Did You Know That The State Of Your Nails Can Tell A Lot About Your Health?

The state of your nails can give you important information about your nutritional and health status

Most of us are interested in caring for our nails to keep them strong, clean, and infection-free. However, the appearance of the nails is not only a matter of aesthetics: our state of health can be reflected in them.

Our nails can change over time and occasionally present alterations that can indicate that something is wrong with our body. It is important to learn to distinguish these alterations. What do nails say about our health?

Spoon shape

Normal nails are slightly raised in the middle and curve down the sides. If you notice that they are in the opposite way, that is, curved in the middle or in the shape of a spoon, they may be warning you of iron deficiency anemia. See a doctor if you think you may have anemia.

Flaking

Our nails are made up of several layers of keratin joined together, which are what give them a smooth and uniform surface. If your nails start to flake and start to lose their top coat, you may be exposing them to very high temperatures or cold, dry air.

Little

The little holes are irregularities that alter the smooth and uniform texture of the nail and that create characteristic marks. If this happens to you, it  is possible that your nails are suffering from psoriasis, an inflammatory skin disease that, in this case, affects the nails and causes the appearance of some marks. It is important to start your treatment on time to avoid its advance.

Fragility

This problem is usually quite common, especially in women who like to have long nails. If your nails are brittle, it is a sign that they need more hydration and nutrition, both externally and internally. This can also be a sign of hypothyroidism, or a low iron diet.

Yellowish color

The yellowish color of the nails may be indicating a lung condition. This sign can also be a common problem in smokers.

If your nails are yellowish, it is best to consult a doctor.

White spots

If you notice some white spots on the surface of your nails, don’t worry as they may simply be a sign of a bump that you didn’t notice.

On other occasions, the spots appear due to zinc deficiency, a mineral that you can consume in whole grains, chicken and fish.

Lunula

Sometimes a crescent-shaped spot called a lunula appears at the base of the nail. This spot is usually most visible on the thumbs and is more common in people with psoriatic arthritis. However, the visible lunula is not a bad sign in all cases, it is often completely normal.