They are often a mirror of small problems. But they can also reveal certain pathologies.

Manicures, gardening, scrubs, extension baths, microtrauma … Our nails are subjected to a tough test.

Sometimes they also have symptoms that may reflect certain deficiencies or diseases.

Dr. Sophie Goettmann-Bonvallot, a dermatologist specializing in nails at the Bichat Hospital and nail surgeon (Paris), reveals all her secrets.

My nails are striped

If the streaks are vertical, this is normal. It is even « the future of nails throughout life », concludes the specialist. « This happens at a changing age. We can have up to 30 inches of streaks at the age of 50. To reduce fragility, we dispose of the nails and scissors and « fold them in a fine file perpendicular to the nail and, above all, do not fold the surface », recommends the dermatologist. In rare cases, when all nails suddenly get stuck, it can reveal a dermatological condition such as psoriasis or lichen that needs to be treated.

If the streaks run horizontally, parallel to the moon (the white half between the nail and the shell), this is often due to an offensive manicure. « By over-suppressing the epidermis, we traumatize the nail matrix and create a storm or a transverse white line. We see it on the toes when the nails are too long and that they fall into the shoes. Then arches of white crossbars can form,” the dermatologist describes in detail.

Solution.Always have the nails of short feet, cut square, do not balance the sides to avoid the incarnated nail.

My nails are cracked, split