Nails can tell us a lot about our overall health. Changes in nail texture, color, and shape can indicate certain health conditions. Here are 12 nail symptoms that can indicate health issues:.
1. Discolored Nails
If your nails are a yellowish color, it could indicate a fungal infection. If your nails are a bluish color, it could indicate poor circulation or oxygen levels in your blood.
2. Clubbing
Clubbing is when the tips of your fingers become enlarged and your nails curve around your fingertips. This can indicate lung or heart problems.
3. Spoon Nails
Spoon-shaped nails, or nails that are curved upward at the edges and have a concave center, can indicate iron deficiency anemia.
4. White Spots
While they’re often thought to indicate a lack of calcium, white spots on nails are usually just a sign of trauma to the nail itself.
5. Beau’s Lines
Beau’s lines are deep grooves that run horizontally across your nails. They can indicate a variety of conditions including malnutrition, injury, or illness.
6. Rippled Nails
If your nails appear rippled or pitted, it may be a sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.
7. Brittle Nails
If your nails are easily cracked, split, or broken, it could indicate a thyroid problem or a fungal nail infection.
8. Dark Lines Beneath Nails
Dark lines beneath nails can indicate a type of skin cancer called melanoma. If you notice a dark line beneath your nail that doesn’t go away, consult a doctor immediately.
9. Thickened Nails
Thickened nails can indicate a fungal infection or a thyroid problem.
10. Nail Separation from Nail Bed
If your nail separates from its nail bed, it could indicate a fungal infection, psoriasis, or thyroid disease.
11. Pincer Nails
Pincer nails are when your nails curve into a trumpet shape. They can indicate poor circulation or a genetic trait.
12. Horizontal Ridges
Horizontal ridges across your nails can indicate an injury or serious illness such as uncontrolled diabetes or kidney disease.
If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor or dermatologist immediately.