Do dermatologists look at nails?

Board-certified dermatologists specialize in diagnosing and treating the skin, hair, and nails.
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Why do dermatologists look at your nails?

Signs of nutritional deficiencies, arthritis, heart disease, and more can all be identified by certain nail abnormalities. Doctors and dermatologists are trained to carefully examine nails for these signs so they can conduct further tests and deliver a proper diagnosis.
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What kind of doctor do you see for nails?

A doctor who specializes in treating nail and skin disorders is called a dermatologist. You may see your regular doctor about your nail health concerns, and he or she may refer you to a dermatologist. You can also find a dermatologist online at www.aad.org or by calling (888) 462-DERM.
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Do you go to a dermatologist for nail fungus?

If your fungus doesn't clear up at home, you should check in with a dermatologist (a skin, hair, and nail specialist) or podiatrist (a foot doctor.) They may gently scrape under your nail to get rid of some of the fungus or send it to the lab for diagnosis. They can also prescribe stronger medicines. Topical medicines.
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What can a dermatologist do for fingernails?

A dermatologist should examine any nail that's lifting up. You may need treatment to clear an infection. A dermatologist can also give you some tips that may help the new nail grow out normally. If you have redness and swelling around a nail, you may have an infection.
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Ways to Strengthen Nails - Daily Do's of Dermatology



Do Dermatologists treat nail infection?

How do dermatologists treat a fungal nail infection? Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail(s), cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.
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Should I go to dermatologist or podiatrist for toenail fungus?

The truth is that you can go to either a dermatologist or a podiatrist to have your nail fungus treated, but it is especially important to see a podiatrist when it affects your toenails specifically.
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What do dermatologists do?

Dermatologists are medical doctors who specialize in skin, hair and nails. Dermatologists also handle cosmetic disorders, like hair loss and scars. Your dermatologist will examine you, order lab tests, make a diagnosis and treat your condition with medication or a procedure.
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Can fingernails show signs of illness?

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
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What diseases show up in your nails?

Here are five signs to look for in your nails that can reveal important information about your health.
  • Yellowing or Thickening: Fungus. ...
  • Brittle Nails: Anemia or Thyroid Disease. ...
  • Pitting and Grooving: Psoriasis or Alopecia Areata. ...
  • Dark Lines: Melanoma. ...
  • White Lines: Kidney Disease or Liver Abnormalities.
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What does a brown line on your nail mean?

Brown-black nail lines may represent blood from trauma; bacterial, fungal, or viral infection; drug reaction; endocrine disorders; exogenous pigmentation; excess melanin production within the nail matrix; nevi; or melanoma.
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What are 8 common nail disorders?

Local Nail Abnormalities
  • DYSTROPHIC NAILS (SELF-INDUCED) Dystrophic nails (Figure 2) can be caused by repeated manipulation of the nail plate (e.g., manicures/pedicures, biting, rubbing). ...
  • LEUKONYCHIA. ...
  • LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA. ...
  • ONYCHOMYCOSIS. ...
  • PARONYCHIA. ...
  • SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA. ...
  • SUBUNGUAL HEMATOMA.
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What does iron deficiency nails look like?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
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What is the best time to trim your nails that is recommended by the dermatologist?

To properly trim your nails, dermatologists recommend the following tips: Soften the nails. The best time to trim your nails is immediately after taking a bath or shower. However, if that isn't possible, soak your nails in lukewarm water for a few minutes to soften them.
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What are the 5 common nail problems?

Tips to treat the 5 most common nail disorders: brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, onychomycosis.
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What can a dermatologist diagnose?

A dermatologist can diagnose and treat more than 3,000 conditions that affect the skin, nails, and hair.
...
What Conditions Does a Dermatologist Treat?
  • Acne.
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Dermatitis.
  • Hemangioma.
  • Itchy skin.
  • Psoriasis.
  • Skin cancer.
  • Skin infections.
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What procedures do dermatologists perform?

Some procedures that dermatologists regularly do include:
  • Biopsies. A dermatologist can perform different types of biopsy procedures to diagnose or rule out skin cancer or other conditions.
  • Laser therapy. ...
  • Surgical excision. ...
  • Cryotherapy. ...
  • Sclerotherapy. ...
  • Mohs surgery. ...
  • Chemical peels. ...
  • Cosmetic injections.
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Why should I go to a dermatologist?

Redness, itching, pain, rashes and pus are all signs you need to see a dermatologist. This doctor specializes in treating skin, hair and nails. Some treatments improve the look of your skin. Regular checkups for skin cancer can save your life.
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Do Dermatologists treat fungal infections?

Dermatologists treat fungal infections of the skin, as well as fungal infections in hair and nails. Often, these infections appear as itchy, scaley, rashes on the skin.
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What happens if you leave toenail fungus untreated?

If you have toenail fungus and it goes untreated, you may experience: Pain in your feet and toes due to thickened, distorted toenails. Spread of the fungus to your skin, causing athlete's foot. Infection of the surrounding areas, causing cracked skin, and increasing bacterial spread.
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What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?

In medical terms this is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium,” says Batra. The fungal infection breaks down the keratin in the nail to form a white or yellow chalky substance under the nail plate. "As keratin debris spreads under the nail, the nail plate typically becomes lifted up off of the nail bed.
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Do Dermatologists treat ingrown toenails?

Treatment at the doctor

The dermatologist may lift the nail and place a splint to help separate it from the skin and help the nail grow outward properly. Other times, the dermatologist may remove a part of the nail and trim it after it has been injected with an anesthetic for comfort.
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What fingernail fungus looks like?

Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration. Brittle, crumbly or ragged. Distorted in shape. A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail.
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What kills fingernail fungus fast?

Oral antifungal drugs.

These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine (Lamisil) and itraconazole (Sporanox). These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.
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What are the signs of unhealthy nails?

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
  • discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color)
  • changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing)
  • changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)
  • nails that become brittle.
  • nails that are pitted.
  • bleeding around nails.
  • swelling or redness around nails.
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