What Your Nails Tell You About Your Health

What Your Nails Tell You About Your Health

Your nails are a window into your health. You can tell a lot about someone's lifestyle and their general health just by looking at them. For example, did you know that the color of your nail beds can indicate how well you're eating? 

In addition, the texture and thickness of your nails could show diabetes or heart problems, while ridges in the nails could mean thyroid issues. In this blog post, you will learn some nail types and what they mean for your health.

Pale Nails Can Indicate Anemia and Malnutrition

One of the most common telltale signs that something is wrong with your body, outside of significant symptoms such as fever and chills, is your nails. A great example will be if you have a disorder like anemia or malnutrition – which can show up in your fingernails. 

Pale-colored nails can indicate anemia, an illness where one cannot produce enough red blood cells. Now, this doesn't happen to everyone with an ailment or disorder. But it is a common symptom that you should be aware of and take note of. 

Yellow Nails Indicate a Fungal Infection

Yellow nails indicate a fungal infection. Fungal infections are in the skin, but they can also live under your toenails and fingernail beds (and may not be easy to see). This fungus thrives in warm and moist environments like shower stalls or places where people walk barefoot. 

The problem with fungi is that they don't just disappear. Instead, they thrive in dirty environments and may cause other bacterial or viral infections in the future. If you notice your nails have a yellowish tinge, it's time to see your doctor for treatment advice. 

Did you also know that ingrown nails can lead to an infection if left untreated? You can click here;
ingrown toenail causes and symptoms to learn more about this.

Bluish Nails Indicate the Body is Oxygen Deficient

You can tell a lot about your health by looking at the nails on your fingers. For instance, bluish nails might indicate that you're not getting enough oxygen and water in your bloodstream. 

This could be because of relatively minor issues like breathing through your mouth while sleeping or more significant ones like lung disease and pneumonia. Fortunately, if it's the latter, you can get treatment.

Pitted or Rippled Nails Indicate Psoriasis or Inflammatory Arthritis

Some people have less obvious psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis symptoms, but fingernails can be a good indicator. Psoriatic nails are bumpy and often pitted; they're also known as “rice paper” because the nail bed is so thin that it's translucent. 

Nail ridges may indicate inflammation in your body—especially if they also get accompanied by joint pain. If your nails are pitting, rippling, or ridged, talk to your doctor about it today. There's a chance you may be able to find the relief you need for a variety of aches and pains.

Your fingernails are one of the few parts of your body that constantly make new cells. In addition, you can learn a lot about your health from looking at the condition of your nails. For instance, if they are yellow or brittle, it may signify an iron deficiency. Therefore, it is vital to take care of your nails and see a doctor if you have any questions about them.