Our nails can help us understand our health and can signal the need to seek further medical attention. From colour changes to changes in shape, these are some signs to look out for
Regardless of whether you’re a nail biter or you’re one to paint them in different colours each week, our nails can tell us a lot about our health. From the ridges they display to their colouration, every person’s nails are different – though some characteristics can be warning signs that something potentially isn’t quite right.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), noticing certain colours on your nails could be a sign to seek further medical attention. Its website encourages people to pay attention to their nails and to look out if they notice their nails change to become white, half pink and half white or yellow in colour.
It states that white nails could be a sign of liver disease or diabetes, though white nails can also occur naturally as part of the ageing process. Meanwhile, half pink, half white nails could indicate kidney disease, with the upper portion of the nail turning white while the bottom portion remains a reddish brown colour.
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Yellow nails could also be a warning sign and can be caused by lung disease. Lastly, it encourages people to look out for dusky red half-moons on their nails as it could signal a number of different conditions, such as lupus, heart disease, alopecia areata, arthritis, and dermatomyositis.
Elsewhere, dermatologist David Johnson explained how nails that break or peel easily might not just be due to dryness. Instead, he told MailOnline that it might indicate low iron, hypothyroidism, or dehydration.
Speaking to the publication, he added that there was one nail-related symptom people should get seen “immediately” by a medical professional. “A dark line in your nail can be due to a bruise but sometimes, it’s melanoma – a form of skin cancer.
“If you notice this, don’t hesitate, get your hands checked out immediately,” he said. As well as looking at the colour and texture of a nail, it’s important to pay attention to its shape. One shape, known as clubbing, can be a warning sign and over on TikTok, Dr Dana, known online as FootDocDana, went viral after discussing the topic.
“Clubbed fingers or toes are when there’s a distorted angle of the nail bed. The nail is curved downward and shaped like a spoon,” she said.
“There is decreased oxygen levels in the blood causing changes to the small vessels of the fingertips. This might result in increased blood flow to the area causing swelling, soft tissues and the characteristic appearance of clubbed fingers or toes.”
However, while it could be an indicator regarding a person’s health, it might not be a sign of anything untoward. As nail clubbing can occur gradually, Dr Dana encouraged people to do the Schamroth Window Test which involves pressing the backs of your fingertips together and looking between the nails to see if there is a small gap. If there’s no gap, it can be a sign of clubbing.
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