- poultry
- whole grains
Likewise, Zinc supplements also exist, whereby an individual consumes too much Zinc. Using an overdose of Zinc is also prohibited unless directed otherwise by the doctor. There are complications to too much Zinc in the body system. The symptoms are:
- headache
- diarrhea
- appetite loss
- abdominal pain
- nausea
What are the Common Problems Attached to Fake Nails?
The following are some of the common problems attached to fake nails:
1. Bacterial Infection
By bumping or grabbing a fake nail, you might dislodge it from the nail bed. In addition, the infection may grow in the space between the two nails, mainly if the fake nail is not thoroughly cleaned before it is reglued.
Symptoms of Bacterial Infection
There are different symptoms associated with Bacterial Infection. They include:
- In or around the region, there is warmth, redness, increased pain, and/or swelling.
- The location is surrounded by red streaks.
- The region is dripping with pus.
- There’s a fever.
2. Fungal Nail Infection
When moisture develops beneath acrylic nails, fungal nail infections might happen. It’s more prevalent among those who have their nails on for three months or more. This infection may also occur if the fake nail is reinstalled before the space is cleaned.
Symptoms of Fungal Nail Infection
There are different symptoms associated with Fungal Nail Infection. They include:
- Thickened nails.
- The nails decolorize, ranging from whitish to yellow-brown.
- The nails turned ragged, Brittle, or crumbly.
- The nails give a distorted shape.
- Dirt and other things build up under your nails, giving them a dark color.
- Nails give foul smells.
In some cases, nail fungus can spread to fingernails. However, this is more common in the toenails.
3. Fake Nail Chemical Reaction
The nails give an allergic response to the fake nail materials used to attach them. Redness, swelling, and itching may appear around the nail. The natural nail may detach from the nail bed due to the response.
How to Prevent Common Problems attached to Fake Nails
It is common for people are fond of fake nails. However, you can always afford the complications that emerge from using them. Here are some suggestions for avoiding difficulties with fake nails.
1. By applying just one fake nail, you may see whether you have a response to it. Wait a few days to check whether there is any rash, redness, soreness, or itching along or beneath the nail or if the nail separates from the nail bed. If it develops with no problem, you can fully apply it to all your fingers.
2. If the skin or the nail surrounding seems inflamed or infected, don’t use a fake nail.
3. If your fingertip separates from the nail bed, soak it in rubbing alcohol for fifteen seconds. Hence, the space between the nails will be cleaned due to this. The fake nail can then be reattached.
4. Fake nails should not be used for more than three months at a time. Allow a month for your natural nails to grow before reinserting the fake nails.
Other Nail Health Tips for Healthier Nails
To help sustain the health of your nails, you can do the following:
Make sure to stay hydrated
- Avoid picking or biting at the nails
- Always trim the nails
- Make use of rubber gloves to wash or clean the dishes.
- Try to avoid utilizing nail polish and its remover
- Constantly applying moisture to the feet and hands
- Try to avoid wearing fake nails
What are Fake Nails?
Fake nails, otherwise known as artificial nails, nail extensions, acrylic nails, false nails, nail enhancements, or fashion nails, are fashion items that are applied over fingernails. Many fake nail designs try to imitate the look and shape of natural fingernails as similarly as possible, whereas others deviate from the norm for a more creative appeal.
Can Beau's lines be harmless?
Beau's lines are straight and run across the hairline; they are not to be mistaken for vertical ridges that run from the nail's bottom (cuticle) to the fingertip. Vertical lines are a common side effect of aging and are completely safe.
Do Beau's lines grow out?
Beau's lines aren't treated in any way; they usually fade away on their own. It's typical to come across them. They will disappear if the underlying causes are addressed.
Conclusion
Fake nails can cause Beau’s lines, though this is not common. However, the essential part of it is to take care of the cause of the nail’s abnormality.
Beau’s lines always reveal the present condition of a body system. So, pay attention to it and check for any abnormality in the body system. Mentioned above are some of the tips to keep your nails healthy. You can always keep your nails healthy when you make the right choice!
