16 Things Your Nails Can Say About Your Health

Today, nails are mostly regarded as a purely aesthetic feature of our bodies. In fact, it is estimated that the global nail polish market will reach up to $15.55 billion by 2024. However, it turns out that your nails may not just be a platform of contemporary design but also a mirror of your general health status.

Trends found out how exactly the color, texture and other features of your nails can reflect your internal health problems.

The color of your nails

1. In most cases, yellow nails indicate a fungal infection. If not treated in time, this condition may worsen and your nails may even acquire a greenish tint and become crumbly. Other possible causes of the yellow color include aging, lung issues caused by smoking, and frequent usage of low-quality acrylic nails.
2. White nails with a strip of pink at the top (or Terry’s nails) can be a sign of congestive heart failure, kidney failure, diabetes, and some liver problems such as hepatitis or cirrhosis. Sometimes Terry’s nails may also be caused by aging.
3. If your nails are extremely pale, you probably have a nutritional deficiency or a circulation problem that prevents the blood from reaching your fingertips. In severe cases, this may even lead to anemia or an iron deficiency in your blood.
4. Dark red nails may indicate that you have heart disease. If the redness extends to the sides of your nails and cuticle, this might be a sign of an autoimmune disease called lupus.
5. Bluish or purple nails usually mean that your body doesn’t get enough oxygen. Among other possible causes are heart issues and lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
6. Other colors of your nails may be a sign of various health problems. For example, if your nails turn brown, this may indicate that you have a thyroid disease or nutritional problems. Grey tinted nails are usually caused by taking some prescription drugs like antimalarial pills.

The texture of your nails

1. Brittle, split nails are usually linked to hypothyroidism, a condition when your thyroid works too slowly. Dry and crumbly nails also may indicate a deficiency in vitamins A, C, and the vitamin B7 also known as biotin. Another possible reason for this nail problem is the overuse of nail polish remover.
2. Vertical ridges are usually a normal sign of aging, just like wrinkles on your face. But if they become more prominent at a young age, this may mean that you suffer from vitamin B12 or a magnesium deficiency.
3. Horizontal ridges (or Beau’s lines) are typically the result of direct trauma to your nail. However, if you see them on more than one nail at a time, they may also be a sign of a serious illness with a high fever such as scarlet fever or pneumonia.
4. Nail pitting may indicate skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It may also be an early sign of connective tissue disorders including inflammatory arthritis, a disease that affects your joints.

Nail growth