What nails tell about our health?

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

Can fingernails detect an illness?

Your fingernails’ appearance alone isn’t enough to diagnose a specific illness. A doctor will use this information, along with your other symptoms and a physical exam, to make a diagnosis. You should always consult your doctor if you have any questions about changes in your nails.

What is the color of nails of a healthy person?

Your nails should generally appear to be a pale sort of pink or mauve. And it’s not actually the nails themselves that are the color, it’s the tissue underneath. “A nice healthy nail will have a pinkish or mauve hue as it reflects the color of the nail bed underneath,” Dr.

What do the lines on your fingernails mean?

Ridges in the fingernails are often normal signs of aging. Slight vertical ridges commonly develop in older adults. In some cases, they may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau’s lines, may indicate a serious condition.

Why do doctors press on your fingernails?

The capillary nail refill test is a quick test done on the nail beds. It is used to monitor dehydration and the amount of blood flow to tissue.

What does iron deficiency nails look like?

Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Leukonychia is white streaks or spots on the nails often due to drugs or disease.

What vitamin deficiency causes vertical ridges in fingernails?

Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges.

What Vitamin Are you lacking when you have ridges in your nails?

Vertical ridges on nails due to vitamin A deficiency

Brittle nails accompanied by vertical ridges can be signs of a deficiency in vitamin A, calcium, and zinc.

What causes vertical ridges in fingernails?

Vertical nail ridges, which are fairly common, extend from the cuticle to the tip of your nail. They often become more numerous or prominent with age, possibly due to variations in cell turnover within your nail.

Do thyroid problems cause nail ridges?

Horizontal ridges can be caused by trauma to the nail and may be deep or discolored. The can also indicate malnutrition, psoriasis or a thyroid problem. Check with your doctor if you see horizontal ridges on your nails; they may indicate a more serious problem.

Does vitamin D deficiency affect nails?

Most vitamin deficiencies are due to either inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption. Vitamin D, which can be obtained through sun exposure, is one of the few exceptions. Lack of these nutrients may affect the nail, the nail bed, or both and may present on physical exam or with biopsy.

Can B12 deficiency affect your nails?

Nail plate discoloration can result from several nutritional deficiencies. Research has shown vitamin B12 deficiency to cause brown-gray nail discoloration. White nails can be the result of anemia and pink or red nails may suggest malnutrition with several nutrient and vitamin deficiencies.

What do nails look like with thyroid problems?

Curved nails with swollen fingertip

A swollen fingertip, curved nail, and thickening skin above a nail are often signs of thyroid disease.

Do you have hypothyroidism look at your hands?

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism can show up in the hands and nails. Hypothyroidism can cause dermatologic findings such as nail infection, vertical white ridges on the nails, nail splitting, brittle nails, slow nail growth, and nails lifting up.

What do nails look like with hypothyroidism?

One of the thyroid symptoms that too often goes unrecognized is brittle nails. Brittle nails may be indicative of hypothyroidism, which can impact the overall shape of the nail and cause it to grow in a flat, spoon-like shape.

What fingernails would indicate diabetes?

Why diabetes can turn your nails yellow

In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue. Often this coloring has to do with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails.

Do you have hyperthyroidism look at your hands?

How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed? Contact your doctor if you have symptoms of an overactive thyroid. He or she will check for an enlarged thyroid gland, rapid pulse, moist skin, eye changes, and a slight tremor in your fingers or hand.

How does type 2 diabetes affect your nails?

People with diabetes are vulnerable to infections in and around the nails, including Gram-negative bacteria or fungi. Neuropathy and glycaemia increase the risk, as does damage to the nail or adjacent skin, for example by distorted or sharp-edged nails. It is vital to have good nail care in both hands and feet.

What deficiency causes weak nails?

A deficiency in vitamin C can result in brittle nails, as well as slowed nail growth ( 18 ). Vitamin C is an essential nutrient and cannot be produced by your body.

What do toes look like when you have diabetes?

Although rare, nerve damage from diabetes can lead to changes in the shape of your feet, such as Charcot’s foot. Charcot’s foot may start with redness, warmth, and swelling. Later, bones in your feet and toes can shift or break, which can cause your feet to have an odd shape, such as a “rocker bottom.”