Your fingernails might be more revealing than you think, offering key clues about your overall health.
While nails serve the practical purpose of protecting the skin beneath, they can also signal various medical conditions, from nutritional deficiencies to potentially life-threatening diseases.
Dr Dan Baumgardt, a general practitioner, explains that nails can be a diagnostic tool for many conditions. For instance, clubbing, which is when nails lose their angle and soften, often signals low blood oxygen levels, sometimes linked to lung cancer or heart valve infections.
On the other hand, white or discolored nails might suggest liver disease or diabetes, especially when the entire nail turns pale due to protein deficiencies.
Nails can also show signs of fungal infections, particularly when they develop a yellow or white tint, especially on toenails. Furthermore, changes in nail shape, such as the inward curve seen in koilonychia, could point to anemia or other blood-related disorders.
Although some nail changes are harmless, such as those caused by trauma or excessive hand washing, persistent alterations in texture, shape, or color should not be ignored.
Conditions like Beau’s lines, horizontal ridges on the nails, can indicate nutrient deficiencies, including zinc or protein deficiencies, while brittle nails could signal hypothyroidism or vitamin B7 deficiency.
It’s important to remember that while nails provide valuable information about your health, any significant, lasting changes should prompt a visit to a doctor for further evaluation and diagnosis.