Any changes that occur to the shape, colour and texture of the nails could be a sign of something serious.
Some things that nails reveal about your health
Anaemic
When your nail bed is concave - imagine a droplet of water resting on the nail plate without rolling off - you have a condition known as koilonychia, or “spoon-shaped nails.” The condition is usually caused by an iron deficiency. If you notice your nails are concave, ask your doctor to run blood work to check for anaemia, says Dr Dana Stern, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine.
Inflammatory disease
Nail pitting, which looks like tiny little dents along the surface of the nail, is associated with psoriasis. The condition is also a symptom of Alopecia areata, a disease marked by hair loss.
Milking manicure for too long
If your nails are yellow, it’s usually caused from having nail polish on for an extended period of time and is no reason to worry, according to Dr. Stern. Take the polish off to let your nails breathe. The yellowing should be gone within a few days. If yellowing is prolonged, check in with a doctor to rule out a fungal infection.
Melanoma
“Pigmented bands in the nail are common and usually normal especially in people with darker complexions,” says Dr Stern. However, she notes that dark bands or stripes could also be a sign of cancer. Most people think melanoma starts in the skin, but it can also begin under the nail, specifically in the thumb, index finger and big toe nail. Keep an eye out for a single brown or black band and if there is a brownish pigment to the skin surrounding the nail. It’s hard to determine if a dark band is benign or something more serious, so head to a dermatologist for an evaluation if you notice something new.
Metal poisoning
Most white lines on the nail are normal or may have been caused by trauma - think banging or crushing the fingernail. However, white crescents that descend from the lunula (the white half moon at the top of the nail) can be serious. This is a telltale sign of Mees’ lines, a condition caused by arsenic or poisoning by other heavy metals. Dr Stern advises a full medical evaluation if you notice the condition. White crescents on the nail can also be a side effect of chemotherapy.
Circulatory problem
Some people have round nail beds genetically. But suddenly, swollen skin near the cuticles with nails that are bulbous - meaning the nail is shaped like an upside-down spoon - is a definite reason to have your hands and feet checked out. Nail clubbing is often a sign of a more serious disease related to the heart and lungs, such as emphysema, lung cancer, congenital heart disease, or cirrhosis.
Thyroid issues
Brittle nails that peel or split can be caused by certain medical conditions like an underactive thyroid, Rayndaud’s disease, and a protein deficiency. “If someone always had great nails and suddenly they are peeling or breaking excessively, check blood work including thyroid hormones,” says Dr Stern.
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