Chat with AHA!

Chat with Ask Healthshots

5 things that your nails might be saying about your health

Your nails throw a lot of clues at you about your health. Have you ever been able to catch them all?
nails
Pay attention to your nails ladies. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Published by Nikita Bhardwaj
Updated On: 13 Oct 2023, 05:06 pm IST
  • 78

Don’t you hate it when your nails are so brittle that they chip easily, or wonder why your nails have certain spots on them?

The truth is that, from chipping to peeling, everything that’s happening to your nails is a reflection of your health. 

According to a study published in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal, your nails act as a window to your health. Be it a lung issue or an allergy, it seems like these keratin sheets can be the first ones to alert you to it.

Today, let’s take a look at the 5 things your nails are trying to tell you:

1. Your thyroid isn’t working fine
If you have brittle nails that chip off easily, it might be a sign that there is an issue with the functioning of your thyroid. This condition is usually linked to hypothyroidism which is characterised by the thyroid’s inability to produce hormones at the right pace.

nails and health
Brittle nails? Blame in ion your thyroid. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

In case your nail detaches itself from the nail bed easily, you are dealing with hyperthyroidism, where excessive hormones are released by the thyroid.

Brittle nails also mean that you are deficient in vitamins like A, C, and biotin.

2. Your lungs have some issue
Have you heard of the term called ‘clubbing’ when it comes to nails? According to the research stated above, when the lower half of your nail bulges and makes a curve with the cuticle, we call it ‘clubbing’.

This could be an indication of pulmonary disease. This means that your lungs are unable to pump more oxygen into your blood which is causing your fingernails to be spoon-shaped. Mostly, the nails in such a case will be blue coloured.

Take a Poll

What is your top health and wellness goal?

Take a Poll

What is your go-to-technique for relieving body pain?

3. You might have psoriasis
Yes, it is a skin problem but some people also develop it in their nails! Nail psoriasis happens due to a low immune system. In this case, your nails become brittle and keep chipping off. Also, you might see small pits or ‘pitting’ on your nail. In severe cases, it can be really very painful.

4. Your liver isn’t in good shape
All those who drink should check their nails and see whether they have a white colour nail with a pink stripe on the top. If it isn’t there, then you are safe. However, if it is present, then you might have Terry’s nails. This happens because there is a reduction in vascularity and an increase in the connective tissues in the nail bed.

Also, listen:

In fact, according to a study published in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, almost 68 percent of the people suffering from liver problems show a change in their nail colour as well. So, if you see this change on your nails, report it to your doctor at the earliest.

5. You might have diabetes
Yes, diabetes also makes your fingernails go haywire. So, what’s the sign? Well, it’s your nails getting discolored and becoming yellow. In fact, this along with the reddening of the skin around the nail is often considered an early sign of diabetes.

So, now you know what your nails are trying to tell you about your health!

  • 78
About the Author

Six-pack abs are all that Nikita needs, along with her daily dose of green tea. At Health Shots, she produces videos, podcasts, stories, and other kick-ass content. ...Read More

Next Story