Nails

Your nails tell you a lot about your health. Of course, Dr. Carm is talking about your real nails—not the painted or fake ones. Have you ever noticed when you were at the doctor's how he or she either commented on something (like a ring) or examined your hands? This is because he or she was looking for signs of any problems or illnesses.

So, go clean your nails and removed the artificial gunk off for this next posting. 

When looking at these descriptions you want to look near the base of the nail for the coloring. A normal nail should be smooth and clear (meaning you can see the skin underneath the nail—so slightly pinkish.)

Beau's Line Nails

Beau's lines are indentations across the nails. It can be caused by injury or illness that interrupts the growth of the cuticle. It can also be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, high fever, measles, mumps, pneumonia, or zinc deficiency.³

Blue Nails

Bluish nails are a sign that the body is not receiving enough oxygen, which is common in lung infections (pneumonia). In addition, some heart problems cause the fingernails to become blue.²

Club Nails

Club nails are enlarged fingertips with the nails curved around it. This may be a result of low oxygen and various types of lung disease. It is also associated with IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and AIDS.³

Cracked or Split Nails

Dry, brittle nails that crack or split are often associated with thyroid disease. If the nails are also yellow, then this is a sign of a fungal infection.²

Dark Lines Beneath the Nail

Dark lines beneath the nail can be caused by melanoma and should be seen by a doctor immediately.²

Gnawed Nails

Nail biting is often a sign of an anxiety disorder and has also been linked to OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).²

Pale Nails

Pale nails can be a sign of anemia, congestive heart failure, liver disease, and malnutrition.²

Pitted Nails

A small depression in the nails is common in people who have psoriasis. It can also be related to connective tissue disorders (i.e., Reiter's syndrome), alopecia areata (an autoimmune disease), or inflammatory arthritis.^2,3

Puffy Nail Folds

If the skin around the nails is puffy and red, it may be due to lupus or another connective tissue disorder. Infections are also a cause.²

Separated Nails (onycholysis)

Nails that are loose or separated from the nail bed are sometimes associated with injury or infection. However, it can also be associated with a reaction to a particular drug or product (such as nail hardeners or adhesives). In addition, it can be a sign of thyroid disease or psoriasis.³

Spoon Nails (koilonychia)

These are soft nails that scoop out. The middle of the nail is dented enough to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis (a liver condition that makes your body absorb too much iron from food). It can also be a sign of heart disease and hypothyroidism.³

Terry's Nails

If the tip of each nail has a dark band, it can be due to aging; but more serious conditions can be liver disease, congestive heart failure, or diabetes.³

White Nails

White nails with darker rims are a sign of liver problems (hepatitis). In this case, you might also notice your fingers might also be jaundiced (yellow).²

Yellow Nails

Yellow can be a sign of a fungal infection. If the infection is not treated, it may grow worse causing the nail to become thick and then crumble. Other conditions that cause yellow nails include severe thyroid disease, lung disease, respiratory disease (chronic bronchitis), diabetes, lymph edema, or psoriasis.^2,3

Some Final Facts¹:

• Fingernails grow an average of only 0.1 millimeter (mm) each day, whereas toenails grow 1 mm per month. Individual nail growth rates depend on age, time of year, activity level, and heredity.
• Nails grow faster on fingers — especially on your dominant hand — than toes.
• Women's nails grow more slowly than men's, except possibly during pregnancy.
• Nails grow more rapidly in summer than in winter.
• Nail growth is affected by disease, nutrition, medications, trauma, chronic illness, fever, and the aging process.

If you have any concerns about your nails, please see your physician.

¹American Academy of Dermatology (2012). Retrieved from http://www.aad.org

²Martin, L. J. (Sept. 2011). Nail health picture slideshow: What your nails say about your health. Retrieve from http://www.medicinenet.com

³Mayo Clinic (Dec 2, 2011). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com

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