Health is wealth and should never be taken for granted. Some health conditions can be easily identified by their physical symptoms while others remain hidden until a medical check-up is carried out.

Psoriasis, Endocarditis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis are three medical conditions that can be detected through hand signs. This article will discuss in detail the hand signs that indicate these conditions.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is easily identified through the appearance of red and white scaly patches on the skin. However, psoriasis can also be identified through nail changes.

The nails of people with psoriasis often have pitting, separation of the nail from the nail bed, and splinter hemorrhages (tiny red lines) under the nails.

Pitting: These are small dents or depressions on the nails and are often the earliest sign of nail psoriasis. For people with this condition, their fingernails or toenails look like they have been hit with a hammer.

The pits are usually shallow and multiple, and the more pits there are in the nail, the more severe the condition might be.

Onycholysis: This is the separation of the nail from the nail bed due to the inflammation of the skin underneath the nail. The condition causes the nail to become thick while the skin underneath becomes rough.

As the immune system works hard to repair the skin, it lifts the nail from the nail bed, resulting in onycholysis, which is a symptom of nail psoriasis.

Splinter Hemorrhages: These are tiny lines of bleeding that run vertically under the nails. The condition is called splinter hemorrhage because its appearance is similar to that of a splinter.

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the lining of the heart, known as the endocardium, becomes infected with bacteria. The condition is also known as infective endocarditis or bacterial endocarditis.

Clubbed Fingers: Clubbing refers to the thickening of the flesh under the toenails or fingernails. This condition is common in people with heart or lung-related diseases, and endocarditis is one of them.

Clubbed fingers occur due to the lack of oxygen supply in the fingertips, causing the nails to curve downwards. The fingertips also appear rounder, and the nail bed feels spongy.

Janeway Lesions: These are painless, small, red, or purplish spots that occur on the palms and soles of the feet. The spots are caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the capillaries, leading to the formation of these small lesions.

Unlike Osler’s nodes, Janeway lesions are not painful, and they disappear after treatment.

Osler’s Nodes: These are painful, red nodes that form on the pads of the fingers and toes. The nodes are caused by the immune system’s response to the bacterial infection in the bloodstream.

They appear as small bumps and are tender to touch. Like Janeway lesions, Osler’s nodes also disappear after treatment.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The condition causes inflammation of the joints, leading to severe pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Although rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, it can also affect the skin, eyes, lungs, heart, and blood vessels.

Symmetrical Swelling: Rheumatoid arthritis is known for causing symmetric swelling in the joints – meaning that if one wrist is affected, then the other wrist is likely to be affected too.

The swelling may be visible in the hands and wrists, as well as in the ankles and feet. The inflammation can put pressure on the nerves in the hands, leading to numbness and tingling sensations.

Boutonniere Deformity: This is a condition caused by the inflammation of the tendons that bend the fingers. The inflammation causes the tendons to become weak, leading to deformity of the fingers.

The condition is common in people with rheumatoid arthritis and can affect one or both hands.

Swan-Neck Deformity: This condition is also caused by inflammation of the tendons that bend the fingers.

The condition is characterized by the abnormal bending of the fingers at the middle joint, leading to the appearance of a swan’s neck. The condition can also affect one or both hands.

Conclusion

It is essential to pay attention to changes in our bodies, especially in the hands, as they could indicate underlying health issues.

Psoriasis, endocarditis, and rheumatoid arthritis are three medical conditions that can be identified through specific hand signs. Early detection of these conditions can help in treating them and preventing further damage to the body. If you notice any of the hand signs discussed in this article, seek medical attention immediately.