Nails during pregnancy

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

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What and how affects nails during pregnancy?

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

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

Under the influence of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin, produced by the placenta), the thyroid gland also changes in pregnant women. When the synthesis of hormones of this gland decreases, nails during pregnancy, as well as hair, become brittle, cramps and painful sensations in the muscles often occur. In addition, problems with regular bowel movements (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 also affect the nails. For healthy nails, a sufficient amount of micronutrients is necessary, such as vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B5, B7 (H), B9, PP, as well as iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, silicon and selenium. Many expectant mothers are prescribed folic acid (vitamin B9) to prevent neural tube defects in the fetus and reduce the risk of premature birth, as well as iron supplements to combat anemia. However, both vitamin B9 and iron reduce zinc absorption, and it is zinc deficiency that causes brittle nails.

The diet of pregnant women should definitely include beets, which contain not only almost all the vitamins listed, but also zinc and silicon. Pumpkin and almonds are also rich in zinc, and apples, potatoes, cabbage, paprika, celery and whole grains are rich in silicon. But those who love sweet buns and all kinds of pastries should keep in mind that these products interfere with the absorption of such an important microelement for nails as selenium (which is found in abundance in sea fish, chicken eggs, tomatoes and wheat bran).

Nail fungus during pregnancy and its treatment

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

So, if your nails turn yellow, become deformed, become loose and crumble during pregnancy, this is a sign of their infection with micromycetes - a very common dermatomycosis in people (according to some data, 25% of adults have signs of this pathology). Another characteristic sign of a fungal disease is a significant increase in the thickness of the nail plates (due to hyperkeratosis) and their delamination, in which unevenness of the outer edge of the nails is observed.

Treatment of onychomycosis cannot be called simple and quick, and treatment of nails during pregnancy is further complicated by the fact that systemic drug therapy (oral antifungal drugs) is prohibited during this period.

Local medications that could be used to treat nail fungus in pregnant women include special medical varnishes. According to the official instructions, the antifungal varnish Batrafen (Ciclopirox, Fonzhial) is allowed to be used during pregnancy only for strict indications. Other instructions indicate that due to the lack of clinical experience in treating pregnant women, the use of Batrafen during pregnancy is contraindicated. And the use of the varnish for fungal infections Lotseril during pregnancy and lactation is not recommended.

Drops for fungus Exoderil, as stated in the instructions, "when applied locally, do not have a teratogenic or embryotoxic effect." However, during pregnancy, the prescription of this drug is possible "if the expected benefit to the mother is higher than the potential risks to the fetus." At the same time, the active substance of the drug - naftifine - in some versions is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation (since the safety and effectiveness of its use have not been determined); other versions of the instructions say that "use during pregnancy in recommended doses does not have an adverse effect on the fetus."

You can treat your nails during pregnancy using home remedies. For example, every other day, do lukewarm 15-minute vinegar baths for your nails (the ratio of 6-9% table vinegar and water is 1:3). You can make a homemade liquid remedy by mixing medical glycerin (1 tablespoon), vinegar (2 tablespoons) and alcohol (2 tablespoons). It is recommended to thoroughly lubricate your nails with this liquid every day (at night) for a month, trying to avoid contact with the skin.

In the same way, it is recommended to use birch tar, essential oils of cedar, cypress, tea tree or oregano, turmeric spice (in the form of a gruel), as well as an alcohol tincture of green walnut peel.

It is necessary to observe hygiene rules and be sure to treat shoes (inside) with special antifungal aerosols. Shoes of pregnant women cannot be treated with formalin!

Is it okay to paint your nails while pregnant?

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

It is absolutely normal for women in an interesting position to want to take care of themselves, including their nails. The main thing is to maintain a sense of proportion. You should also know that some chemicals in nail polishes can be harmful if you regularly paint your nails.

The two most common chemicals in nail polish are phenol-formaldehyde resins (used as a hardener) and toluene (which makes the polish smooth). And nail polish removers, as you know, contain acetone. While everyone knows that acetone evaporates quickly, it is important to remember that inhaling these fumes can cause poisoning. Formaldehyde can also evaporate, and if you paint your nails too often during pregnancy, phenol and formaldehyde vapors, which are toxic substances, can cause harm by irritating the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract.

You can reduce the impact of these substances by painting your nails in a well-ventilated room or near an open window, and drying your nails with your hands away from your nose and eyes.

In addition, nail polishes contain dibutyl 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate (dibutyl phthalate), a plasticizer that gives the polishes strength. The Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS) does not note any significant risk of harmful effects of this substance on humans, but after experiments to determine the control 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

Despite the fact that this manicure and cosmetic procedure affects the outer side of the nail plates, nail extensions should not be performed during pregnancy.

Firstly, nails during pregnancy, as mentioned above, grow faster, and materials applied to them can lead to the nail coming off its bed.

Secondly, most materials used for acrylic nail extensions contain methacrylic acid esters - methyl methacrylate or ethyl methacrylate, as well as cyanoacrylate or 2-carboxyethyl acrylate. According to the international classification Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, and the FDA report (2010), their use can have a depressing effect on the central nervous system and cause numerous health problems, including dermatitis, allergic reactions and poisoning with angioedema.

Doctors also do not recommend getting gel nails during pregnancy. During the nail extension process, the nail plates are primed with a special mixture that includes ethyl acetate (ethyl acetate) or isobutyl acetate (isobutyl acetate). Both of these substances are classified as chemical poisons that are toxic to the aquatic environment, and their entry into groundwater and wastewater is unacceptable. The fumes of the volatile components of these substances have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes of the eyes and nasopharynx.

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