NAILS - INDICATORS OF DISEASE
Changes in the nail can often be linked to a disorder or malfunction of other organs or body systems. This is a worthwhile thing to be aware of as these are often the first symptoms that appear, before more serious ones are evident.
Black, splinter-like pieces under the nail
- This can indicate heart disease, bleeding disorders or a serious heart infection known as infectious endocarditis.
Brittle nails
- There are a variety of causes including nutritional deficiencies of iron, silcon, calcium, vitamin A and biotin, however it can also indicate impaired kidney function, thyroid disorders and circulation problems.
Brittle, soft, shiny nails without a 'moon'
- This may possibly signify an overactive thyroid gland.
Dark nails and/or thin, flat, spoon-shaped nails
- Can be a sign of anaemia or vitamin B12 deficiency. The colour can also change if they physically come into contact with strong chemicals such as bleach or substances which you are allergic to.
Deep blue nail beds
- This is often a sign of pulmonary obstructive disorders such as emphysema or asthma.
Downward-curved nail ends
- This may indicate respiratory, heart or liver problems.
Flat nails
- This occurence may signify circulatory problems such as Raynaud's disease.
Greeny coloured nails
- If diagnosis confirms that it is not a fungal nail infection, it may suggest a more serious internal bacterial infection.
Half white nails with dark spots at the tip
- This may denote possible kidney disease.
Isolated dark-blue band in the nail bed
- If it occurs in fair-skinned individuals it can indicate skin cancer.
Nail beading (bumps on the nail surface)
- This can be an indicator of rheumatoid arthritis.
Nails that broaden toward the tip and curve downward
- Can indicate damage to the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos, cigarette smoke or emphysema.
Nails that crack, chip, peel or break easily
- This usually indicates poor nutrition and a deficiency of stomach acid, protein and various minerals.
Nails raised at the base, with small, white ends
- Can be an hereditary condition, which is harmless or an indicator of a more serious lung disorder such as asthma, emphysema or bronchitis.
Nails separated from the nail bed
- This may be a sign that there is a local infection or possibly a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
Nails that are pitted
- This indicates a tendency to total or partial alopecia (hair loss).
Pitted red-brown spots with frayed and split ends
- This can be a sign of a lack of protein, vitamin C or folic acid. It could also possibly signify psoriasis.
Red skin around the cuticles
- This can be due to the autoimmune illness, lupus or occur because of impaired fatty acid metabolism.
Ridges on the nail
- Can be a general sign of B-vitamin deficiency. Ridges that are horizontal indicate severe stress caused by emotional or physical trauma. They can also occur when there is calcium and/or magnesium deficiency, fungal infection, eczema, as well as conditions such as an underlying malignant melanoma, or a mucous cyst of the nail bed. Vertical ridges are a sign of malabsorption of nutrients, especially iron. This type can also signify a potential disorder of the kidneys and poor digestion due to lack of stomach acid. Arthritis is indicated if the ridges run up and down the nails.
Spoon-shaped nails
- Koilonychia is a term used to describe a change in the shape of the nail so that it becomes spoon shaped. It is caused by iron deficiency anaemia, when the nails may also be very brittle.
Thick nails
- Denotes that the circulation is not working efficiently and blood flow is becoming sluggish.
Thin nails
- If they are getting thinner, it is probably due to a skin disorder called lichen planus, which also causes itching.
Two white horizontal bands that do not grow with the nail
- This is likely due to a protein deficiency in the blood known as hypoalbuminemia.
Very wide, square nails
- This is an indicator of a hormonal disorder.
White lines
- Can be due to arsenic poisoning, but is more likely caused by high fever or heart disease.
Whites lines across the nails
This may be a sign of liver disease.
White moon discolouration
- If this turns blue it is either a sign of respiratory problems or overload of toxic metals such as silver. If the moon is red, there may be an underlying heart problem.
White spots
- This is a strong indicator that there is a zinc deficiency.
White nails
- This can be a sign of anaemia and or possible liver and kidney disorders. White nail beds can be due to low levels of circulating protein, a condition called leuconychia, due to liver disease.
White nails with pink near the tips
- Indicates that there is liver cirrhosis.
Yellow nails or a lifting of the nail tips
- Indicates problems of various organs including; liver, pancreas, lungs and lymphatic system. This problem can occur long before other symptoms appear. This is often called 'yellow nail syndrome' and has been sucessfully treated using 800 iu of vitamin E for several months.