Many of the health issues we confront over our lives often first show up as an adverse condition in our skin and nails. Potentially deadly diseases like lung and heart problems, as well as fungal infections and skin lesions, will always show indications that a trained dermatologist will be able to detect and correct, thus avoiding these complications.

Some of these include:

• Brittle nails—Brittle nails may be an indication of normal aging but may also be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or cancer, so see your dermatologist for the correct diagnosis.
• Clubbed nails—Bulging and curved nails can be a sign of a liver or kidney failure.
• Concave nails—Iron deficiency can show up in your nails by making them curved in the opposite direction. This condition is also associated with heart disease, thyroid issues and lupus.
• Discoloration—Nail fungus, psoriasis, or smoking can cause your nails to become yellow and brittle.
• Indentations and pitting—This is probably an indication of a skin disease like psoriasis which has severe scaling and drying of the skin as a major indication.

These problems are often nothing to be concerned about, but it’s always a good idea to have your skin care professional check to make sure you don’t have a cancerous lesion. Dr. Juan Vaillant of Old Bridge Dermatology has been treating patients for hair, skin, and nail problems for over 30 years, and has the extensive background needed to help address a variety of dermatological issues. Dr. Vaillant has successfully treated acne, eczema, dandruff, hair loss, psoriasis, and nail fungus. If you are looking for an amiable, highly skilled dermatologist, call our office in Old Bridge, NJ at (732) 679-0222 and make an appointment.