You might not check your nails first for signs of good health, but they can reveal more than you think. Nails can indicate underlying health issues you may not be aware of. Understanding what healthy nails look like is a good starting point.
What Do Healthy Nails Look Like?
According to Dr. Dana Stern, a dermatology expert at Mount Sinai Medical School, normal fingernails should have white tips with a smooth finish and a subtle shine. Your nail beds should be flesh-colored, appearing pink, tan, or brownish. Cuticles should be intact and well-moisturized, and there should be no hangnails.
However, if your nail color, shape, or structure changes beyond typical wear and tear—like after a weekend of housework or overdue manicure—this could signal a deeper health issue. Let’s explore common nail problems that might indicate something more serious.
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1. Small Dents in Nails
Small dents in your nails, known as pitting, can be a sign of an autoimmune disorder. These occur when your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation. Pitting is often linked to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It may also be associated with connective tissue disorders like Reiter’s syndrome.
If the dents form a regular pattern, they might indicate alopecia areata, a type of hair loss triggered by an autoimmune response. Deep lines or grooves across your nails, called Beau lines, are another clue. These can show up after a high fever or extreme stress, possibly even after a COVID-19 infection.
2. Concave Nails (Spoon-Shaped)
Spoon-shaped nails, or koilonychia, could be a normal part of aging. However, they can also suggest iron-deficiency anemia or issues with how your body processes iron, such as hemochromatosis. If your nails suddenly take on a concave shape, it’s important to see your doctor for an iron level check.
3. White Nails
If the area near your cuticle turns solid white while the far end of the nail remains pink, you might have what’s known as half-and-half nails or Lindsay’s nails. Sometimes this is genetic, but it can also signal chronic kidney disease.
Another condition, Terry’s nails, occurs when two-thirds of the nail is white and only a sliver is pink. This could indicate cirrhosis, heart failure, or diabetes, according to Dr. Stern.
4. Brown or Black Stripes
Dark stripes on your nails can be harmless, especially in people with darker skin tones. These stripes are often caused by increased pigmentation due to trauma, such as aggressive cuticle pushing. However, they can also be an early sign of melanoma, a type of skin cancer that can appear under your nails.
It’s crucial to see a dermatologist if you notice a dark stripe that is changing, widening, or darkening. Nail melanoma is often diagnosed late but is treatable if caught early.
5. Yellow Nails
Yellow nails are often a result of frequent nail polish use. However, in rare cases, yellow nail syndrome can indicate a more serious condition. This syndrome, characterized by thick, yellow-green nails without a visible lunula (the half-moon shape at the base of your nail), is often linked to lung conditions like bronchiectasis or issues with the lymphatic system.
6. Blue or Green Nails
Blue nails can indicate low oxygen levels in your blood, which might point to lung or heart problems. Sometimes, blue nails are a sign of poisoning, though this is rare.
Green nails, on the other hand, can be a sign of a bacterial infection. This condition, called paronychia, occurs when bacteria get into a cut near your cuticle and infect the skin under your nail. You’ll likely need antibiotics to clear it up.
7. Downward Curved Nails
Nails that curve down and have a rounded edge are a sign of clubbing, which occurs when your nails aren’t getting enough oxygen. Clubbing can be caused by heart or lung diseases, including lung cancer. It may also indicate gastrointestinal issues like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease.
8. Nail Separation
When your nails separate from the nail bed, it’s called onycholysis. This can happen due to trauma or irritation, such as from nail products. It’s also linked to fungal infections and psoriasis. In some cases, sudden separation in multiple nails can signal hyperthyroidism, a condition where your metabolism speeds up.
9. Ridges in the Center of Your Nail
If you see ridges or stripes in the center of your nails and frequently pick at your cuticles, you may have habit-tic nail trauma. This condition is often tied to obsessive-compulsive behaviors and anxiety. Nail picking damages the matrix, leading to uneven nail growth.
10. Thick, Overgrown Nails
Thick, curved nails are referred to as “ram’s horn nails,” or onychogryphosis. This condition can be hereditary, or it may occur due to repeated trauma to the nails. It’s also associated with circulation problems, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes.
Pay Attention to Your Nails
Your nails can provide crucial clues about your overall health. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult your doctor or a dermatologist. Nail changes may seem minor, but they can be an important signal of underlying health issues. Don’t ignore what your nails are telling you—they might just be the key to uncovering bigger health concerns.
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