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Question
Hi can i ask a question about having white finger nails?
Submitted: 32 days and 22 hours ago.
Category: Health
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Gender: Male
Age: 26
Already Tried:
Nothing
Posted by
Dr Anil Kumar
32 days and 22 hours ago.
Answer
Hello,
White fingernails can be resulted due to following factors -
Iron deficiency anemia
where the entire nail bed is white in color (most common cause )
Kidney or liver disease
Diabetes
If your nail beds appear white and pale in coloryou need to undergo a Complete Blood Count , kidney function test , liver enzymes, and blood sugar for further evaluation .
If the cause is iron deficiency anemia, this can usually be corrected with dietary changes and iron supplementation.
I suggest you to consult your regular doctor for further evaluation and management.
I hope this helps.
32 days and 22 hours ago.
Reply
Hi,
I have had this since my mid teens. I did talk to my doctor who sent me for a blood test which was ok and it was never followed up.
It was only lately when a relative noticed my nails and said I should get it checked out. When I googled the symptoms I came across pictures of terry's nails which matched my nails exactly.
The symptoms looked scary but I have felt fine and never had to go the doctor. Maybe that is why I never followed it up because I have never had any medical problems or been on any medication?
Can it just be a false alarm?
Posted by
Dr Anil Kumar
32 days and 22 hours ago.
Answer
Hello,
As such white nails can be due to anemia, liver /kidney disease , Zinc deficiency .
As you have undergone blood work and your results were normal so it can be due to zinc deficiency at all.
A diet rich in zinc such as green leafy vegetables and whole grain nuts or zinc supplements should be administered.
Apart from this, Terry's nails frequently occurs in hepatic failure, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, and/or malnutrition which is less likely in your case.
Don't bite your fingernails, cut off cuticles, or scrape your nails.
I hope this helps.
32 days and 22 hours ago.
Reply
Thanks,
So if I had either hepatic failure, cirrhosis etc...I would have felt the symptoms and would probably known about it? That as you can imagine in my major concern.
I will get some zinc supplements and sort out my diet. If so how long do you think it would take for the white to disappear? All the nails on my hands and feet have this.
Also what symptoms are there for kidney/liver disease that I may or may not notice straight away?
Accepted Answer
Hello,
Liver disease (Hepatic failure , cirrhosis ) can result in jaundice, pain in right upper abdomen , bloating , liver enlargement .
For further reading-
http://www.umm.edu/liver/common.htm
Common symptoms of kidney disease include -tiredness , swelling on feet and around eyes,anemia, vomiting,blood in urine .
For further reading -
http://www.lifeoptions.org/kidneyinfo/ckdinfo.php?page=4
Zinc is relatively safe and non-toxic so sensible levels of supplementation should do you no harm.
I would advise 20-40mg of elemental zinc a day (available from chemists as zinc sulphate). It it may take several weeks before any improvement is seen.
Apart from this you need to undergo a physical examination by a doctor for further evaluation and management.
For further reading-
ht
tp://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/FactSheets/Zinc.asp
I suggest you to consult a dermatologist for further evaluation and management.
Expert:
Dr Anil Kumar
Pos. Feedback:
98.6 %
Accepts:
Answered:
10/21/2009
General Physician
M.B.B.S ( Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery )
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