| AGEING NAILS | ArTicle
and bulimia, and other conditions leading to cachexia (25). Specific deficiencies, such as zinc deficiency in acrodermatitis enteropathica and in persons receiving parenteral nutrition or ‘astronaut food’ for intractable Crohn’s disease, after gastrectomy for gastric cancer, or in alcohol-induced insufficient zinc resorption, develop extremely thin hair and dystrophic nails (26). This was often taken as a justification to advertise zinc and other minerals for improving nail growth and quality, although no positive effect has ever been found in those without zinc, iron or calcium deficiencies for example. Nitrogen and sulfur content in the nails were found to be unrelated to dietary intake. The number of products advertised in the cosmetic
market is vast to the point that it is now almost impossible to oversee this industry. There is hardly any vitamin, amino acid, essential fatty acid or mineral that is not sold
References
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Hayashi C, Nishio H. Nail calcium and magnesium content in relation to age and bone mineral density. J Bone Miner Metab 2005; 23(4): 318–22
3. Ohgitani S, Fujita T, Fujii Y, Hayashi C, Nishio H. Nail calcium content in relation to age and bone mineral density. Clin Calcium 2008; 18(7): 959–66
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In vivo measurement of water content of the fingernail and its seasonal change. Skin Res Technol 2006; 12(2): 126–32
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traitement de l’hypercourbure transversale de l’ongle du gros orteil. J Méd Esth Chir Dermatol 1992; 19: 123–7
10. Haneke E. Operative Therapie
der myxoiden Pseudozyste. In: Haneke E. ed, Gegenwärtiger Stand der operativen Dermatologie. Fortschritte der operativen Dermatologie 4. Heidelberg: Springer, 1988
11. Blessing K, Kernohan NM, Park KG. Subungual malignant melanoma: clinicopathological features of 100 cases. Histopathology 1991; 19(5): 425–9
12. Phan A, Touzet S, Dalle S,
Ronger-Savlé S, Balme B, Thomas L. Acral lentiginous melanoma: a clinicoprognostic study of 126 cases. Br J Dermatol 2006; 155(3): 561–9
13. Tan KB, Moncrieff M, Thompson JF et al. Subungual melanoma: a study of 124 cases highlighting features of early
lesions, potential pitfalls in diagnosis, and guidelines for histologic reporting. Am J Surg Pathol 2007; 31(12): 1902–12
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Bronhofer M, Floersheim GL. Treatment of brittle fingernails and onychoschizia with biotin: scanning electron microscopy. J Am Acad Dermatol 1990; 23(6 Pt 1): 1127–32
16. Hochman LG, Scher RK,
Meyerson MS (1993) Brittle nails: response to daily biotin supplementation. Cutis 51(4): 303–5
1 Haneke E. Biotin als Nagel und 7.
Haartherapeutikum? Med Monatsschr Pharm 1994; 17(6): 187
18. Luyten C, André J, Walraevens C, De Doncker P. Yellow nail syndrome and onychomycosis. Experience with itraconazole pulse therapy combined with vitamin E. Dermatology 1996; 192(4): 406–8
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Systemic itraconazole in the yellow nail syndrome. Br J Dermatol 2002; 146(6): 1064–7
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Onychocosmeceuticals. J Cosm Dermatol 2006; 5(1): 101–6
21. Haneke E, Baran R. Micronutrients for hair and nails. In: Krutmann J. ed, Nutrition for Healthy Skin. Heidelberg: Springer, 2011
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Fichter MM, Stahl S. Dermatologische Aspekte bei Anorexia und Bulimia nervosa. Hautarzt 1990; 41(9): 476–84
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E, Gualandi M. Skin signs in anorexia nervosa. Dermatology 2001; 203(4): 314–7
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hair and
nails consist of 98% sulfur-rich proteins. A balanced diet is therefore assumed to be a prerequisite for good nail quality.
to improve the hair and nails. Despite a few manufacturer-initiated studies, there is no scientific proof of the claims. This is true for vitamins B1, B3, B4, B6, C, D, and E, combinations of vitamins with amino acids, gelatin, silicon or fluorine, as well as for herbal medicines (21). However, the psychological effect of taking something expensive for the nails is often compelling. Therefore, it may sometimes be useful to prescribe or recommend a product without any risk and with at least a theoretical benefit, such as biotin, the ‘hair and nail vitamin’, or iron when an elderly lady also has thin hair and anaemia.
Conclusions The nail undergoes typical physiologic changes during the ageing process. It grows slower, loses its shine, and tends to become more brittle. It is much more vulnerable, in particular, to aggressive manicure. A variety of conditions occur more frequently in the elderly and are very often more difficult to treat. Prophylaxis is easier than treatment and should be stressed, such as protecting the nails against detergent action during kitchen work by applying a hydrophobic ointment before and a moisturiser after work, abstaining from harsh cleaning procedures and
overzealous
manicure, reducing the frequency, and time of acrylic nail application to a minimum.
Declaration of interest None
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