You may be surprised to find out that your nail conditions can indicate your overall health. Having good nail health does not only complement your manicure but is also a sign of good health. It can be surprising to find out how nails and health are so closely linked. Some unusual nail symptoms can signify an unhealthy body. White spots, rosy tones, rippling, or bumps on the nails may be signs of disease. Your nails can indicate problems in the liver, lungs, and heart. Keep an eye out for anything that looks different around your fingernails or toenails. Any changes that don’t seem right should be examined thoroughly. The best thing you can do is to visit your doctor as soon as possible.
9 Things Your Nails Say About Your Health
Here’s a list of conditions that indicate the status of your overall health:
1. Yellow Nails
A fungal infection is a common cause of yellow nails. Infections may cause the nail bed to retract and the nails to thicken and crumble. Yellow nails can be a sign of severe thyroid concerns, lung diseases, diabetes, or psoriasis in rare cases.
2. Pale Nails
Pale fingernails and toenails are common signs of ageing, although they can be caused by many different factors. Pale nails can also indicate more serious health conditions in some cases such as anaemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, or malnutrition.
3. White Nails
There are many reasons why only one nail may be partly or entirely white. A white nail bed with a pink band around the top is called Terry’s nails and it may indicate serious health problems. This symptom may indicate Cirrhosis of the liver, chronic kidney failure, diabetes, or congestive heart failure.
4. Bluish Nails
A blue tint on the nails may indicate a lack of oxygen in the body. This nail condition may be an indication of emphysema or other lung problems. It may also be a sign of heart problems.
5. Rippled Nails
Why do some people have pitted fingernails? Pitted nails are a classic sign of psoriasis. The nails appear pitted and hollow. Fingernail ribbing is seen in patients who have dermatitis of the fingertips. The condition can be caused by atopic dermatitis, irritant dermatitis, or allergic contact dermatitis.
6. Split or Cracked Nails
Brittle nails are common among the elderly. Due to the large number of potential causes of brittle nails, it is typically hard to discover the cause. The brittleness of a nail can be caused by several diseases, trauma, or nutritional deficiencies. A dermatologist may use different names for brittle nails depending on how they split. Dry, cracked nails are commonly a sign of thyroid disease, however, split nails with a yellowish hue can be a symptom of fungal infection.
7. Puffy Nail Fold
If the outer skin around the nail is puffy and red, it is because of inflammation of the nail fold. Lupus or other connective tissue disorder can cause this to happen. Redness and inflammation of the nail fold can also be caused due to infections.
8. Dark Lines on the Nails
A blackish-brown line, appearing between the cuticle and the tip of the nail can be caused due to several reasons. This should be immediately checked by a doctor because as per the nails and health correlation, this can be due to melanoma, a very harmful skin cancer.
9. Gnawed Nails
Biting nails can be a sign of anxiety disorder. Although nail biting is seen as an old habit, it can be linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. This should not be taken lightly.
Conclusion
Avoiding these conditions should not be an option. However, you can keep yourself healthy by drinking lots of water and eating a healthy, protein rich balanced diet. Zinc, vitamin C and vitamin B are very good for your nails and health and should be included in your regular diet.
