Doctor Uncovers 7 Health Issues You Can Notice Just by Looking at Your Nails

You can discover a lot‌ about someone just by ‍looking‍ at their fingernails, especially regarding health. Changes in shape and color ‍can show medical issues like psoriasis, ⁤heart problems, and even cancer. But don’t​ panic if your nails are brittle or​ discolored; this usually happens due to injuries, moisture, bad ⁣diet, or ⁤aging.

“For most people, nail health often shows poor nutrition‌ or digestion,” ​says Dr. Sara Norris from Los ⁤Angeles. “Brittle⁢ and peeling nails​ are common complaints I⁢ see in my⁣ practice; these signs usually ⁤come from a ⁤bad ​diet⁤ rather‌ than serious illness.”

So if ⁣your nails ‌fit this description don’t stress too much! But if the ‍problem doesn’t go away on its own‌ or⁤ comes with other symptoms (like tiredness, swelling,‍ weight loss), talk to a doctor.

“Deep lines across your fingernails are called Beau’s lines,” explains Dr. ⁤Bhavini Shah of Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor. These lines show up when nail⁣ growth slows​ down for a bit. “This temporary stop is often caused by serious illness or ‍infection; some people got⁣ Beau’s lines‌ after having COVID-19.” In severe cases, the nail might stop growing ⁢enough to create ⁤a gap known ‍as onychomadesis which can ‍happen after major ‌stress like chemotherapy or high fevers.

Beau’s lines may appear and disappear without being alarming but if ‍it ‌keeps‌ happening​ or you⁢ have onychomadesis visit your GP ‍to find ⁢out⁢ what⁢ could be ⁢wrong.

Clubbed​ fingernails ⁣also affect fingertips as they ‌curve downwards causing swelling and​ discomfort over time without ‌you ‍noticing‌ it ⁢right away. “Usually red or purple spots under your nails come from an injury but if you see them​ without remembering hurting yourself then it⁣ might be wise to see a doctor since they could signal heart disease,” says ‍Shah.

“Clubbing may suggest heart disease which is one of the leading causes​ of death globally.”​ This condition makes the nail curve over rounded fingertips creating a bulbous look along with ⁣other signs like extreme tiredness and swollen ⁣ankles!

“Spoon-shaped nails that ⁢dip inward might mean iron-deficiency anemia,”⁢ states Dr. Shah. “This issue is​ common‌ after pregnancy when ⁣blood iron levels drop too‌ low.” Other signs include feeling weak, ​shortness of‍ breath & ‌pale skin! Iron deficiency can⁤ also happen due to‌ poor nutrition celiac disease & digestive troubles.

“It’s crucial to​ find out why you​ have iron deficiency ⁤anemia so ⁣make an appointment with your GP for any ⁢worries.” Your GP may suggest blood tests for checking red blood cell ​count thankfully treating anemia ‌is easy through eating iron-rich foods & taking supplements!

“Small dents ​on the surface of nails often occur in‍ those with ⁤skin⁤ conditions like psoriasis ‍eczema & ⁢alopecia areata (a specific hair loss type),” according to Dr.Shah! You’d likely notice other symptoms too: psoriasis leads to dry scaly patches⁢ while eczema makes skin itchy cracked & sore!

A dermatologist can help diagnose these indentations in nails; mild cases usually need⁣ no treatment unless there’s discomfort involved ​some get treated using topical corticosteroids alongside vitamin D3 while addressing underlying issues causing them!

Many know that cancer shows⁤ up as ⁣odd spots on skin ⁢but ​melanoma—the most dangerous ⁣kind—can ‍also appear on fingernails/toenails so consult with a dermatologist if you spot dark ⁤streaks down ‌any nail! A dark line‌ isn’t always ⁣cancerous but worth checking since melanoma is easier treated when caught ‌early!

“Terry’s Nails⁢ named‌ after its discoverer show where more than​ two-thirds⁢ of the‍ nail bed turns white except for⁤ pink/red tips indicating liver⁣ disease,” says Dr.Shah “Other signs include fatigue yellowing skin​ & appetite ‍loss.” Terry’s Nails⁤ could also result from natural aging processes along with signals pointing towards ‌serious conditions such as diabetes/heart diseases!

Yellowing nails have many‌ causes ⁤yet fungal infections ​top that list ⁢leading thickening/crumbling effects over ⁢time⁣ though treatment takes longer it’s generally not painful ​however rare cases indicate ⁤diabetes thyroid issues lung diseases etc.!

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