You might not look at your fingernails too often, but did you know they can tell you a lot about your health? There are hundreds of medical conditions and diseases that can cause changes to your nails, and if you're not aware of what your nails look like when they're healthy, then how are you going to recognize what they look like when you are not? Sometimes it can be a fungal infection or an injury, but your fingernails can sometimes change to show you that there is a serious underlying problem.
This can include problems with your heart, your liver, or even your lungs. When nails are healthy they look pink in color and the moons and in the nail base are a light pink to a white color. If these colors are different or you have a nail that is missing that little Half Moon at the bottom, there is an indication there that there is a weakness in your health. Weak thyroids can lead to depression, thinning hair and mood swings. There are plenty of options for a natural nail fungus treatment, but unless you know the signs, how are you ever going to get that help?
Healthy nails should be smooth without grooves, ridges, spots or discoloration. But if you see your nails have changed in colour or texture, or they are thicker than usual, then it's time potentially to visit your GP. Let's take a look at some of the signs on your nails that tell you that your health is not as in control as you thought it was.
- Your nails are brittle. Over time, our nails weaken, but brittle or crumbly nails can be a result of long exposure to nail polish or detergents. It can also indicate a fungal nail infection, which can happen when your nails are not getting enough oxygen. There are conditions that form itchy rashes on the skin or in the mouth called Lichen planus, and thyroid disease or psoriasis. In the rare case, it could also be an indication of reactive arthritis and that's a painful form of arthritis that is also inflammatory. Brittle and crumbly nails can shed and make you leave sheddings and shavings of nail around the house. Your nails become too soft and they are no longer strong enough to withstand.
- Your nails are discolored. Yellowing nails can happen when you've used nail polish for too long, but it can also indicate a fungal nail infection or even psoriasis. If you have jaundice due to a liver problem or sinus infection or a problem with your thyroid or lung infection and even lymphedema, this could also show your nails to be yellow.If you are going to a salon, they should be doing proper nail care so that your nails can feel oxygenated even when they are covered in nail polish for a few weeks. Ideally, you want to make sure that your nails are looking healthy before the polish goes on. If your nails look green or black coloured, there's a bacterial infection that occurs under those loose nails. Blue or purple fingernail beds can indicate deprivation of oxygen, and gray nails can be caused by certain conditions and medications. If your nails look brown, there may be a thyroid disease or malnutrition present. White males can also be a sign of fungal nail infection, anemia, or aging. The point is, if you notice a discoloration in your nails, you should be getting help quickly.
- Your nails have thickened. There are a few reasons for your nails thickening up, but they are commonly caused by a fungal nail infection. Yellowish, thickened, slow growing nails can also indicate a lung disease. So having thicker nails doesn't mean that you are doing really well with your vitamins, but there is a problem happening in your body. Speaking to your GP, they'll be able to see whether your nails are thickening in a good way or a bad way, but honestly, there really is no good way of having thicker nails.
- Your nails are loose. When your fingernails become loose and start to separate from their nail bed, you may end up seeing that there is an injury or an infection to your hands. Psoriasis, thyroid disease and poor circulation or an allergic reaction to medicine can do this. But loose nails, just like with loose teeth that need to be carefully watched, the last thing that you want to happen is to deal with any looseness and find that your fingernails are starting to come away from the bed.
- Spoon-shaped nails. If your fingernails have started to curve inwards and they look scooped out, you may have an iron deficiency. You may also have a liver condition called hemochromatosis, which results in an overload of iron. Raynaud's disease can also do this because it affects the blood supply to the fingers and the toes. But heart disease and hypothyroidism can also be a factor. Spoon shaped nails should not be ignored. Go to the doctors as soon as you notice.
- You've noticed dents in your nails. Pitting or small dents can indicate anything from psoriasis and eczema to reactive arthritis or alopecia. Pitting in the nails can be very uncomfortable and it can look uncomfortable, so you need to make sure that you are keeping an eye on your nail health. Speak to your nail technician to see whether or not there is anything that you could be doing to keep your nails in better shape.
- You've noticed grooves, Deep lines or grooves that run horizontally along the nail can be a result of having chemotherapy. It can also be because of exposure to cold temperatures like Raynaud's disease or a previous injury. Zinc deficiencies and illnesses that are associated with high fever are also factors, so keep an eye on these lines which are called Beau’s lines.
- Your nails have clubbed. When the fingertips and nails are unusually curved around the fingertips, it's called club nail. It can be harmless due to an increased blood flow to the fingertips, and it can run in families. But if this is something that is suddenly occurring, it may show that there is a low oxygen level in your blood and that can indicate lung disease. There are also other ailments like liver disease, IBD and AIDS that can cause nail clubbing as well. This is where you need to see your doctor for a blood test.
- White lines horizontally across your nails. If you've noticed white lines that run parallel to the base of your nails, but it's not the white spots or streaks that are normal, then you need to get your blood checked for low levels of protein. This can be due to malnutrition or even liver disease.
You should never ignore your fingernail health because it's one thing to have issues with your fingernails and it's a completely different thing to ignore it completely. Have a closer look at your nails today and decide whether or not you want to go and see your GP based on all of the evidence we've given you above. Understanding what signs of your health your nails are sending you is going to help you to spend more time paying attention to your health. Your nails can say a lot about you, so pay attention before you go and get your manicure.
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