What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Take Off More Than Your Clothes

If you are planning your annual physical or any other exam by your family physician you would do well to leave the make up and nail polish off. It is not just the body that we need to disrobe for our family doctor as there are many clues lurking in our appearance that give our doctor an indication of underlying health issues. By adding foundation to our skin, or color to our nails we may be covering up vital information that should be shared with our health care provider.

In reading some of the articles written by Chan Lee Peng we find that many clues to our overall health are found in our appearance:

• Secrets to a Beautiful Complexion
• 11 Alarming and Critical Conditions of the Eyes
• 26 Signs of Illnesses You Must Watch Out For

By paying close attention to these signs we can learn much about our own health and know when it may be wise to schedule an early appointment with our physician because many diseases are more easily treated in the initial stages.

Nails are Mostly Protein

At Cool Nurse we learn that nails are composed mainly of protein, which is mainly comprised of keratin. The healthy nail grows at the rate of .05 to 1.2 millimeters per week. The nail bed is considered the skin from which the nail grows and should be pink or dark pink, indicating a healthy blood flow. Nails should range in shades of pink to brown or black, depending on the skin color, but one thing we can be sure of the appearance of our nails can help our doctor pin point health concerns. Diets low in protein may slow the growth of the nail, and things like smoking and dying one’s hair, or polishing nails may also discolor them. Nails may become dry or brittle due to detergents and harsh weather. 

Further research at Mayoclinic.com advises that the following unhealthy nail conditions may indicate:

Yellow

Respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis or even a separation of the cuticle and the nail may be present. There are other conditions which will yellow the nail and inhibit nail growth.

Pitting

Chronic dermatitis of your fingers or alopecia areata which is an autoimmune disease which causes hair loss. Small depressions in the nails are common in those with psoriasis. They can also be caused from nail injuries. The nails may become pitted and crumble.

Clubbing

This occurs when the tips of your fingers enlarge and the nails curve around the fingertips. One common cause of this is low oxygen levels in your blood and may be an indication of lung disease. It can also be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease.

Spooning

A nail that is soft and looks scooped out can be an indication of low iron. The depression actually becomes large enough to hold liquid in the sunken area of the nail.

Terry’s Nails

The lower part of the nail is light colored while there is a darker band of color surrounding the tip. This may be an indication of several health issues other than old age including; malnutrition, liver disease, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.

Beau’s Lines

This is the name referring to nail’s which have indentations running across them. The line may be caused by an injury to the nail or serious illness. Diseases associated with this type of nail are; uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory diseases such as peripheral artery disease, an illness associated with high fever, caused by pneumonia, scarlet fever, measles or mumps, and malnutrition.

Nail Separating from the Nail Bed

Other than being caused by an injury such as hitting the nail with a hammer, this can be an indication of on adverse reaction to drugs, medications, nail hardeners, or acrylic nails or a symptom of psoriasis, thyroid disease, an injury or infection

Nail Biting

This is another health problem that may indicate either stress this patient is undergoing or an obsessive-compulsive behavior

Our finger nails, eyes, and complexion speak volumes about our well being. We need to learn how to listen and take better care of ourselves. If your nails look like any of those shown above, improve your diet and please schedule an appointment with your health care provider. Don’t just cover them up.