9 signs on your fingernails that warn of health problems.

Unusual changes in nail color or texture can be a sign that our bodies are experiencing problems.

According to Dr. Amy Derick, a clinical lecturer in dermatology at Northwestern University, there are about 30 signs on the nails that are related to health problems. Below are 9 of the conditions that you can easily diagnose through unusual changes in your nails.

1. Nails develop potholes.

The appearance of small pits or depressions on the surface of the fingernails is a common symptom of psoriasis. Pitted nails can also occur in other conditions such as Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis) and alopecia areata. Up to 30-40% of psoriasis patients are diagnosed based on the appearance of their fingernails and toenails.

2. Drumstick fingernails

This occurs when the fingertips or fingernails protrude and enlarge like drumsticks. This is a symptom of chronic hypoxemia lasting many years, or systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, AIDS, etc.

3. Unusual changes in nail color

According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, healthy individuals should have light yellow, shiny, and smooth fingernails.

Yellow nails:This condition is caused by a lack of the cuticle layer of skin, resulting in thin, slow-growing nails that turn yellow. This is a warning sign of chronic lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, lymphatic obstruction, nail fungus, jaundice due to hepatitis, sinus infections, thyroid problems, etc.

White nails:The condition of having completely white fingernails or toenails except for the tips is very common in the elderly, or in people with cardiovascular disease, liver disease, kidney disease, or diabetes.

Blue-black nails:bacterial infection under the nail

Nails that are slightly blue or purple:The body is lacking oxygen.

Gray nails:the body's reaction to certain medications

Brown nails:Thyroid disease or malnutrition. Brown nails on top and white nails on the bottom are a sign of kidney failure, weakened immune system, or may appear after chemotherapy.

4. Broken nail

This sign warns of aging occurring in the body, or is a consequence of excessive exposure to detergents, nail polish, especially in women. Sometimes it is a symptom of diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, measles, mumps, severe zinc deficiency, pneumonia, nail fungus, lichen planus (a type of fungal infection that causes an itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth), psoriasis, or thyroid problems. In a few cases, brittle nails are a sign of reactive arthritis, a painful form of arthritis.

5. Spoon-shaped nails

This condition involves the nails becoming soft and deformed, resembling a spoon. In severe cases, they may be so concave that they can hold a drop of water. This symptom is commonly seen in people with severe anemia, liver diseases such as hemochromatosis (the body absorbs excessive amounts of iron from food, leading to iron accumulation in tissues, including the liver and heart). Additionally, it can be a symptom of other conditions such as cardiovascular disease or hypothyroidism.

6. Loose nails

Fingernails and toenails can easily become brittle, loose, and easily detached. This condition can be caused by physical trauma or infection. Loose nails are also common in patients with drug allergies, psoriasis, thyroid disease, poor circulation, and those who frequently use hair straightening chemicals.

7. Thickening of the nails

Abnormally thickened nails can indicate psoriasis, reactive arthritis, or a fungal nail infection. Thickened nails that are yellow and grow slowly may be a sign of lung disease.

8. Black stripes running down the nail

Warning: This is a type of skin cancer called subungual melanoma. This type of cancer only affects one fingernail.

9. Small red or brown streaks under the nails

This phenomenon occurs due to minor damage to the blood vessels under the skin, also known as splinter hemorrhage. If only a few fingernails are affected, you don't need to worry immediately. However, if many fingernails are affected at the same time, it could signal an underlying condition.

According to VTC