Everyone wishes for beautiful nails, and most people include some sort of nail care in their daily regimen. However, did you know that nails can say a lot more than just how well you groom yourself? Your nails can display symptoms which dermatologists and naturopaths can use to diagnose many health problems. Here is a selection of the top seven most important signals shown through the nails.
- Finger clubbing Finger clubbing is a condition where the fingertip is wide and the nails are shiny and convex. This is often caused by low oxygen levels in the blood. This condition occurs in lung problems, heart conditions or stomach and intestinal problems.
- Ripples
If the nail is rippled, this can be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. For 10% of the people who have psoriasis, it started in the nails. This may be accompanied with a reddish tinge. - Thin, flaky nails
People who have this problem often have a vitamin deficiency. If the nails are also a slight yellow colour, this may indicate a fungus. - Beau’s lines
These are transverse grooves or lines on the toenails and fingernails. These lines are caused by a disturbance in the formation of protein in the nail plate. Possible causes of this disruption are syphilis, uncontrolled diabetes, malnutrition, severe metabolic disorders or calcium or zinc deficiency. - Vertical stripes
These stripes are not too serious and often appear with old age. Some people have them more than others, and on rare occasions this can occur because of a lack of vitamins. - Pale or white nails
Very pale or white nails increase with old age, but it could also be a sign of serious disorders, such as heart failure, vitamin deficiency, liver disease and anaemia. - Dark Strokes
Dark bands under your fingernails can sometimes be caused by skin cancer, so quickly visit your doctor for a check-up.
Do you recognize any of these symptoms? Taking care of our nails should be a priority for us, especially when they can tell us so much about our health. If you are concerned, pay a visit to your doctor.