Have you noticed the shape and appearance of your fingertips lately? Surprisingly, your gum fingers can predict your health status and the risks associated with certain diseases.

This unique aspect of the ‘digital examination’ can help in the identification, prevention, and treatment of several health conditions.

What are Gum Fingers?

Gum fingers are the tips or pads at the end of your fingers that you use to grip and hold objects. The shape, size, and appearance of these gum fingers vary from person to person, and even between the fingers on the same hand.

Depending on the features of your gum fingers, they could tell more about your health status than you think.

What Can You Tell from Gum Fingers?

There is a lot you can learn from your gum fingers. The following are some possible observations you can make from your gum fingers:.

1. Heart Health

The condition of your gum fingers can predict your heart health. Thin, narrow, and tapered fingers may indicate a higher risk of developing heart disease than short, chubby, and blunt fingers.

According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, people with lower cardiovascular health scores had longer index fingers than people with higher cardiovascular health.

2. Lung Health

The size of your fingertips can also provide insight into your lung health. If you have long and slender fingers, you may be at a higher risk of developing lung cancer than people with shorter fingers and wider fingertips.

This is according to a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention.

3. Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and causes pain and stiffness. Gum finger joints that are swollen or tender may indicate arthritis.

In addition, if your fingers are crooked or abnormally shaped, you may be at a higher risk of developing arthritis.

4. Thyroid Disease

Your gum fingers may also be able to tell you about thyroid disease. If you have swollen fingertips, you may have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

On the other hand, if your fingertips look thin and gaunt, you may have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

5. Diabetes

Different studies have linked certain finger patterns to diabetes. People with a shorter index finger than the ring finger are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

In addition, having a lack of hair on the fingers can be an early sign of diabetes.

6. Anemia

Anemia is a condition that occurs when you have a low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin levels. If you have pale fingers and nails, you may be anemic.

These signs indicate that there is decreased blood flow to your fingers, which may be due to low oxygen levels in your blood.

7. Raynaud’s Disease

Raynaud’s disease is a condition that causes the fingers and toes to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. The fingers may turn white or blue and feel painful.

If you have Raynaud’s disease, your gum fingers will appear pale or bluish in color.

8. Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes damage to the nerves that control movement and sensation in the arms and legs. If you have gum finger numbness or tingling, you may have peripheral neuropathy.

9. Liver Conditions

Your texture and color of your gum fingers can provide insight into liver health. Yellow discoloration of the skin and gum fingers known as jaundice can be indicative of a liver condition such as hepatitis or cirrhosis.