Many people, especially women, put an extensive effort into keeping their nails perfectly trimmed, cleaned and manicured. Fingernails play an important function of protecting the nerve-rich fingertips and tips of the toes from injury. They are composed mainly of keratin, a type of protein, and are a substructure of the outer layer of the skin. Healthy nails are pink which indicates a good blood supply. But do you know that just like you skin, your nails are excellent indicators of what's going on inside your body.
Your fingernails can provide clues to your overall health. You can tell so much about a person's health just by looking at his/her nails. They can also be very useful in diagnosing illness and evaluating health. Here are some nail signs and the problems possibly causing them.
- Nails with Pits: When the surface of the fingernail has several small dents or pits on it, it could be a sign of the skin inflammatory condition – psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. If this disease is treated properly, the pits should disappear.
- Brittleness: Brittle nails (onychorrhexis) are nails which crack or split easily. The main cause of brittle nails is extreme dryness of the nail as a result of frequent handwashing with strong soap, prolonged exposure to cold, dry weather, or excess exposure to chemicals, such as nail polish remover. However, brittle nails are often a normal result of aging. Some diseases and conditions can also cause brittle nails, including thyroid problems (such as hypothyroidism), endocrine disorders (such as Sjogren-Larsson syndrome, which causes dry skin), impaired kidney function, and malnutrition (low levels of zinc and iron).
- Yellow Discoloration: Yellow nails may result from a fungal infection or a respiratory condition, such as chronic bronchitis. As the disease or infection worsens, the nails may thicken and crumble. Nails affected with this condition may also detach from the nail bed in places. If you have pleural effusion (buildup of fluid between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity) along with yellow nails, then it may be associated with lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
- Blue Nails: Blue fingernails may represent a type of cyanosis (appearance of a blue or purple coloration of the skin or mucous membranes) caused by a lower level of circulating oxygen in the red blood cells. It may be indicative of pulmonary obstruction, emphysema or lung disease (such as pneumonia).
- White Nails: White nails with darker rims may be indicative of liver disorder, such as hepatitis. White nails can also be a sign of other illnesses, such as kidney disorders, anemia, or malnutrition.
- White Spots: White spots on fingernails (leukonychia) are usually result of a previous injury to the nail bed. For example, you may have caught a finger in a door. They are usually harmless and you will eventually clip off the damaged part as they grow out. White spots can also be a result of zinc deficiency along with other symptoms like hair loss. In few cases, it can be indicative of certain internal problems such as arthritis, or a case of poisoning.
- Red Fingernails: Reddish nails could indicate a possible brain hemorrhage, heart disease, high blood pressure, lung disease, stroke, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Darkening of Nails: Darkening of nails on either side may be indicative of kidney disease. However, dark lines underneath the nails can sometimes be caused by melanoma (a type of skin cancer).
- Spoon Nails: If your nails look scooped out (like a spoon) then it could be a sign of iron-deficiency anemia. This condition is also known as koilonychia.
- Terry's Nails: In this condition the nails look opaque with a dark band at the tip. This can be due to aging or a more serious illness including congestive heart failure, diabetes, malnutrition or liver disease.
- Nail Clubbing: Nails that curve down around the fingertips with nailbeds that bulge is associated with low oxygen levels in your blood and could be a sign of lung disease, heart or liver disease.
- Vertical Ridges on Nails: Ridges are tiny, raised lines that develop across or up and down the nail. The ridges indicate poor general health, poor nutrient absorption, and a possible kidney disorder.
Please note that these symptoms are possible indicators. However, if you are facing any of these conditions, it is better to get yourself checked and see a dermatologist as soon as possible.
