Home > Skin & Hair > What Do Your Nails Say About Your Health?: Nail Types and Diseases

What Do Your Nails Say About Your Health?: Nail Types and Diseases

Dr. Sreelekha Daruvuri

4 Min Read

Did you know your nails talk a lot about your health? Nails are just dead cells covering our fingertips, right? You only need to trim them or paint them to keep them aesthetically acceptable. But have you ever thought about your nail health? Have you ever looked at your nail and wondered about why the colour looks different or questioned the presence of any colouration or spots? If you have the following nail types, then there’s a chance that you might have a problem and may need to consult with a doctor. In this article, we will be discussing all the different nail types and diseases associated with them.

Pale Nails

nail types and diseases MFine - pale nails

Pale nails are most often a sure-shot sign of malnutrition. Someone who has a very poor diet may end up with pale nails. It can also indicate more systemic issues such as liver and heart problems and anaemia. Anaemia can also come up as very flat or concave-shaped nails. Numerous conditions, including trauma, nutritional deficiencies, heart or renal illness, or even poisoning, could be the cause of the pale nails.

White Nails

nail types and diseases MFine - white nails

Completely white nails with dark rims are indicative of liver problems like hepatitis. One will also find jaundice happening with such white nails.

Yellow Nails

nail types and diseases MFine - yellow nails

Nails with yellow colouration are usually a sign of infection. Fungal infections can cause yellow nails which will lead to nail thickening, breaking off or retracting. Nails may become thicker and disintegrate as the infection gets worse and the nail bed retracts. Rarely, yellow nails may be a sign of a more serious illness such as psoriasis, diabetes, lung disease, or severe thyroid disease. Yellow nails can also be caused by jaundice which would indicate a problem with the liver.

Bluish Nails

nail types and diseases MFine - bluish nails

A bluish tinge in nails can indicate a problem with the lungs as this happens only when the body doesn’t get enough oxygen. This can be a sign of a lung condition like emphysema. Bluish nails can be linked to certain heart issues.

Nails with ripples

Nails with small pits and ripples can be an early sign of psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis. This can also result in nail discolouration and the skin under the nail turning reddish-brown. Vertical nail ridges are a common aging-related nail condition. Vertical lines may appear on your nails if you have eczema or extremely dry skin. Nails with vertical ridges and thickness, and brittleness are possible symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Puffed-up nail folds

If the skin around the nail is swollen it can be indicative of lupus or some other type of connective tissue problems. An infection can also cause the skin to be red swollen and red. An infection, trauma, or irritation can cause paronychia, which is inflammation of the nail. Nails on the fingers or toenails may be affected. Broken skin close to the cuticle and nail fold might attract germs that can lead to an infection and paronychia.

Dark lines beneath nails

nail types and diseases MFine - Dark lines beneath nails

Dark lines beneath nails should be immediately brought to medical attention. This can sometimes be caused by melanoma which is the most dangerous form of skin cancer.

Nail Care Routine

Follow this simple nail care routine to keep your nails healthy.

Keep your nails smooth and dry
Trim your nails frequently and cut them straight throughout
Avoid biting your nail
Wear gloves when working with water or harsh chemicals
Wear shoes that match properly
Treat any fungal nail infections promptly

Conclusion

This was all about nail types and diseases. Healthy nails are smooth and have no discolouration. While nail health is only a part of a diagnosis, if you ever notice something wrong or different with the texture and colour of your nails, you should take it as a signal about your health and be more cautious.

If you face other symptoms of the conditions mentioned above along with changes in nails, then you should definitely consult with a doctor. Download the MFine app and consult the best specialists near you. How do your nails look? Let us know in the comments below.