Nails

Did you know that the way your fingernails and toenails look tell a doctor a lot about your health? That's why, when you have a physical exam, your doctor looks at them closely.
Why are nails so important?
Not only are nails nice to look at, they also help us pick things up. (Think how hard it would be to pick a dime up off a table without them!) They also help to support the skin underneath our fingers and toes.

Nail problems and solutions.
Sometimes, no matter how well we take care of our nails, something goes wrong. But the good news is that your skin doctor (dermatologist) can take care of most nail problems easily. Here are a few common nail conditions and what you can do about them.

Ingrown nails. Ouch! If you touch the tip of your big toe and it makes you flinch, you may have an ingrown toenail. Lots of people have them, especially on their big toes. (You'll notice that the skin around the tip of the nail is also red and swollen.) You might get an ingrown toenail if you trim your toenails at an angle or wear shoes that are too tight. It's best to see a dermatologist if you have an ingrown toenail, because you may get an infection if you try to cut the nail out yourself.

Fungal infections. If you've ever seen someone with a dark, thick toenail, you've probably seen someone with a fungal infection. These types of infections (which are more common in toenails than fingernails) often separate the tip of the toenail from the skin on your toe. And sometimes white, green, yellow or black "gunk" builds up under the nail, making the nail look dark. People get fungal infections in their toenails because funguses like to grow where it's warm and moist (like inside your shoes). Your dermatologist may treat the fungus with pills or lotions.