Take a look at your nails. Are they telling you something? If they appear discolored or otherwise unhealthy, they may be warning you of an underlying medical condition. That condition could be something as simple as a fungal infection - or as serious as heart disease or skin cancer.
Common nail conditions
The following nail conditions are common. Most often, they are limited to the nail bed and are not a sign of a serious health problem. But keep in mind that sometimes they could be a sign of something more serious than a nail problem. Talk to your doctor if any of these conditions persists.
* "Splinter" hemorrhages. These are small red or reddish-brown lines that appear under your nail and look like splinters. Sometimes they are caused by an injury to the area. Certain medications or other medical conditions can cause them, too. They are often seen with a heart valve infection.
* White spots. If you pinch your finger in a door or have a similar injury, you might see white spots when you look at your nail. They usually grow out and don't require treatment. But they can also be caused by infection or another medical condition. If you don't recall injuring your nail, or if they don't go away, have your doctor examine them.
* Discoloration and abnormal growth. These are often signs of a fungal infection and appear more often in toenails than fingernails. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor, who may prescribe prescription medication.
* Redness, swelling, and pain around your nail, with possible green discoloration. Injury or too much water or chemical exposure to the area may lead to bacterial infections. This condition is also possible if you wear artificial nails. It requires medical attention.
* Cysts. If you develop a small, painful, clear bump with secretions at the base of your nail, see your doctor.
How nail color and shape can point to health problems
Did you ever wonder why your doctor often looks at your nails when you have a health complaint? That's because many health problems affect the appearance of your nails.
If you notice these changes, it's possible they could point to a serious health condition:
* Long dark brown or black bands under the nail could be a sign of malignant melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.
* Wart-like lesions could indicate squamous cell carcinoma, another form of skin cancer.
* Reddish-brown discoloration of the nail bed may be a sign of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Nails may also separate from nail beds and crumble or split. Swelling and redness of the surrounding skin may go along with this.
* White nails could come from malnutrition, kidney failure, liver disease, diabetes, or hypothyroidism.
* "Half and half" (half pink, half brown) nails may be a sign of kidney disease.
* Red or bluish purple nail beds may be linked with various heart conditions or circulation problems.
* Yellow, thickened nails may accompany different types of lung disease.
* Yellow nails with "blush" at the base are often seen in people with diabetes.
* Pale nail beds could indicate anemia.
Other characteristics that may signal disease
* Clubbing is a thickening of tissue under the nail plate. It can be a sign of lung disease, cancer, heart disease, cirrhosis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
* "Spoon-shaped," concave nails can indicate anemia, Raynaud's syndrome, or lupus.
* Pitting of the nail can often be seen in psoriasis as well as other diseases, such as sarcoidosis.
If you notice changes in the appearance of your nails, talk to your doctor. Whether you have a common nail condition or something more serious, talking to your doctor is the first step toward treatment.
source: noco5
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