As much as we would like to consider our nails as purely decorative elements, the truth is that they can significantly reveal an array of information about our overall health.
In addition to indicating specific nutrient deficiencies, changes in the texture, color, shape, and thickness of our nails can be a sign of serious underlying issues that warrant attention.
Here are ten things your nails may be trying to tell you about your health:.
1. Yellow Nails
Yellow nails can hint towards a fungal infection or psoriasis. However, if the nails are yellowish with a brownish tint and tend to thicken, it may point toward a respiratory condition such as chronic bronchitis.
2. Pale Nails
Pale nails may often suggest anemia, a deficiency in red blood cells due to iron deficiency. However, in some cases, pale nails with white areas on them can be linked to liver problems such as hepatitis.
3. Spoon Nails
Spoon nails, also known as koilonychia, describe nails that curve inward at the edges, creating a spoon-like appearance. This can point toward iron deficiency, hemochromatosis (an iron overload disorder), or hypothyroidism.
4. Brittle Nails
Brittle and weak nails that crack easily tend to signify a lack of vitamins such as biotin (vitamin B7) and pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) within the body.
5. Blueish Nails
Nails that seem a little blue can be an indicator of poor circulation, a sign of an underlying health condition such as lung problems or heart problems.
6. White Lines and Spots on Nails
White lines or spots on nails commonly tell a tale of nutrient deficiencies, particularly a lack of zinc or calcium. Sometimes, they can be a result of an allergic reaction to nail products or trauma to a nail.
7. Dark Lines beneath Nails
Dark lines present under the nails, also known as melanonychia, can indicate a nail injury or an abnormal skin growth. In rare cases, they can be an early sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer.
8. Pitted Nails
Pitted nails is when there are small pinprick-like depressions on the surface of the nails. It can be a sign of psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes various skin changes characterized by scaly skin and rashes.
9. Clubbing Nails
Clubbing nails, when the fingertips enlarge and the nails curve around the tips of the fingers, typically suggest lung problems (including infection), heart issues, or inflammatory bowel disease.
10. Horizontal Ridges
Horizontal ridges which run across nails, also known as Beau’s lines, typically signify previous traumatic experiences like illness, malnutrition, or persistent exposure to stressors, resulting in nail growth problems.
The Bottom Line
Overall, our nails tend to serve as helpful indicators of overall health.
While changes in the texture, color, and thickness of nails can point towards underlying health concerns, these alterations are not definitive pointers towards any specific condition alone.
In other words, a change in nail appearance does not necessarily mean there is an underlying disorder, but instead, it provides a roadmap for you to schedule a check-up or consider specific adjustments to improve your overall health.
