Nail clubbing is when your nails appear wider, spongelike or swollen, like an upside-down spoon. Clubbed nails are often a sign of a health condition that needs treatment, such as lung cancer. Treating the underlying condition may help nails return to normal.
Nail clubbing is a change in the appearance and structure of your fingernails or toenails that can occur as a symptom of an underlying health condition. If you have nail clubbing, your nails may:
Nail clubbing can affect a few of your nails or all of them. Often, it starts in your thumb and forefinger (pointer finger) before spreading to other nails.
Toe And Finger Clubbing (causes, Symptoms And Treatment)
Nail clubbing often occurs gradually and may be hard to spot at first. In the early stages, you may notice any of the following:
Nail clubbing is most often associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, like lung cancer, lung infections, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis or cardiovascular disease.
Nail clubbing itself isn’t harmful and usually isn’t painful. Sometimes, nail clubbing occurs in a healthy person without an obvious reason. However, it’s often a sign of a serious health condition that needs medical care, so don’t wait to get it evaluated by a healthcare provider.
What Precautions Am I Supposed To Take After Knowing That I Have Clubbed Nails?
Because nail clubbing is usually a sign of an underlying health condition, providers typically direct treatment at the underlying cause. For example, your treatment plan may include:
There’s no known way to prevent nail clubbing. But you can prevent some of the conditions that lead to nail clubbing by doing the following:
If you notice nail clubbing or any changes in your nails, see a healthcare provider. Nail clubbing may be a sign of a health condition that needs treatment.
Things Your Nails Could Be Telling You About Your Health
The health and appearance of your nails are a window into your overall health. See a healthcare provider if you notice any nail changes. Getting treatment for the underlying cause of nail clubbing can help you live your healthiest life possible.
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These changes can develop in a matter of weeks or years, depending on the cause. They can be the result a variety of underlying medical conditions, many of which are serious. If you develop clubbing of your fingers or toes, make an appointment with your doctor.
My Nails Have Been Swollen My Whole Life & My Girlfriend Tells Me Thats Not Normal. Who Should I Go See? What Is Wrong With My Nails?
It’s not completely understood why clubbing occurs, but certain conditions are known to activate components in the bloodstream. This activation plays a role in changing the nail bed.
Nail widening that characterizes clubbing happens when the tissue under your nail plate becomes thicker. This can be triggered by a number of conditions throughout the body. For example, clubbing often results from lung issues, such as:
To treat clubbing, your doctor will need to address the underlying cause of your symptoms. Your recommended treatment plan will depend on your diagnosis. For example, your doctor may prescribe:
Curved Nails: Causes Of Spoon Nails And Curved Tips And Sides
The only way to prevent clubbing is by taking steps to prevent and manage the underlying conditions that cause it. For example, you can:
If you’ve been diagnosed with a lung disease, follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan, which may help you maintain your blood oxygen levels and prevent clubbing.
Most of the underlying conditions that cause clubbing are serious. Early diagnosis and treatment may improve your outlook. Talk with your doctor if you notice any signs of clubbing of your toes or fingers.
Evaluation Of Nail Abnormalities
Typically, treatment and management of clubbing is focused on treating the underlying condition. The more serious or farther along the underlying condition, the harder it may be to reverse clubbing of the fingers.
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