Our body has
its own “language”, and whenever something is wrong, it makes sure to send us
various signals.
Some of
these signals are rather obvious, such as pain or fever. Others are very subtle
like a slight change in the texture, appearance and color of our fingernails
The latter
often tends to go unnoticed until it is too late.
Fingernails
can reveal some of the most dreaded diseases, some of which can be fatal if
they are not diagnosed in the beginning stages.
This is why
it is crucial to keep an eye on your nails and pay attention to even the
slightest change.
Look at the
ridges, dips, grooves as well as the curves that may occur.
Do not
forget to check out whether your nails have become thicker or thinner than
usual. If your nails have suddenly started to change, touch base with your
health care provider.
They may run
a series of tests to determine if there is anything to be concerned about.
Having said
that, below you will find 15 of the most important warning signs your
fingernails may be sending.
1. Redness
Around The Nails
If you
notice your nail bed has turned red rather than pink as it should be, this
might indicate a severe heart disease.
Although
this is only one of the possible explanations for the sudden color shift, there
are tens of other potential culprits behind it.
On the other
hand, if you see the redness has extended to the cuticles and sides of your
nails, this
might
indicate Lupus.
It is one of
the most common autoimmune diseases that triggers an abnormal immune system
response, making your body attack itself.
Fortunately,
even if it turns out that Lupus is the cause of that bothersome redness in your
nails,
you can
easily keep this condition under control, with the right treatments.
2. Terry’s
Nails
Terry’s
Nails is an informal name given to unusually white nails. If you noticed your
nails turned white for no apparent reason, there are usually two explanations.
One, your nails
have started to detach from the nail bed and the blood supply was either
partially or completely interrupted (which, one again, might be the sign of a
more serious condition).
Two, you
have developed a fungal nail infection.
If you
suspect that you might be suffering from this condition, take a look at your
fingernail tips to see whether they are reddened or dark.
Aside from
the fact that Terry’s Nails can be a very unsightly condition that impacts
one’s self-esteem, it can also indicate a series of dangerous conditions>
Iron-deficiency
Anemia
Diabetes
Organ
failure
Liver
cirrhosis
Hyperthyroidism
On the other
hand, it is not uncommon for cancer patients who have been subjected to
extended chemotherapy treatments to develop Terry’s Nails at a certain point.
3. Thick And
Overgrown Nails
Have you
noticed that your fingernails became a lot thicker than they used to be, or
that they grow at a
faster pace
than they normally do?
This might
actually be the direct result of a serious fungal nail infection. This often
leads not only to the extreme thickening of the nails, but also to their
discoloration.
Some of the
most common culprits behind thickened and overgrown nails include arthritis or
psoriasis. However your health care provider is the only one able to give an
accurate diagnosis.
4. Nails
Detached From The Nail Bed
If your
nails have started to detach themselves from the nail bed and this is not the
result of trauma or pressure, this might indicate a hormonal imbalance in your
body.
As a matter of
fact, separated nails are often indicative of hyperthyroidism. This common
condition occurs when your thyroid gland is releasing more hormones into your
bloodstream than it is supposed to.
If this is
the case, then your doctor might recommend several natural treatments to help
you manage or even reverse your hyperthyroidism.
5. Dark
Vertical Stripes Along The Nail
This is one
of the most obvious and dangerous warning signals your fingernails can send,
and the medical term for this condition is actually “linear melanochia”.
Unfortunately,
many people choose to overlook these dark stripes that emerge along their
nails. Why… because it does not cause them any pain.
But this can
actually indicate a form of skin cancer that affects only the nail bed, known
as “Subungal Melanoma”.
Melanoma is
known to be the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and the sooner it is
diagnosed, the easier it is to cure it.
6. Blue
Nails
If your
nails suddenly turned purple or blue, then this may be indicative of hypoxia
(lack of oxygen), which is often triggered by an impaired circulation to your
peripheral areas (your feet, hands, ears and such).
Most of the
time, blue or purple nails do not indicate any serious health problem. This
minor blood circulation problem can be easily reversed with natural remedies.
7. Small
Depressions Or Dents On The Surface Of The Nails
Have you
noticed some small depressions/dents on your nails, and you do not remember
seeing them there before?
If so, then
these small dents might indicate reactive arthritis (a serious type of
arthritis that is somewhat similar to Lupus to a certain extent, and that
occurs when your immune system starts to attack the joints), psoriasis, or
eczema.
Statistically
speaking, approximately half of the individuals who suffer from psoriasis also
have small dents or depressions along their nails, this is why it is highly
recommended to see a dermatologist.
8.
Discolored Nails
Nails can
easily become discolored and they can shift their color from a natural, healthy
pink to black, yellow, grey, brown or even green, and it is essential to know
what each color stands for.
For
instance, if your nails have slowly started to turn green, this might indicate
nail psoriasis or a severe fungal nail infection, although it can also indicate
jaundice, tuberculosis, sinusitis, lymphoma or even chronic paronychia, which
is an infection that affects your nail fold.
