Nails are not just for a nice manicure. The way you look can tell you more than you think about your health. A healthy nail is pink in color and has a white crescent at the base. It is strong and does not break easily. To find out if your nails want to tell you something about your health, take note of these 10 points that will help you interpret the changes and the appearance of your nails.
1. Striated nails
Stretch marks, elongated grooves, like small vertical or transverse channels, may appear on your nails. In addition to being easily visible, you will notice that the surface of your nails becomes rough. What does it mean? If they are regular and not very pronounced, they are probably due to a blow or pressure exerted by a cyst or wart. When they are more pronounced, vertical and irregular, they could alert you to arthritis or cardiovascular problems. If they are cross-sectional, they can indicate a lack of vitamins, an adverse reaction to a drug, or if you have had a serious illness, it may indicate the moment when the nail temporarily stopped growing. What is the solution?Go to the doctor, and if he detects any nutritional deficiency or disease, he will indicate the appropriate treatment.
2. Brittle and dry nails
Brittle nails can be caused by external factors, such as using cleaning products without protecting your hands, using poor-quality cosmetics, or abusing nail polish removers. Having your nails underwater for long hours also weakens them and exposes them to fungus. What can it indicate? It is important that a dermatologist see them, because the causes can be many: anemia due to a lack of iron , vitamin deficiencies, hormonal or vascular problems … How to prevent it? Check your diet, go to the doctor for an analysis, use quality cosmetics and protect your hands with gloves when doing housework.
3. Purple or blue nails
Nails can sometimes turn blue or purple without a bruise caused by a bump. What can it mean? If you haven't had a blow, it can mean low blood oxygen levels and generally poor circulation due to heart or breathing problems. What to do? Make an appointment with your GP so that you can further specify the origin of this color.
4. White spots
The typical white spots in the shape of small clouds that we have on our nails are harmless. The problem is if these spots are on the skin under the nail. Which indicates? It can be a sign of various disorders, such as heart failure or diabetes. Make sure. To make sure of the location, press on the nail. If the stains or the paleness of the nail disappear, this means that the stain is not on the nail but underneath. In this case, you should consult your dermatologist.
5. Spoon-shaped
Sometimes the nail becomes too thin and sinks into a concave shape, like the hole in a spoon. It usually happens mostly on the thumbs. What can it mean? Most likely, your nails are warning you that you have iron deficiency anemia, that is, you lack iron. What can you do? The solution is to treat anemia with iron supplements that your doctor will prescribe if this is your case. You should also accompany the treatment with a diet rich in iron, which you will find in red meat, legumes and green leafy vegetables, among others.
6. When the nails come off
The most normal thing is that the detachment is produced by a blow, because the finger has been caught in a door, or even by repeatedly applying pressure on the end of the nail. If it is injured, it is more likely to be infected by fungi or bacteria that will change its color. Which indicates? A fungal infection or psoriasis of the nails. It may also be that your thyroid is not working well. The treatment consists of cutting the nail to the point where it is attached and applying the medication prescribed by the doctor.
7. Fingers like drumsticks
In older people, the fingers sometimes take a shape similar to the drumsticks of a drum, thicker at the tip. This enlarges the nail and causes it to curve excessively. What can it indicate? A heart or lung problem that causes less oxygen in the blood than normal. Although less frequently, it can also be a gastrointestinal disorder. What I do? Go to the doctor, as it can be a serious disorder.
8. When the nail turns black
A black band on the nail can be a simple bruise, although if you have not hit yourself, it could be something serious. What can it indicate? You could be facing a malignant melanoma of the nail. Most of the time it affects the thumb of the hand or the foot. Go to your doctor. Do not delay the visit to the dermatologist when there is the slightest doubt about the origin of this spot.
9. I have yellow nails
It may be due to tobacco, although if they turn yellow, thin and grow slowly, there may be a hidden problem. What can it indicate? In addition to smoking, fungal infection, lymphatic problems or lung disorders. ¿ How to prevent it ? Avoid fungi by protecting your hands from water with cotton gloves when doing housework. Also, apply an antifungal treatment (antifungal).
10. Or green …
If your nails have a greenish or greenish-bluish tone and they hurt, it is possible that it is caused by the presence of bacteria. What I do? There are effective treatments to disinfect the area of bacteria that relieve pain, clean the infection and return the nail to its normal appearance in a short time.
