Your nails can show signs of aging as you grow older. Like hair, nails change over time, due to disease, internal processes in the body as itages, nutritional deficiencies, or external factors like long-term exposure to chemicals or ultraviolet light. Over time, these changes affect growth rate, texture, thickness, shape or contour, and color.This article goes over some of thechanges you may observein aging nails, what causes them, and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Your nails can show signs of aging as you grow older. Like hair, nails change over time, due to disease, internal processes in the body as itages, nutritional deficiencies, or external factors like long-term exposure to chemicals or ultraviolet light. Over time, these changes affect growth rate, texture, thickness, shape or contour, and color.
This article goes over some of thechanges you may observein aging nails, what causes them, and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Growth Rate
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Nail growth slows slightly over time. The average growth rate is around 3mm per month, though anywhere between 1.8 mm and 4.5 mm is considered normal. Toenails grow about one-third to one-half as quickly as fingernails.
Nail TextureWith age, nails may become brittle and prone to breaking. Repeated wetting and drying, or exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals or cosmetics like cuticle and nail polish removers, can worsen the problem.More serious brittleness can causeridgesalong the length of the nail and fragmenting of the nail tips.Conditions likeanemia, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and hormonal problems can cause changes in texture, so consult your health provider if you notice significant texture differences in your nails.
Nail Texture
With age, nails may become brittle and prone to breaking. Repeated wetting and drying, or exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals or cosmetics like cuticle and nail polish removers, can worsen the problem.
More serious brittleness can causeridgesalong the length of the nail and fragmenting of the nail tips.
Conditions likeanemia, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), and hormonal problems can cause changes in texture, so consult your health provider if you notice significant texture differences in your nails.
Nail ThicknessNails may become thicker or thinner with age. Conditions likepsoriasisand rheumatoid arthritis can also result in thicker nails.Fungal infections, which account for about half of all nail disorders and are common in older people, can cause nail thickening and discoloration.The scientific term for a nail fungal infection is “onychomycosis.“Toenails are particularly vulnerable because shoes provide a warm, moist environment for fungus to grow. Factors that predispose someone to nail fungal infections include:Being maleDiseases like diabetes and immune deficiency conditionsSmokingTreatments for fungal nail infections include oral or topical (applied to the nail) antifungal preparations, which may need to be administered for months.Choosing the right medication will depend on other prescriptions you may be taking (to avoid drug interactions) and the severity of the infection.
Nail Thickness
Nails may become thicker or thinner with age. Conditions likepsoriasisand rheumatoid arthritis can also result in thicker nails.
Fungal infections, which account for about half of all nail disorders and are common in older people, can cause nail thickening and discoloration.The scientific term for a nail fungal infection is “onychomycosis.”
Toenails are particularly vulnerable because shoes provide a warm, moist environment for fungus to grow. Factors that predispose someone to nail fungal infections include:Being maleDiseases like diabetes and immune deficiency conditionsSmoking
Toenails are particularly vulnerable because shoes provide a warm, moist environment for fungus to grow. Factors that predispose someone to nail fungal infections include:
Treatments for fungal nail infections include oral or topical (applied to the nail) antifungal preparations, which may need to be administered for months.
Choosing the right medication will depend on other prescriptions you may be taking (to avoid drug interactions) and the severity of the infection.
Nail Contour
Pressure from too-tight shoes or foot deformities that push a nail inward can causeingrown toenails.Though more common in younger people, ingrown nails in the elderly can cause substantial pain and walking problems.
Simple treatment involves soaking the foot toease the ingrown nail outusing small pieces of cotton. Minor surgery to remove a narrow strip of the nail is usually more effective at preventing future ingrowth.
What Is A Splinter Hemorrhage?
Nail Color
Over time,nails may turn yellowor become discolored, turning slightly gray, generally pale, or opaque. Fungal infections can also cause discoloration.
One type of color change involves dark stripes or ridges along the length of the nail. The medical term for this is “longitudinal melanonychia.”
8 Causes of White Spots on Your Nails
Darker-skinned people, such as Hispanics and African Americans, often develop longitudinal melanonychia as they age.The stripes are made up of the same pigment, or melanin, that accounts for the color of your hair.
In some cases, dark ridges can signal a more serious condition. The stripe may constitute a melanoma, or malignant skin cancer, under the nail. This is more likely when it appears on only one digit—typically the big toe, thumb, or index finger.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
While many of the nail changes that occur with age are minor, some can signal more serious health problems likeheartand lung disease, anemia, liver and kidney problems, and diabetes. See your family healthcare provider or dermatologist if you have any concerns.
Summary
As you get older, your nails may change in appearance and texture. Some of these changes happen naturally as you age, while others may be a sign of a medical condition.
8 Sources
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American Academy of Dermatology.12 nail changes a dermatologist should examine.
National Library of Medicine.Aging changes in hair and nails.
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