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How Fingernails Indicate Health Problems

The Nails Can Show Early Warning of Illness and Disease

Sep 7, 2009 Noreen Kassem

Fingernails (and toenails) can reveal a surprising amount of information about the health of the body. Here are some symptoms to look for with changes in the nails.

Symptoms that occur as changes on the fingernails (and sometimes the toenails) may be among the first signs of an internal disease or that something is wrong. Liver, gastrointestinal, blood and lung disorders can cause changes in the state of the fingernails including in shape, color and texture.

Nails Show Signs of Illnesses and Disease

Anemia

In a healthy, disease free body, the bed of the fingernails should be light pink. If there is an iron deficiency or reduced red blood cell production, the nail beds lighten to an almost white shade. Spoon nails occur when the fingernails soften and curl inwards at the sides, becoming concave in appearance. Known as koilonychias, this is also a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Anemia can be a symptom of several other serious diseases; the cause should be investigated.

Liver Disease

When the nails become opaque (not transparent) and white, this may indicate liver disease.

Kidney Problems

A condition known as half-and-half nail, in which a lower portion of the nail bed is white while the top half is pink may be a sign of kidney disease.

Heart Failure and Diabetes

Nails which lighten and also have a dark band at the tip may be due to congestive heart failure or diabetes. Horizontal grooves across all fingernails indicates that an illness interrupted or slowed healthy nail growth. Like the rings in a tree this can be determined by doctors and is usually due to uncontrolled diabetes, heart disease or other severe, prolonged illnesses.

Long periods of poor nutrition can also cause ridges in the nails, this is often more noticeable in the big toenails.

Thyroid Problem

Brittle, easily peeled fingernails indicate thyroid, kidney or circulation problems.

Psoriasis

Brittle and pitted nails indicate psoriasis, a skin disorder that causes scaling.

Lung Condition

Nails that turn a blue or purple shade signal a lack of oxygen which may be caused by a lung condition. And nails that curve downwards may indicate heart, liver or lung problems, or even arsenic poisoning.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bumps on nails may be signs of rheumatoid arthritis.

Nasal Polyps and Chronic Sinus Infections

Respiratory tract problems such as chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps may be indicated by a yellowing of the nails.

Bacterial Infection

An infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacteria, can turn nails a green shade. Antibiotics clear up this condition.

Fungal Infection

Thickened, uneven and cloudy nails on the fingers or toes are usually a sign of a fungal infection, called onychomycosis. This condition is usually very obvious and should be cleared up with an anti-fungal as quickly as possible for best results.

Skin Cancer

Pigmentation spots or moles appearing on the skin are usually causes of concern as they may indicate melanoma, a potentially deadly skin cancer. Nails should also be checked as a brown or black streak or spot under a nail that appears for no reason and remains, may be a sign of this skin cancer. These spots may just be blood pooled under the nail due to an injury.

It's important to pay attention to changes in the shape, texture, color and state of fingernails. However don’t be overly alarmed as many changes are not due to an underlying condition.

The copyright of the article How Fingernails Indicate Health Problems in General Medicine is owned by Noreen Kassem. Permission to republish How Fingernails Indicate Health Problems in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.