Don’t Ignore Mysterious Fingernail Symptoms – They Could Be Telling You Something’s Wrong.
Did you know that your fingernails can be direct signs of what is going on in your body and with your health? Having fingernail problems sometimes can mean that you need a manicure, but other times these fingernail symptoms can mean something else. If you’re looking at your nails right now and notice that one or two of them have odd fingernail symptoms, that’s probably nothing to worry about, but if you notice some of the things we outline here on all your nails, maybe you should take a trip to the doctor.
There are many reasons why you may be developing fingernail ridges or noticing new textures, here we’re going to address some common fingernail problems and why they occur.
What Are Common Fingernail Problems?
The Mayo Clinic came up with a list of 7 finger nail problems that shouldn’t be overlooked.
- Nail Pitting – This can look like little dents in the nail as if they’ve been hit with a mini ice pick. This can commonly been seen in people who have psoriasis and can also be related to connective tissue disorders.
- Nail Clubbing – Looks like the tips of your fingers have enlarged and your nails now curve around the tips of your fingers. This type of condition can sometimes mean there is a lack of oxygen in the blood, or a sign of a type of lung disease. It can also be associated with other conditions such as IBS, AIDS, liver disease or cardiovascular disease.
- Spoon Nails – The name of this condition describes the state of the nail. Your nail will spoon outward, be very soft, and possibly be able to hold a drop of liquid. This type of condition may be a sign of iron deficiency or a type of liver condition. This can also be associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.
- Terry’s Nails – This type of condition is often associated with age but can be identified as a mostly white nail minus a pink band at the tip. If not associated with old age, it can sometimes mean liver disease, congestive heart failure, kidney failure or diabetes.
- Beau’s Lines – This condition can be recognized as fingernail ridges across the middle of the nail. This can happen sometimes when there is damage done to the cuticle where the nail grows. This condition can also mean diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or zinc deficiency.
- Nail Separation – This is a condition in which the fingernail becomes loose and separates from the finger. The nail will then turn a creamy white color with a possible green tinge. Although this commonly accompanies injury it can also mean thyroid disease, psoriasis or simply a reaction to certain nail products.
- Yellow Nail Syndrome – This condition exhibits its self through fingernail symptoms where they thicken and begin to have a yellowish color. This condition can sometimes be a sign of respiratory disease, bronchitis or be a result of swollen hands.
Other fingernail symptoms to keep an eye out for are; brittle nails, soft or weak nails, black lines on your nails, fingernail ridges, no half-moons at the top of your nails or peeling.
How To Avoid Fingernail Problems?
When our bodies are healthy, our fingernails are probably healthy too. Maintaining a healthy diet by eating foods high in vitamins, minerals and nutrients will help give your nails what they need. If you follow certain diet rules, you also have the option of taking a high quality multivitamin to help with overall health plus nail health.
Healthy nails are recognized as nails that are smooth without discoloration. When in doubt, a visit to your doctor can help clear up any confusion about your overall health.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/nails/sls-20076131?s=7