On the other
hand, grey nails are usually triggered by various prescription drugs such as
antimalarial
medications,
whereas brown nails may indicate malnutrition or even thyroid disease (either
hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism).
If you
notice that your nails have two distinct colors, however (for instance, they
may be half brown and half white). This might indicate liver failure, which is
known to trigger changes in the natural melanin production (melanin being the
hormone responsible for skin pigmentation).
Almost 50%
of those who suffer from kidney failure reported having this nail condition.
9. Spoon
Nails
Medically
known as “Koilonychia”, this is a condition that occurs when your nails are
excessively soft and look scooped out, similar to the shape of a spoon.
There are
two health conditions commonly associated with spoon nails. Hemochromatosis,
which is a liver problem that causes your body to absorb too much iron, and
hypothyroidism.
However,
spoon nails may also indicate other severe conditions that should not be
ignored, ranging all the way from heart disease and anemia to an impaired blood
flow to your nails or even a form of Lupus known as “Lupus Erythematosus”.
10. Frail
And Brittle Nails
This is by
far one of the most common nail conditions. It has happened to almost all of us
at least once.
Healthy
nails may crumble or to become thin, frail and brittle. This usually indicates
a lack of vitamins (typically Vitamin B7). This can be easily resolved by
taking a multivitamin supplement.
However, if
your nails are still crumbly and brittle after you have taken supplements, you
might want to run some in-depth medical tests.
This
condition – brittle nails – are also associated with nail psoriasis, thyroid
problems or fungal nail infections (usually treated easily with a course of
antifungal pills).
In rare
cases, lichen planus may be to blame for frail nails.
11. White
Stripes On The Nails
As mentioned
above, dark-colored stripes along your nails may indicate a type of nail
cancer, but what about the white stripes on the nails?
This nail
condition is actually very common amongst children who do not have a balanced
and nutritious diet, as it indicates a lack of proteins.
Fortunately,
the white stripes tend to disappear quickly, after increasing your intake of
fish, nuts, seeds, lean meats and other sources of natural and high-quality
protein.
12. Curved
Nails
Also known
as “nail clubbing”, this is a condition characterized by an unnaturally large
nail bed that tends to curve around the tips of the fingers.
This is a
slow and gradual process that takes place over the course of several years. It
is usually triggered by hypoxia (lack of oxygen).
However,
nail clubbing has also been associated with other more serious conditions, from
IBS and lung disease to liver disease, cardiovascular problems and even AIDS.
This is why
it should not be neglected.
13. Loose
Nails
Have your
nails started to become loose and they detach fairly easily from the nail bed?
This often happens when you hit your fingers.
If you have
not suffered any injury to the fingers or toes, the chances are that you may be
suffering from:
Psoriasis of
the nails
Fungal nail
infections
Excessive
protein level in the blood (known as amyloidosis)
Hyperthyroidism
(which occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive)
Raynaud’s
disease (which is not half as bad as it sounds – this is actually a medical term
commonly used for poor blood circulation)
Sarcoidosis
However, in
rare cases the nails tend to become loose after a severe allergic reaction to
antibiotics and other products.
Most of the
time the nail tends to re-attach to the nail bed as it starts to grow. Unless
your nails become loose and fall, this slight detachment should cause no
concern.
14. Blue
Nail Base
We discussed
what blue or white nails might indicate, but what about white nails accompanied
by a blue nail base?
This is
often the sign of a lack of nutrients, such as iron deficiency.
Nails become
very white and also gives the nail base a blue or, in some cases, even a purple
color.
This nail
condition might indicate a problem with your liver or your pancreas. At the
same time, it is also very common amongst those who suffer from Diabetes in the
incipient stage.
It also
occurs when your body becomes unable to properly process and metabolize sugars
(which is usually the result of an insulin deficiency that is commonly linked
to type II diabetes).
15. Yellow
Nails
Yellow is
often associated with an unpleasant fungal infection, and for a good reason.
If your
fingernails or toenails have slowly started to get a yellow hue. You might want
to try some anti fungal tablets or topical ointments.
A natural
method could use some essential oils – tea tree oil – being the most commonly
used one, in this situation.
However, if
you have tried various natural treatments for your potential fungal nail
infection and none of them actually worked, your yellow nails may not indicate
a fungal infection after all.
They may
also indicate a serious lung problem, such as the accumulation of fluid around
the pleurae (the thin membrane that surrounds your lungs) or emphysema, neither
of which should be overlooked.
The Bottom
Line
To sum it
all up, these are 15 of the most common warning signs that your nails are
trying to send you.
It is
important never to try and diagnose yourself based solely on the aspect of your
nails: regardless of how sure you are that you might be suffering from one
condition on another.
Only a
professional and certified doctor can help you get a precise diagnose, based
both on your physical symptoms and your blood tests.
Most of the
time, these slight changes in the texture or color of your nails indicate a
small vitamin
or mineral
deficiency.
Other times they can also hide potentially life-threatening
conditions that can have devastating effects, when not treated correctly
