9 signs on fingernails warn of health problems

Abnormal changes in nail color or structure can be a sign that our body is having problems.

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

1. Nails with “potholes”

Nails with many small holes and depressions on the surface are a common symptom of psoriasis. Concave nails can also be seen in other diseases such as Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis) and alopecia areata. Up to 30-40% of patients with psoriasis discover the disease based on symptoms on their fingernails and toenails.

2. Clubbed nails

This is when the fingertips or nails protrude and enlarge like drumsticks. This is a manifestation of chronic hypoxia that lasts for many years, or systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, liver disease, enteritis, AIDS, etc.

3. Nails change color abnormally

According to Chinese medicine principles, healthy people's nails should be light yellow, shiny and smooth.

Gold nails:This condition is caused by a lack of cuticle layer, causing the nails to become thin, grow slowly and turn yellow. This is a warning sign of chronic lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, lymphatic obstruction, nail fungus, jaundice due to hepatitis, sinus infection, thyroid problems...

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

Blue-black nails:subungual bacterial infection

Bluish or purple nails:body is lacking oxygen

Gray nails:body's reaction to certain drugs

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

4. Broken nails

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

5. Spoon-shaped nails

This is a phenomenon in which the nail is soft and deformed like a spoon. The most severe is the concavity that can hold a drop of water. This symptom is often seen in people with severe anemia, liver diseases such as iron overload (the body absorbs excessive amounts of iron in food, leading to iron overload in tissues, including the liver and heart). In addition, this is also a symptom of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease or hypothyroidism.

6. Loose nails

Fingernails and toenails can become loose, flaky, and brittle. This can be caused by physical trauma or infection. Loose nails can also be seen in people with drug allergies, psoriasis, thyroid disease, poor circulation, and frequent use of chemical straighteners.

7. Thickened nails

Unusually thick nails can indicate psoriasis, reactive arthritis, or nail fungus. Thick, yellow, slow-growing nails can be a sign of lung disease.

8. Black stripe running down the nail

Warning signs of skin cancer, called subungual melanoma. This type of cancer affects only one nail.

9. Small red or brown streaks under the nail

This phenomenon occurs due to slight damage to blood vessels under the skin, also known as splinter hemorrhage. If only a few nails are affected, you do not need to worry immediately. However, if many nails are affected at the same time, it can signal an underlying disease.

According to VTC