What Your Nails Say About Your Health
Nails & Health: Read the Signs
- 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 & heart can show up in your nails.
- Keep reading to learn what secrets your nails might reveal.
Pale Nails
Very pale nails can sometimes be a sign of serious illness, such as:
- Anemia
- Congestive heart failure
- Liver disease
- Malnutrition
White Nails
- If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as
hepatitis. - In this image, you can see the fingers are also jaundiced, another sign of liver trouble.
Yellow Nails
- One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection.
- As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract & nails may thicken & crumble.
- In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid
disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.
Bluish Nails
- Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen.
- This could indicate a lung problem, such as emphysema.
- Some heart problems can be associated with bluish nails.
Rippled Nails
- If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or
inflammatory arthritis. - Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.
Cracked or Split Nails
- Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease.
- Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal
infection.
Puffy Nail Fold
- If the skin around the nail appears red & puffy, this is known as inflammation of the
nail fold. - It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.
- Infection can also cause redness and inflammation of the nail fold.
Dark Lines Beneath the Nail
- Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible.
- They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.
Gnawed Nails
- Biting your nails may be nothing more than an old habit, but in some cases it's a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment.
- Nail biting or picking has also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
- If you can't stop, it's worth discussing with your doctor.
Nails Are Only Part of the Puzzle
- Though nail changes accompany many conditions, these changes are rarely the first
sign. - And many nail abnormalities are harmless & not everyone with white nails has hepatitis.
- If you're concerned about the appearance of your nails, see your doctor or a
dermatologist.
Copyright © 2012-2019 KosherWoman.com
All rights reserved.
