What Your Senior’s Nails Indicate About Their Health
Home Care Assistance in Folsom
You may be old enough to see that your parents are beginning to exhibit signs of aging. You may have seen personality and behavior changes that make them look somewhat different than before. Our parents will inevitably age, despite our desire to pretend otherwise. They have had several trials and tribulations throughout their lives, which have taken a physical and emotional toll on them. The best thing we can do for our elderly loved ones is educate ourselves about senior health concerns, to know what to look for when we visit them or if an emergency scenario develops.
If you do not have the time to care for your elderly parents, home care assistance can greatly assist your family. Home care assistance providers can help your senior age safely. If a senior experiences typical health conditions, home care assistance might be among the first to help the senior get to the doctor or hospital. Seniors might not like to feel like a burden; thus, they may not feel comfortable asking for assistance. Home care assistance may be exactly what a family needs to protect a senior’s safety. Here are some specific things that can point to major health problems.
You May Notice Nail Separation
This is called onycholysis, and occurs when a fingernail or toenail separates from the pink nail bed. This ailment is often harmless, although the afflicted nails may catch on objects, which may be painful. Therefore, it is essential to cut afflicted nails gently. Once the underlying reason has been recognized and addressed, onycholysis resolves typically in a few months when the old nail is shed and replaced/reattached by a new one. This could signify thyroid problems, drug reactions, or even allergic reactions.
Look for Yellow Nails
Yellowing of the nails may be caused by various factors, some of which are severe. Others may be the result of simple lifestyle decisions, such as smoking or excessive Polish application. Yellow nails can signify fungal infections, diabetes, jaundice or failing liver functions, or maybe respiratory conditions.
Opaque Nails
Fungal infection is a possible cause of white nails that are not caused by detachment from the nail bed. Therefore, if all your nails are affected, you may have a disorder called “Terry’s nails,” caused by a lack of circulation to the nail bed and an excess of connective tissue. There are other problems, opaque nails may be a sign of malnutrition, liver disease, and kidney failure.
Conclusion
Focusing on a senior’s nails can be so crucial. It can be one of the first signs of more significant problems. It is also essential for a senior to take good care of their nails to keep down any fungal infections. This is something that home care assistance may need to help with. Seniors may have difficulty taking care of their nails or inspecting them for problems. You can help your seniors take care of them or find a professional who can.
If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring Home Care Assistance in Folsom, CA, talk to the caring staff at Partners in Care today. Serving El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Sacramento, Placer, Butte, Glenn, Yolo, & Colusa Counties!
Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! (530) 268-7423
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