Grooves, streaks, colour and splits in our fingernails… they all give us clues about the state of our health. Changes in your nails may even be a signal to see your doctor right away! Here is what I learned from Mayo Clinic, WebMD, Boots, and skincare.about.com about how our health affects fingernail growth and appearance…. and ways to correct minor problems.
Pale nails can simply be linked to aging, but they can also be a sign of a serious problem, such as anemia, heart failure, liver disease or malnutrition.
White nails, also known as “Terry’s nails”, are nails that are mostly white but with darker rims. They can be caused by liver disease, such as hepatitis, heart failure or diabetes.
Yellowed nails can be caused by smoking or using dark coloured nail polish without a protective base coat underneath. However, yellow discolouring can also be caused by a fungal infection. If this is the cause, you may also see separation of the nail from the nail bed, nail thickening and crumbling of the nail as the infection progresses. Yellowed nails can also occasionally be associated with thyroid disease, lung disease (such as chronic bronchitis), swelling of the hands (lymphedema), or psoriasis.
Bluish nails can indicate the body is lacking oxygen. Hospitals will often request that nail polish be removed before surgery so natural nail colour can be checked as an indication of oxygen levels during the procedure. Lung problems like emphysema and some heart problems can also be associated with bluish nails.
Rippled or pitted nails may be an early sign of psoriasis, or other connective tissue diseases. These can also be a sign of alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that causes hair loss. With pitted nails, the skin under the nail may also appear reddish brown.
Cracked nails or nails that split in layers have been connected with thyroid disease. However if yellowish colour is also present, cracking may be due to a fungal infection.
Puffiness around the nail is known as inflammation of the nail fold. This can because by lupus or another connective tissue disorder but can also be caused by infection. Try a non-prescription antibiotic but, if not improved within 2 or 3 days, see your doctor.
Dark streaks that run the length of the nail could be caused by melanoma under the nail – see your doctor as soon as possible!
Nail biting (onchophagia) or picking can be just an old habit but could also be a sign of persistent anxiety or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Nail separation, known as oncholysis, can be caused by injury or infection, or by a reaction to a product such as a nail hardener or adhesive. Thyroid disease or psoriasis can also cause detached nails.
Beau’s lines are indentations that run across the nails. Interruption of nail growth by injury or severe illness, such as high fever or pneumonia, can be a cause. Uncontrolled diabetes, zinc deficiency or chemotherapy treatment can also cause Beau’s lines.
Spoon nails, or koilonychia, are soft nails that scoop outwards. These are often a sign of either too little iron (iron deficiency anemia) or too much iron (hemochromatosis). Spoon nails can also be associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.
Nail clubbing, is the enlargement of the tips of the fingers with nails that curve over the fingertips, a condition that develops over the course of years. It’s the result of low oxygen in the blood and could be a sign of lung disease. Nail clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and AIDS.
Lengthwise ridges in nails are very common and appear more frequently as people age. They are generally caused by a lack of moisture so applying oil or lotion around the nails often can help prevent this problem. You can also smooth ridges away with a nail file (four sided nail buffers are recommended) – just be cautious not to file too hard or too long, as this may cause irritation or inflammation of the nail bed and excessive thinning of the nail.
So, that problem with your nails may be a cosmetic issue or it could be a signal of a serious health problem. It’s probably a good idea to discuss it with your doctor at your next visit, just to be sure!
Presuming a serious underlying disease is not causing your nail problem, here are four key nutrients you can add to your diet to improve the health of your nails…
Protein – Nails are made of keratin, a protein. If meat, eggs and other protein-rich foods are part of your regular diet… no worries! But if you are a strict vegan, make sure you have adequate vegetable protein sources, such as quinoa, beans, and tofu, included every day.
Zinc – A lack of dietary zinc can result in weak, slow growing nails with white spots. Sources of zinc include oysters, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, lamb, beef and oats.
Iron – As discussed above, a lack of iron can result in thin, curved nails with ridges. In addition to red meat, leafy greens (e.g. spinach and kale), and shellfish are good sources of iron.
Biotin – One of the B-vitamins, biotin, promotes healthy cell growth and metabolism of protein-building amino acids, and these promote healthy nails and hair. Biotin is found in swiss chard, eggs, wheat germ, whole grains, and salmon.
And, if it seems too difficult to add foods with these nutrients to your diet, there are supplements available that contain what you need. Ask your pharmacist or a pharmacy cosmetic specialist!
