Fingernails during pregnancy

With the onset of pregnancy in the body of a woman there are many changes, and the most important of them are hormonal changes. How does hormonal reorganization affect nails during pregnancy, and why can their condition worsen?

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What and how does it affect the nails during pregnancy?

Female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, the level of which in pregnant women significantly increases, affect the condition of the skin, hair and nail plates. Most nails during pregnancy begin to grow much faster, and they can become thinner or delaminate.

Moreover, if a woman before pregnancy had all the signs of PMS, excess weight and pimply skin, this indicated an increased synthesis of estrogen, and the production of this hormone further increased the pregnancy. The consequence is not only swelling of the soft tissues and problems with the veins on the legs, but also hair loss. For the same reason, in such women's nails during pregnancy are constantly broken.

Under the influence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by the placenta) in pregnant women, the thyroid gland also changes. When the synthesis of the hormones of this gland decreases, the nails during pregnancy, as well as the hair become brittle, there are often cramps and pain in the muscles. In addition, problems with regular discharge of the intestines (constipation) can disrupt its normal microflora, which also negatively affects the condition of the skin and nails.

During pregnancy, the need for vitamins increases, so their deficiency can be reflected in the nails. For healthy nails, a sufficient number of micronutrients, such as vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B5, B7 (H), B9, PP, and iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, silicon and selenium, are needed. Many future mothers are prescribed folic acid (vitamin B9) - to prevent disruption of neural tube formation in the fetus and reduce the risk of a premature baby, and iron preparations - against anemia. However, both vitamin B9 and iron reduce the absorption of zinc, and it is in the deficiency of zinc that the problem of brittle nails lies.

In the diet of pregnant women must be present beetroot, which contains not only virtually all the listed vitamins, but also zinc with silicon. Also zinc is rich in pumpkin and almonds, and silicon - apples, potatoes, cabbage, paprika, celery and whole grains. But for those who like muffins and confectionery pastries, it should be borne in mind that these products interfere with the assimilation of such an important trace element for nails as selenium (which is sufficient in sea fish, chicken eggs, tomatoes and wheat bran).

Nail fungus during pregnancy and its treatment

To catch the nail fungus during pregnancy - onychomycosis of the nails - can be anywhere, especially since the immune defense of the body during this period is significantly reduced. Among the most frequent pathogens of onychomycosis are dermatophytes Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes, as well as fungi of the genus Candida albicans, Scytalidium dimidiatum, Scytalidium hyalinum and Onychocola canadensis.

So, if yellowing, deforming, becoming loose and crumbling nails during pregnancy, this is a sign of their defeat by micromycetes - a very common dermatomycosis in people (according to some reports, 25% of adults have signs of this pathology). Another characteristic feature of the fungal disease is a significant increase in the thickness of the nail plates (due to hyperkeratosis) and their stratification, in which the unevenness of the outer edge of the nails is observed.

The treatment of onychomycosis can not be called simple and fast, and the treatment of nails during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that systemic drug therapy (oral antifungal drugs) in this period is prohibited.

To the local medicines, which could be used in the treatment of nail fungus in pregnant women, are special medical varnishes. According to the official instruction, the antifungal varnish Batrafen (Cyclopyrox, Fonjial) during pregnancy can be used only on strict indications. In other instructions it is indicated that because of the lack of clinical experience of treatment of pregnant women, Batrafen is contraindicated in pregnancy. A use of varnish from fungal lesions of Loceril during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

Drops from Exoderyl fungus, as indicated in the instructions, "do not have teratogenic and embryotoxic effects when applied topically". Nevertheless, during pregnancy, the prescription of this drug is possible, "if the expected benefit for the mother is higher than the potential risks to the fetus." At the same time, the active substance of the drug - naftifin - in some cases during pregnancy and lactation is contraindicated (since safety and effectiveness of its use are not defined); in other versions of the instruction it is said that "the use in pregnancy in recommended doses does not have adverse effects on the fetus."

You can carry out nail treatment during pregnancy with the help of home remedies. For example, a day to do a slightly warm 15-minute acetic nails for the nails (the ratio of 6-9% of table vinegar and water 1: 3). You can prepare a homemade liquid product by mixing medical glycerin (1 tablespoon), vinegar (2 tablespoons) and alcohol (2 tablespoons). This liquid is recommended for a month every day (at night) to carefully lubricate the nails, trying to avoid contact with the skin.

In the same way, it is advised to use birch tar, essential oils of cedar, cypress, tea tree or oregano, seasoning turmeric (in the form of gruel), as well as alcoholic tincture of green peel of walnuts.

It is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene and be sure to carry out the processing of shoes (inside) with special antifungal aerosols. Formaline shoes can not be processed by pregnant women!

Can I paint my nails during pregnancy?

Among the many questions that arise in expectant mothers, often flashes the request to clarify, whether it is possible to paint nails during pregnancy?

The desire of women in an interesting position to take care of themselves, including their fingernails, is absolutely normal. The main thing is to observe the sense of proportion. You should also be aware that some chemicals in nail varnishes can be harmful if you regularly paint your nails.

The two most common chemicals in nail varnish are phenol-formaldehyde resins (used as hardener) and toluene (gives the varnish a smoothness). And liquids for removing varnish, as is known, contain acetone. If everyone knows about the acetone property quickly, everyone knows that it is possible to bear in mind that by inhaling these fumes you can get poisoning. Formaldehyde can also evaporate, and if the nails are painted too often during pregnancy, phenolic and formaldehyde vapors that belong to toxic substances can be harmful, causing irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract.

Reduce the impact of these substances can be if you paint your nails in a well-ventilated room or at an open window, and dry your nails, removing your hands away from the nose and eyes.

In addition, in nail polishes, dibutyl ether 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid (dibutyl phthalate) - a plasticizer, giving lacquers strength. The Chemical Toxic Substances Registry (RTECS) does not indicate a significant risk of adverse effects of this substance on humans, but after tests to determine the reference dose of exposure leading to increased mortality in rats, dibutyl phthalate was banned from use in the EU and the US.

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Nail extensions during pregnancy

In spite of the fact that this manicure and cosmetic procedure affects the external side of the nail plates, it is not worthwhile to increase the nails during pregnancy.

First, nails during pregnancy, as already mentioned above, grow faster, and the materials applied on them can lead to the fact that the nail can come off from its bed.

Secondly, most of the materials used to build acrylic nails include methacrylic acid esters - methyl methacrylate or ethyl methacrylate, as well as cyanoacrylate or 2-carboxyethyl acrylate. According to the international classification Classification and Labeling of Chemicals, and the FDA report (2010), their use can exert a depressing effect on the central nervous system and cause numerous health problems, including dermatitis, allergic reactions and poisoning with angioneurotic edema.

Do not gel nails during pregnancy, doctors also do not recommend. In the process of nail extensions, the nail plates are primed with a special mixture that includes ethyl acetate (ethyl acetate) or isobutyl ester of acetic acid (isobutyl acetate). Both these substances belong to the category of chemical poisons, which are toxic to the aquatic environment, and their ingress of groundwater and sewage is unacceptable. Evaporation of volatile components of these substances irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes and nasopharynx.

We hope that now you have enough information about what and how it affects the nails during pregnancy and you will make the right conclusions about the appropriateness and safety of nail extensions during this important period of your life.