What Your Nails Say About You
If eyes are the windows to the soul, then fingernails are the windows to your health. From simply looking at changes in the compressed keratin that sits atop our fingertips, doctors can sometimes identify the first signs of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, lung disorders, liver and kidney problems, as well as certain vitamin deficiencies. Watch for changes in previously healthy fingernails, and bring up any concerns to your health care provider.
The List
- Pale, white nail beds: Anemia or liver problems
- Horizontal ridges (sometimes called Beau’s lines): Circulatory problems, diabetes. Can also be caused by a severe illness, like a high fever or pneumonia.
- Vertical ridges: Not usually a cause for concern, but could be an iron deficiency.
- Dry or brittle: Vitamin A or iron deficiency
- Hang nails: Lack of protein, folic acid, or vitamin C
- White bands: Protein deficiency
- Splitting nails: Hydrochloric acid deficiency
- Pits or depression in the nails: Psoriasis
- Darkening of nails: Insufficient vitamin B12
- White spots: Zinc deficiency
- Yellow, thick, slow-growing nails: Lung problems
- Yellow-tinted nails with blue colour at the base: Diabetes
- Half white, half pink nails: Kidney problems
- Red beds: Heart disease
- Rippling of the nail surface: Psoriasis or arthritis
- Inversion of the nail: Lung problems
- Red lines at base of nail fold: Lupus or connective tissue disease
- Dark lines under the nail: Melanoma
- Nail coming off nail bed: Thyroid disease, psoriasis, or allergic reaction to nail products
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