Have people ever taken a tough look at your fingernails and commented about your health? Did you think they were kidding you? Well, then you're in for a surprise! Your nails say a lot about you; if you are not healthy, your nails can leak that information to anybody who can read nails. Crazy, right? What exactly do you do about it? Read about these signs and look after your health accordingly so that your nails only spread good details about you. How? Well, we will help you with what your nails say in regards to you.
Let us first find out which signs are common and which are not.
What's good and what's not
Our fingernails are made of laminated layers of protein referred to as keratin. These grow at the base of the nail under the cuticle. If your fingernails are healthy, then they are likely to be smooth. They will not have pits, grooves and cracks. The colour of the fingernails too, is going to be uniform and consistent. You won't find spots or discolorations of any type on the nails if they are healthy.
Our nails develop vertical ridges which run from our cuticles to the nail tip. These ridges are unhealthy, however with age they become more prominent, and for that reason look awful. Our nails can also develop spots and lines. This could be because of injury or deficiency of vitamins.
Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges running from the cuticle to the tip from the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age. Fingernails can also develop white lines or spots because of injury, but these eventually grow by helping cover their the nail.
These ridges and spots are still normal; however, if you see any of the following signs, then you need to consult a dermatologist immediately:
- Discoloration from the entire nail or the appearance of a dark streak under the nail
- Alteration in nail shape, for instance curled nails
- Thinning of nails
- Thickening of nails
- Separation from the nail from the surrounding skin
- Bleeding around the nails
- Swelling around the nails
- Pain around the nails
Suggested read: Want Stronger Nails? Here's How!
What your nails say about you
Here are some signs that your nails are providing you with. To be able to read them, skim through this informative guide.
1. White Spots
Do you have little white clouds on your nails? Well, those white spots appear due to a systemic cause. Any guesses? The lack of calcium causes the appearance of these white spots.
These pesky dots may also be caused by trauma to the nail. A trauma towards the end of your finger too, can lead to these marks. Our nail is built by the matrix (layer of cells) at the base of your nail. If this matrix is damaged, these white spots develop.
Wearing nail polish for a long time also causes the breakdown of the nail matrix, which further results in formation of pesky white marks. If the white spots are powdery to look at, then it is best that you undergo an antifungal nail treatment to eliminate the white spots. However, if the spot is caused by trauma towards the nail, then it best to wait it out; the nails will grow soon.
2. Brittle Nails (Onychoschizia)
Weak nails may crack and become brittle. They get chipped, and for that reason, look very ugly. The 3 common factors that bring about brittle nails are aging, frequent exposure of the nails to water, and long-term use of nail polish and lacquers.
Certain diseases also cause brittle nails. Most typical of these include, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, lichen planus, alopecia areata, anemia, infection, psoriasis, lung conditions, and disorders within the endocrine.
Frequent use of astringent, nail polish removers, dehydration, lack and an extreme cold and dry environment may also cause brittle nails. Traumas and shocks can also result in nails cracking and becoming weak.
Other health problems that might have brittle nails like a primary symptom are hepatitis, jaundice, lupus or cardiovascular disease.
3. Yellow Nails
While yellow nails could be stains from nail polishes, it is also signs of a deadly disease like diabetes. If it's the former, then you can get rid of it through getting a good manicure. However, if it is the latter, then you need to visit a doctor and get yourself checked thoroughly. Yellow Nail Syndrome (the nail thickens first after which turns yellow) is a manifestation of respiratory disease like bronchitis.
According to the National Organization of Rare Disorders,
“Yellow nail syndrome is occasionally linked to the accumulation of fluid in the membranes surrounding the lungs and lining the chest area cavity (pleural effusion). Pleural effusions can cause shortness of breath, heart problems and a cough. Additional respiratory problems can happen in yellow nail syndrome such as chronic infection and inflammation from the main air passages (bronchial tubes) out of the lungs (bronchitis), destruction and widening from the small air passages out of the lung (bronchiectasis), ongoing inflammation of the membranes that line the sinus cavities (sinusitis) and/or chronic inflammation or infection of the lungs (recurrent pneumonias). Individuals with yellow nail syndrome could have a history of respiratory problems before developing characteristic nail findings.”
4. “Lifting” Nails (Onycholysis)
Do your nails appear separated in the nail bed? Are you a chef or perhaps a health care worker? Then, it is more probably to happen to you. But what is this. This condition is called Onycholysis, which is caused by irritation to the nail resulting from excessive water exposure.
Nail hardeners, manicure that's too aggressive, or use of glues can also cause damage to your hair. If you notice discoloration of your nails to white, green, or yell, then that may be caused by a thyroid condition. It is also caused by psoriasis to injury and infection. If you are noticing these
your doc if you think some thing serious could be the cause and then try to keep your hands dry whenever you can.
5. Vertical Ridges
Like we mentioned earlier within the post, vertical ridges are little difference that run up your nail, vertically. They aren't anything scary, but can be described as a sign of aging. To prevent this you need to keep your cuticles moisturized and nails hydrated all the time.
Suggested read: Here's The Best Nail Strengthening Polish You Need To Invest In Right Now
6. “Spoon” Nails (Koilonychia)
Are your nails curling up? If they are, then you need to start worrying! According to experts, a thin nail tends to become concave if this grows because of deficiency of iron. If you are anemic, you are more than likely to develop curled up fingernails. To fix this problem, you need to take iron supplements.
Also, consult a physician to find out if this is anything more than anemia. Spooned nails could also be caused liver disease, heart disease, and/or hypothyroidism.
7. Pitting Nails
Do your fingernails haven't much indents that appear like they were created by mini ice pick? This condition of pitting nails occurs mainly in people who have psoriasis which is a skin condition. Also anyone who has alopecia areata can also have the condition of pitting nails. For those of you who are not aware, alopecia areata is definitely an autoimmune disease that results in loss of hair patches.
To take care of this, try creams with vitamin A and vitamin D. You can also use steroid creams to deal with your condition. If you have psoriasis, then we suggest you visit a dermatologist and obtain the right treatment.
8. Clubbing
The last nail condition on our list is clubbing. If you feel your nails have become softer, however the nail tips are bulging, then you might be dealing with a major issue here. If you find an increase in the tissues round the edges of your fingers (around the nail curves), then you might be struggling with a lung disease.
According to experts, having low oxygen in blood may also cause this condition. Clubbing are also liked with inflammatory bowel diseases, AIDS, liver diseases and heart diseases.
Chronic cardiothoracic illness or respiratory problems can be contributors to clubbing of nails. If you notice this symptom, then it is suggested that you visit a specialist and get yourself thoroughly checked.
Suggested read: How To Treat Brittle Nails In your own home In No Time
That is all we have on today's post on which your nails say in regards to you. Was this helpful?
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