What the texture and colour of your nails can tell you about your health

Being aware of the health of your nails can give you warnings about any underlying health conditions. In some cases, it can also be life-saving! Give your nails a quick look and see what may be hiding:

Brittleness in nails causes them to become weak and cracked. The cause is still undiscovered, but there are several root causes for it. One of the most common causes is ageing and nutrient deficiency. How nails split can also be determinant to the underlying disease. When nails begin to split horizontally, the condition is called onychoschizia. But when they split along the direction the nail grows, this is called onychorrhexis.

Pale nails are a common sign of ageing. Over 3 out 4 four adults over the age of 60 have pale nails. However, in some cases, pale nails can also be a sign of certain underlying health problems:

Anaemia

Malnutrition

Liver disease

Congestive heart failure

Always check with your doctor about the same.

Our nails can turn white when there is an injury to the nail. However, if all your nails slowly turn white, you should immediately consult a doctor about it. White nails with a pink band at the top of the nail bed are called Terry's nails, and they may signify a serious health condition.

This symptom may indicate diseases like cirrhosis of the liver, chronic kidney failure, and congestive heart failure.

Terry’s nails can signify a serious health condition, but they can also be caused as a sign of ageing.

Yellow nails are most commonly caused due to fungal infections. They are also present in the hands of regular tobacco users. If your yellow nails resist any fungal treatment, they might be indicating psoriasis, thyroid problems, or diabetes.

A rare disease called "yellow nail syndrome" (YNS) occurs in patients with serious lung disease and swelling of the extremities. Although this only happens in the cases of patients over the age of 50, and sometimes in children. YNS can go away on its own, but if it does not vitamin E can help.

There are several reasons which can contribute to blue nails:

Silver poisoning can cause the development of silver deposits in your nail beds leading to pigmentation of the nails. This irreversible condition worsens with more and more exposure to silver.

Certain medications like drugs for treating malaria, regulating heartbeat and treating liver conditions can also cause blue pigmentation.

People that have been infected with HIV can also have blue nails. They can be caused due to both – the infection as well as anti-retroviral medication.

The formation of small holes, or ‘pits’ is a classical sign of psoriasis in the nail. This condition is more common in patients with dermatitis in the fingertips and is caused due to atopic dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis.

There are a number of reasons for the presence of a dark brown/black streak under the nail. It is not possible to visualize the source of the pigment in the nail, therefore a biopsy is carried out to ensure it isn’t the symptom of skin cancer.

Changes in colours and the health of the nails are only a small symptom for underlying health conditions, however, they must not be ignored. If you observe any of the above changes in your nails, consult a doctor about it.