3. Thickened nails
There are a few reasons for having thick nails but they are commonly caused a fungal nail infection, but can also result from psoriasis and reactive arthritis (a painful form of inflammatory arthritis). Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails can also indicate lung diseases.
4. Loose nails
When the fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed, it may indicate an injury or infection, as well as thyroid disease, psoriasis, poor circulation or allergic reaction to medicine.
5. Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia)
When your finger nails curve inwards and look scooped out, it may indicate iron-deficiency (anemia), hemachromatosis (liver condition which results in iron overlaod), Raynaud’s disease (that affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes), heart disease and hypothyroidism.
6. Pitting or dents on the nails
Pitting or small dents on your nails can indicate psoriasis, eczema, reactive arthritis, and alopecia areata (hair loss due to autoimmune disease).
7. Grooves across the fingernails (Beau’s lines)
If you notice deep lines or grooves that run across the nail, it might be a result of having chemotherapy, a previous injury, exposure to cold temperatures, Raynaud’s disease that affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes, diabetes, vascular disease, zinc deficiency and illnesses associated with a high fever.
8. Nail clubbing
This is when the fingertips and nails are unusually curved around the fingertips. It can be harmless due to increased blood flow to the fingertips, and can run in families, but if it suddenly occurs, it may indicate low oxygen level in the blood that can indicate lung disease, as well as other ailments such as heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), liver disease and AIDS.
9. White lines running across the nails
In this case the lines run parallel to the base of the fingernail. Don’t confuse it with white spots or streaks that are normal, but when there are parallel white lines across the nails, it’s a sign of low levels of protein in the blood, which can be due to malnutrition or liver disease.
10. Dark stripes running down the nails
This is common among black people and in most cases it’s normal. However sometimes it may indicate a skin cancer that affects the nail bed, called subungual melanoma. Generally, this type of cancer only affects one nail.
11. Red or brown little streaks under the nails
These are usually lines of blood caused by tiny damaged blood vessels and are called splinter hemorrhages. This is nothing to worry about, but if many nails are affected, it may indicate another underlying disease.
Don’t ignore your fingernails and the health signs they indicate. Have a closer look at you nails more often to keep an eye on your health. Your nails and your overall health are closely related and offer you a window into your health.
At Healthy and Natural World, our mission is to empower people to take control of their own health by providing comprehensive, practical and well researched information.
