a healthcare professional rather than dismissed.
Not Every Nail Imperfection Means Disease
This is perhaps the most important thing to remember.
Nails can change because of:
- Normal aging
- Minor injuries
- Repeated exposure to water or chemicals
- Nail products and manicures
- Dryness
- Infections
- Temporary interruptions in nail growth
- Certain nutritional or medical conditions
Even white spots, ridges, and brittleness can have relatively simple explanations. Mayo Clinic notes, for example, that white marks can occur after minor nail injuries and that vertical ridges commonly become more noticeable with age.
