There are two types of people in life: those who paint their nails flawlessly at all times, and those who put it on their to-do list. No matter which way you swing, the surface of your nails can be an open door to learning more about your health and well-being. According to studies related to color, texture and surface texture, nails are often associated with nutrient deficiencies and disease. Here are five signs that your nails are trying to tell you something.
Dry, cracked or brittle nails
Sometimes dry and brittle nails are a reflection of lifestyle changes and the products we use, such as water, nail polish remover, and harsh detergents. But if your nails are chronically brittle, thin, and brittle, it’s time to see a doctor. “People with dry skin, hair, and nails are symptoms of thyroid problems,” says Sandy Skotnicki, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of Toronto. A 2013 study in the Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism showed that gender and age were significantly associated with hypothyroidism, where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to support normal body functions. in illness. Women aged 46-54. Your doctor will do a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels.
Back or buttocks
Wrinkles do not appear only on the skin: over time, you may notice a change in the color of the nails. “It’s normal for nails to bend lengthwise as you age,” says Dr. Skotnicki. However, a horizontal spine can mean something completely different. “Sometimes when you’re really sick or have a really high fever, your nails stop growing, which creates horizontal lines on the nail called Bowe’s lines,” says Peter Vignewicz, MD. assistant professor of dermatology. MD from McMaster University. “It’s a sign of stress,” he added. What if your nails are bent? Dr. Skotnicki says: “Pimples or spots may indicate psoriasis (a common chronic inflammatory disease with red, scaly patches of skin) elsewhere on the body. In a 2015 Canadian study, more than 90 percent of patients with psoriatic arthritis had nail changes.
If you’ve ever hit your nails with a hammer (ouch!), you’ll know that it can take a while for that nasty black bruise to heal. But sometimes dark spots and lines appear under the nails for no apparent reason, so it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about it. “Most people don’t know that Bob Marley died of acral lentiginous melanoma, which is characterized by dark lines under the fingernails,” said Dr. Skotnicki. “[This form of skin cancer] is more common in people of color, and it’s more common with age.”
yellow nails
If you smoke or use nail polish regularly, the yellow glow on your nails is caused by nicotine. “If the nail is yellow and the nail bed is raised, it could indicate a fungal infection,” says Dr. Skotnicki. For patients with these symptoms, the doctor will prescribe a prescription to kill the fungus and prevent it from spreading. In rare cases, yellow nails can be associated with more serious conditions, such as lymphedema (accumulation of lymph fluid in the tissues) and respiratory diseases. These health conditions slow the growth of new nails, thicken them, and turn yellow.
White characters
If you work with your hands, you can break the nail or dislodge the nail bed, leaving white spots. “The small white spots are called traumatic leukonychia and are harmless,” says Dr. Vignewicz. If it’s not a small spot, but half of the nail is white, “it could be a condition called Terry’s nail associated with liver disease or severe kidney disease.” In 1954, Dr. Richard Terry first described a nail disease called nail sclerosis (which results from permanent liver damage and scarring). In this case, the nail is “frosted glass” and there is no lunula – there is a white crescent at the base of the nail.