Toenails and Fingernails can be used as a window into our general health. If you have strong, smooth and clear nails, then it is an indication that you are doing pretty well health-wise.
However, there are particular changes in your nails that can reveal a host of underlying health problems.
1. Heart disease
A pale nail is a typical symptom of congestive heart failure. Although it is not common, whenever your nails become pale in color it is important to raise the issue with your doctor. Besides, white tips on your nails are perfectly normal and healthy. Nevertheless, nails that are entirely white is not a good sign.
2. Anemia
If you have pale nails that are unusual together with white instead of flesh-toned nails, then it could be a sign of anemia. It means that there is very little iron in your blood system.
3. Hepatitis
Diseases of the liver such as hepatitis usually affect the ability of the organ to produce proteins of the blood including albumin. It is easy to identify the lack of this protein in your nails – they are ridged or cloudy from the outlook.
4. Jaundice
Similar to other parts of the body that turn yellow when the liver is jaundiced, your nails can as well become yellow in color. Talk to your doctor and find out if your yellow nails as a result of a fungal infection or not.
If the doctor determines that it’s not a fungal infection causing the yellow color, then you should try to find out the exact cause.
5. Melanoma
The dark spots beneath the nail bed could be as a result of an injury. These spots can eventually disappear after a while. However, existence lack spots that that are not as a result of an accident or injury could be a clear sign of Melanoma.
Melanoma is a serious type of cancer. It is therefore important to have a dermatologist or doctor examine your nails to determine the origin of the dark spots.
6. Malnutrition
If you are not in a proper nutritional diet such as inadequate vitamins and minerals or eating junk food – it will likely show up on your nails. Malnutrition can manifest through weak nails. In the long run, your nails may invert, spoon, or develop ridges.
7. Fungus
Nail fungus is a common condition that usually shows up in toenails or fingernails. Fungus generally causes the color of nails to turn yellow or leave traces of dark spots within the nail bed. Treating this condition is not difficult.
There are over-the-counter ointments that can be used to get rid of the fungus. Besides, doctors can also prescribe more effective medicine if the condition persists.
In a nutshell, your nails can serve as a great way in determining the condition of your overall health. There are those signs or symptoms that you can tell on your own while others can only be determined by a doctor. Whenever you see nail changes in terms of color or shape – be sure to find the reason why.
