What Your Fingernails Can Tell You About Your Health
Your fingernails reflect your overall health and wellness. In general, healthy nails are smooth, without pits or grooves, and uniform in color and consistency. Sometimes, harmless vertical ridges may form in a nail, running from the cuticle to the tip. Temporary white spots can also appear after nail trauma, eventually growing out with the nail.
That said, other fingernail symptoms may indicate an underlying health condition that warrants medical attention. The experienced team at South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, Florida, can explain what to watch for.
What Are Some Common Fingernail Symptoms That May Indicate an Underlying Health Condition?
Because many nail issues look similar, your fingernail nail health is not something you should try to self-diagnose and -treat. Instead, talk with a medical provider if you notice:
Nail Pitting
Small, round, icepick-like depressions often form in the nails of people who have a chronic skin condition, such as psoriasis or eczema. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes rapid skin cell growth, leading to the formation of thick, silvery scales and red skin patches. Eczema is an inflammatory skin condition that is often linked to allergies or asthma. Both psoriasis and eczema can cause the skin to become red, inflamed, and itchy, and possibly crack, blister, or weep. Nail pitting may also be related to a connective tissue disorder, such as alopecia areata, which causes hair loss.
Nail Clubbing
A gradual process that often takes place over several years, nail clubbing occurs when the fingertips become enlarged and the nails curve around them. Possible causes include low blood oxygen, heart disease, lung disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS), or cirrhosis.
Nail Spooning
Spoon nails (koilonychia) occur when the nails dip inward and appear to be “scooped out,” with a spoon-shaped depression in the center that is usually large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Koilonychia can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia or hemochromatosis, a liver condition that occurs when the body absorbs too much iron from food. It can also result from nail trauma or a fungal infection.
Nail Whitening
Terry’s nails is a condition characterized by white or light-colored nails that have a characteristic “ground-glass” appearance and a narrow pink or reddish-brown band near the tip. The condition is named for Dr. Richard Terry, who first described it in 1954. Terry’s nails can signal any of several underlying health conditions, including liver disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, or kidney failure.
Horizontal Nail Indentations
Beau’s lines are horizontal ridges or depressions that form across a nail, usually due to a temporary disruption in the growth of the nail caused by a severe illness, injury, or trauma. Beau’s lines are also associated with certain systemic conditions, including uncontrolled diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and zinc deficiency.
Nail Loosening
Known as onycholysis, a loose nail may separate from the nail bed, starting at the tip and progressing toward the cuticle. The resulting gap between the nail and the nail bed can create an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. Possible causes of onycholysis include nail trauma, psoriasis, thyroid disease, or an allergic reaction to medication.
Nail Yellowing
Yellow nail syndrome is a rare condition characterized by yellowed, thickened, and slow-growing nails. The nails may also become curved and detached from the nail bed. In addition to nail changes, yellow nail syndrome may cause respiratory symptoms, such as chronic coughing and difficulty breathing, due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pleural effusion) and swelling in the airways (bronchiectasis).
What Should I Do if I Notice Unusual Changes in My Fingernails, and When Should I Seek Medical Advice?
Because the appearance of your fingernails can provide subtle but important clues about the state of your overall health, it is important to pay attention to anything out-of-the-ordinary—such as a change in the color, texture, or shape of a nail—and promptly discuss it with a medical provider. Most nail changes are not a cause for alarm. Still, it is always best to err on the side of caution. An experienced physician can evaluate your nail symptoms along with other factors to identify the underlying cause and suggest an appropriate treatment plan if necessary.
At South Tampa Immediate Care, our experienced medical team is available to address any questions relating to your health and wellness, including your fingernail health and wellness. Located at 602 S. Howard Ave. in South Tampa, FL, our walk-in clinic is open daily during extended hours, and we do not require appointments.
