Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Just as hair and skin, your nails can be good barometers for possible health concerns. Closely examine your fingernails to see if there are any changes in color or texture as these subtle variations can give helpful clues about your health. While healthy pink nails are usually an indication of good health, nails that are extremely discolored, dry, split, flaky or display other abnormalities can be a red flag for deficiencies or diseases.

Signs of Healthy Fingernails

Fingernails, which are special structures growing from skin, are mostly composed of a material, known as keratin, which is a dead, tough substance. The nail is embedded to your skin at the bottom of a fingernail, in addition to a portion of it nail sides. Skin lying under the nail has elastic fibers that are attached to fingernails for supporting them. Although most of your fingernail is considerably thick, the skin near the roots is very thin.

Perfect or healthy nails should be smooth and somewhat shiny. They're strong, pink, and dont easily break.

Discolored Nails Indicating Health Problems

Discolored nails are a common signal for health problems.

Red nail beds can indicate serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, lung disease or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Greenish nails can be caused by a localized fungal infection or may be a sign of an internal bacterial infection.

Splintery, black spots under nails can indicate a serious heart infection, such as endocarditis, which involves an inflamed heart membrane. They can also be caused by a bleeding disorder.

Pitted brown spots under nails may indicate psoriasis, which is a skin and joint disorder. A lack of protein, folic acid or vitamin C can show up on nails as reddish-brown spots.

Colored lines on nails can suggest health problems. For example, red or brown streaks running along the long axis of nails can also be due to endocarditis or a parasitic infection caused by undercooked pork.

Darkish blue lines on nails can mean skin cancer, while small black lines can be a clue for heart disease.

Dark nails that are also flat, thin and spoon-shaped can indicate problems such as anemia or not enough Vitamin B-12. On the other hand, nails can turn dark or gray when exposed to cleaning supplies such as bleach or an item that can cause an allergic reaction.

White nails can indicate possible kidney or liver disease; anemia is another disease that can cause nails to be white, while white nails containing pink near the tips can be symptom of cirrhosis of the liver.

Abnormal Nail Shapes and Conditions

Carefully example your nails for irregular shapes and any unusual conditions.

Flat nails can hint of a lack of protein or iron in the body, as well as diabetes or psoriasis. Dark flat nails can indicate a shortage of Vitamin B-12. This condition may also signal a disease affecting blood circulation known as Raynauds disease.

Nails that curve downward can signify liver, heart or lung problems.

Thick nails can be due to a weakened cardiovascular system or poor blood circulation. Thyroid disease can also cause nails to thicken.

About Brittle Nails

Symptoms and signs of brittle nails are nails tips that peel,easily break or may be unable to grow out. Usually dry brittle nails are a normal result of getting older. Besides being brittle, older people can have dull, yellowish nails because of a decreased flow of natural oils and moisture to their nails. However, they can also be caused by zinc, iron and calcium deficiencies or by thyroid problems.

Moisture shortages, besides excess moisture, can cause brittle nails to become even more brittle. Too much hand lotion or moisturizer and excess time underwater can make mails too soft so they can tear. Other factors for brittle nails include detergents, dry heat, harsh chemicals and nail polish removers.

Finally, dont try to second guess why your nails look abnormal, but always consult a medical professional. Whats more, be sure you have a healthy diet, avoiding junk food and other foods that can contribute to irregularities such as brittle nails.

Sources

Pamelaegan: Fingernails (date accessed 10-11-2011)

Hand Research; What Causes Dry Brittle Nails? by Pradeep Chauhan; April 25, 2008 (date accessed 10-11-2011)

U.S. National Library of Medicine; Brittle Nails; May 11, 2011 (date accessed 10-12-2011)

Disabled World: Nail Color (date accessed 10-12-2011)

Helping People Survive: Nail Self Diagnosis (date accessed 10-12-2011)

Dr. Lera: Nails Problems (date accessed 10-13-2011)

Badhon Hara: What Are Fingernails Made Of (date accessed 10-13-2011)