Do you know that the length, form, and texture of your nails are viewed as windows into every part of your human anatomy?
While certain nail symptoms are generally undetectable, others may be signs of a persistent condition, even cancer. Additionally, the development of the nails may be a sign of a health issue.
From month to month, healthy nails can grow up to 3.5 millimeters. The most common ones include trauma, drugs, nutritional status, and the aging process. However, there are some factors that might have a significant impact on their development.
Therefore if you notice some changes in your nails, such as discoloration, swelling, changes fit and thickness, you ought to immediately consult a dermatologist.
10 Nail Symptoms and What They Mean for Your Health
1. Yellow Nails
There are many factors which could contribute to the yellow color of your nails. The most common are smoking, aging, and utilization of nail polish and acrylic nails.
The underlying cause may also be a fungal illness. Even though rarely, conditions like psoriasis, respiratory disease, diabetes, and thyroid infection can be the cause.
2. Dry, Cracked or Brittle Nails
In this case, there are numerous factors that play an crucial role: the exposure to chemicals, residing in an area with low humidity, using nail polish remover often, having your hands in water regularly.
Other noteworthy causes of cracking and splitting are fungal disease and thyroid illness, especially hypothyroidism. Deficiency in biotin or vitamins C and A can cause brittle nails.
3. Clubbing
Clubbing is definitely an enlargement of the fingertips. Also, the nails become curved downward. It can be related to low oxygen in the blood, inflammatory bowel infection, AIDS, kidney illness, heart problems and lung infection.
4. White Spots
White spots on the nails indicate nail upheaval. Typically, they do not represent some serious problem, and tend to fade away. Nevertheless , there are some cases where they can be a sign of fungal illness.
5. Horizontal Ridges
Horizontal
ridges can be a results of uncontrolled diabetes, psoriasis,
circulatory disease, and zinc deficiency. Mees is another type of
horizontal line that can occur as a result of leprosy, arsenic
poisoning, Hodgkin’s illness, malaria, and carbon monoxide poisoning.
6. Vertical Ridges
Vertical ridges most frequently are sign of aging and they occur at older people. However, they could also indicate nutrient deficiency like deficiency in vitamin B12 and magnesium.
7. Spoon Nails
If your nails curve upward at the edges, resembling a spoon, this can indicate iron deficiency, hypothyroidism or heart disease.
8. Pitting
Multiple pits on the nails indicate psoriasis. It can be also caused by connective tissue disorders, or alopecia areata, an infection that creates hair loss.
9. Dark Discolorations
If you have black streaks and painful growth of your nails, you should immediately visit your doctor because this could indicate melanoma.
10. White Nails with a Strip of Pink
The nails that are white with a strip of pink can be a sign of kidney failure, liver infection, diabetes, and congestive heart failure.
Simple Nail Care Guidelines
Ensure that you eat a proper and balanced diet full of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and protein
Keep consitently the nails trimmed relatively short
Limit the utilization of artificial nails and nail polish
Protect your nails from extortionate exposure to chemicals or water
Keep your nails moisturized by rubbing some coconut oil onto them on a regular basis
