NAIL health

  

Similar to the hair and skin, toenails and fingernails consist of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, to protect the tissues of your toes and fingers. The health of your nails gives clue to your overall health condition.

Healthy nails are usually smooth and consistent in color whilst manifestation of change in nail texture and color may be a warning signal, ranging from minor problems like anemia, skin disease and infection (most often fungal) to major organ deterioration such as lung, heart, pancreas, kidney and liver diseases.

Keeping your nails clean, dry, and trimmed at all times can help you avoid some problems. Do not remove the cuticle, which can cause infection.

Pale Nails

Very pale nails may be linked to aging. Anemia is another strong possibility. This blood disorder is characterized by a low red blood cell count due to lack of iron, leading to inadequate oxygen in the blood, which causes the tissues under the nails to turn pale. This impaired blood flow can also be caused by other serious underlying condition in the early stages, like:

+· Congestive heart failure
+· Diabetes
+· Liver disease
+· Malnutrition

White Nails

If the nails are mostly white with dark bands, this can indicate critical illnesses:

-  Renal failure
-  Liver problems, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
-  Diabetes mellitus
-  Chemotherapy

Horizontal white lines that span the entire nail, are paired, and appear on more than one nail are an indication of kidney disease, liver abnormalities, or a lack of protein and other nutrients, These diseases prevent blood supply to the nail bed.


Yellow Nails

+  The most frequent cause of yellow nails is fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nails may thicken and new growth slows, resulting in the discoloration. The affected nails may even detach from the nail bed.
+  Other possible causes are swelling of the hand or psoriasis.
+  In critical cases, yellow nail syndrome is related to respiratory disorder, such as chronic bronchitis, or may indicate severe thyroid disease or jaundice.

+  If your nails are yellow but are growing normally, it could be a sign of diabetes. This is because diabetes can cause glucose to attach to collagen proteins in the nails, making them appear yellow. When other symptoms of diabetes appear at the same time, (eg.increased thirst or urination) seek medical attention urgently.

 

Bluish Nails

 

Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body is not getting enough oxygen. This could indicate an infection in the lungs, such as pneumonia, asthma, emphysema or heart diseases.

 

Rippled Nails


If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. This is a skin condition that usually starts in the nails 10% of the time.

Individuals who suffer from psoriasis develop clusters of cells along the nail bed that accumulate and disrupt the linear, smooth growth of a normal nail.

Brittle, Thin or Lifted Nails

Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split at the slightest touch, have been linked to thyroid disease. The thyroid gland regulates metabolism, energy and growth, and inadequate thyroid hormone often leads to hair loss, brittle and thin nails, and slow growth. In some individuals,  the nail plate is separated from the nail bed in a noticeable way.

Other causes are:

+   Metabolic bone disease
+  Severe lack of nutrition especially in Vitamin C, folic acid, iron and proteins
+  Kidney disorder
+  In the presence of a yellowish hue more likely due to a fungal infection.

Puffy Nail Fold

If the skin around the nail appears red and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.

Dark Lines Beneath the Nail

   
Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible for fear of melanoma - the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

 

Splinter hemorrhages, or red and brown lines covering the nail beds are actually blood and can be a sign of a heart valve infection.

 

Conclusion

 

Though nail changes accompany many conditions, these changes are rarely the first sign. Do not be alarmed as many nail abnormalities are harmless. If above exhibited changes remained, professional treatment from either a doctor or a dermatologist is required, otherwise simple self-help techniques and minor lifestyle changes are sufficed.

Summary (extracted from http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/features/what-your-nails-say-about-your-health)

What Your Nails Say About Your Health: 10 Possible Signs of Serious Conditions
Nail Appearance	Associated Condition
White nails	Liver diseases, such as hepatitis
Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails	Lung diseases, such as emphysema
Yellowish nails with a slight blush at the base	Diabetes
Half-white, half-pink nails	Kidney disease
Red nail beds	Heart disease
Pale or white nail beds	Anemia
Pitting or rippling of the nail surface	Psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis
“Clubbing,” a painless increase in tissue around the ends of the fingers, or inversion of the nail	Lung diseases
Irregular red lines at the base of the nail fold	Lupus or connective tissue disease
Dark lines beneath the nail	Melanoma