August is Psoriasis Awareness Month. And experts at Mayo Clinic say it's important to keep an eye on your nails, as they can provide clues to your overall health.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

Many people develop lines or ridges from the cuticle to the tip. Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, says that the ridges are actually completely fine and just a part of normal aging. But there are other nail changes you should not ignore that may indicate liver or kidney problems, nutritional deficiencies and other issues.

Here are six examples:

1. Pitting
   This could be a sign of psoriasis.
2. Clubbing
   Clubbing happens when your oxygen is low and could be a sign of lung issues.
3. Spooning
   It can happen if you have iron-deficient anemia or liver disease.
4. "A Beau’s line"
   It’s a horizontal line that indicates a previous injury or infection.
5. Nail separation
   This may happen as a result of injury, infection or medication.
6. Yellowing of the nails
   This may be the result of chronic bronchitis.

"The fingernails are absolutely a wonderful reflection of a person’s overall health," says Dr. Miest.

For the safety of its patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in an area not designated for patient care, where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.

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Structural heart disease is a problem with the tissues or valves of the heart. On the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Peter Pollak, director of Structural Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, discusses mitral valve disease and another structural heart disease problem, patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. Also on the podcast, Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, explains the minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedure. And Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, offers tips to keep you safe from infection during manicures and pedicures.

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Structural heart disease is a problem with the tissues or valves of the heart. On the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast, Dr. Peter Pollak, director of Structural Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, discusses mitral valve disease and another structural heart disease problem, patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. Also on the podcast, Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, explains the minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedure. And Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, offers tips to keep you safe from infection during manicures and pedicures.

The post #MayoClinicRadio podcast: 2/23/19 appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Peter Pollak, director of Structural Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will discuss mitral valve disease and another structural heart disease problem, patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. Also on the program, Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will explain the minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedure. And Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, will offer tips to keep you safe from infection during manicures and pedicures.

Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post Structural heart disease / hip arthroscopy / avoiding infection during manicures and pedicures: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Peter Pollak, director of Structural Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will discuss mitral valve disease and another structural heart disease problem, patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. Also on the program, Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will explain the minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedure. And Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, will offer tips to keep you safe from infection during manicures and pedicures.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show? Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Structural heart disease appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Peter Pollak, director of Structural Heart Disease at Mayo Clinic's Florida campus, will discuss mitral valve disease and another structural heart disease problem, patent foramen ovale — a hole in the heart that didn't close the way it should after birth. Also on the program, Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will explain the minimally invasive hip arthroscopy procedure. And Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, will offer tips to keep you safe from infection during manicures and pedicures.

To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.

Miss the show? Here's your Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.

Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.

Access archived shows or subscribe to the podcast.

Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.

The post Mayo Clinic Radio: Structural heart disease / hip arthroscopy / avoiding infection during manicures and pedicures appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’ Read the script.

Many people develop lines or ridges from the cuticle to the tip. Dr. Miest says that the ridges are actually completely fine and just a part of normal aging. But there are other nail changes you should not ignore that may indicate liver  or problems, nutritional deficiencies and other issues.

Here are six examples:

1. Pitting
   This could be a sign of psoriasis.
2. Clubbing
   Clubbing happens when your oxygen is low and could be a sign of lung issues.
3. Spooning
   It can happen if you have iron-deficient anemia or liver disease.
4. "A Beau’s line"
   It’s a horizontal line that indicates a previous injury or infection.
5. Nail separation
   This may happen as a result of injury, infection or a medication.
6. Yellowing of the nails
   This may be the result of chronic bronchitis.

"The fingernails are absolutely a wonderful reflection of a person’s overall health," says Dr. Miest.

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Fingernails are clues to your health appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Watch: The Mayo Clinic Minute

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (0:59) is in the downloads at the end of the post.
Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’ Read the script.

There's nothing like getting pampered with a pedicure. But before you dip your toes in the water, check to be sure the spa is licensed properly.

"Oftentimes, those licenses come with the appropriate education, and they're following the appropriate protocols for how to keep you safe and how to prevent infection," says Dr. Miest.

She says bacterial and fungal are the two most common infections. To avoid them, she says don't be afraid to ask to make sure the spa cleans all equipment between customers. She says it's important to note that even if all of the appropriate precautions are taken from a cleaning standpoint, bacteria, viruses, fungi ─ these things are everywhere."

To reduce your risk, Dr. Miest says don't shave 24 hours beforehand and don't have your cuticles cut.

“Ask that they either leave your cuticles alone or gently push them back but not to aggressively push them back or clip them because that cuticle is a very, very important seal against things getting under the nail itself," she says. "If that's gone or removed, and even if the tools are clean, once you've got that opening, again, you’re at risk for infection.”

The post Mayo Clinic Minute: Health precautions you need to know about pedicures appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

ANSWER: Laser resurfacing and other forms of laser and light therapy can effectively reduce or eliminate sunspots. Certain creams also can be useful. Keep in mind, though, that if you don’t protect your skin from the sun, the spots will almost always return, or new ones will form.

The medical term for a sunspot is lentigo (or lentigines for multiple sunspots). You also may hear them called age spots or liver spots. These spots on the skin are flat and round, or oval in shape. They are uniform in color, ranging from light brown to black. Because they are a result of sun damage to the skin, the spots are most common on areas of the body that have frequent sun exposure, such as the face, shoulders and hands.

Laser therapy, as well as a treatment called intense pulsed light, can treat pigmented skin lesions, including sunspots. Before you move forward with any treatment, however, it’s important to be evaluated by a health care provider who is experienced in diagnosing and treating skin conditions. Your health care provider can review factors that could affect your treatment, such as your skin type, medical history, family history and any medications you take.

He or she also will perform a thorough physical exam to confirm that the spots you want treated are sunspots. That’s a key step because not all brown spots are lentigines. For example, brown patches on the face could be another skin disorder called melasma. Using laser treatment on melasma may worsen that condition. In some cases, the skin cancer melanoma also can look similar to sunspots. Identifying and treating melanoma as quickly as possible is critical to curing it.

If laser therapy is right for you, you may need more than one treatment to achieve the best outcome. It’s usually done in a health care provider’s office and doesn’t require hospitalization. The length of the procedure and the time it takes to see results vary, depending on the specific type of treatment you receive. Potential side effects include redness, swelling, itching, changes in skin color and scarring. Because laser and light treatments are considered cosmetic, they typically are not covered by insurance. After laser treatment, to protect your skin and keep spots from returning, you need to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor, or SPF, of 30 or higher. To prevent sunspots, always use sunscreen, or wear protective clothing when outdoors.

Topical creams can be an alternative to, or used in addition to, laser or light therapy to fade sunspots. Effective options include topical retinoids and a bleaching cream called hydroquinone. These creams are available by prescription from your health care provider or in lower-potency nonprescription forms in retail pharmacies and drugstores. There also are many other topical agents available over the counter, such as antioxidants that may improve the appearance of sunspots.

As you consider treatment options for sunspots, review the benefits and risks with your health care provider. He or she can help you determine which approach is best for you. Whatever you decide, to protect your safety, ensure the health care provider you work with has training and experience with the therapies you’re considering. — Dr. Rachel Miest, Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota

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