Your fingernails can be a big indication of who you are as a person. You might chew or bite your nails, you might get your nails done weekly, maybe you prefer simple clear polish or you like to have rhinestones. Beyond the fashion statements you might pull off with your nails, your fingernails can also tell you about your health. Whether your nails have changed color or have changed in texture, they might be warning you about something going on in your body. Here is what the appearance of your nails might mean.
Color of nail
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We’re not talking about nail polish here — if your nails have become a different color than usual, you might want to address what that means for your health. Sometimes, these things don’t mean anything, but there are a few reasons your nails may have changed.
Pale nails might indicate:
– Anemia
– Congestive heart failure
– Liver disease
– Malnutrition
Yellow nails might indicate:
– Fungal infection
– Thyroid conditions
– Diabetes
– Negative reaction to a nail product you are using
Bluish nails might indicate:
– Lack of oxygen
– Lung problem, such as emphysema
– Heart issues
White nails might indicate:
– Liver problems such as hepatitis
– Anemia
A pair of horizontal white lines might indicate:
– Liver disease
– Kidney disease
White spots under the nails might indicate:
– Zinc deficiency
– An allergic reaction
– Injury to your nail
Texture/Appearance of nails
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Sometimes your nails might be more ridged than others, or maybe you’ve noticed your half-moons have slowly faded away. What can those things mean? Here are a few common textures and appearance changes and what they might mean about your health.
Nails with ridges might indicate:
– Vertical: Iron deficiency anemia
– Horizontal: Kidney disease
Nails with ripples might indicate:
– Early psoriasis
– Early inflammatory arthritis
Cracked or split nails might indicate:
– Thyroid disease
– With a yellow hint, it could be a sign of fungal infection
Puffy skin around nail might indicate:
– Lupus
– Connective tissue disorder
– An infection
Dark lines beneath nails might indicate:
– Blood vessel inflammation
– Melanoma
– Dangerous skin cancer
Disappearance of half-moons might indicate:
– Malnutrition
– Anemia
– Depression
If your nails have changed drastically, talk to your doctor
If you have noticed a big change in the color, shape, texture, or appearance of your nails, get in touch with your doctor. While sometimes your nails change due to getting older or sometimes as a negative reaction to a nail product, other times it may be a serious warning sign.
What have your nails told you about your health? Tell us your story below!
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