Here’s What Your Nails Are Telling You About Your Health

There have been countless times that I have taken a look at my nails, and either found them stained yellow, or with small white dots on them. Ever happened to you too? No need to worry, girl.

Changes in the appearance of your nails could just be because you left your nail paint on too long, or something a little more serious. Either way, all of it can be treated. And the best part, your nails heal over a period of time anyway.

So, if you notice any of these signs, here’s what your nails could be telling you.

1. White Spots

I remember my mom telling me that the white spots on my nails are because I don’t drink enough milk, which led me to gulp down a big glass of milk every morning. In reality, however, it is mostly due to trauma caused to the end of your nail, which leads to the layer of cells at the base of your nail getting damaged. This causes the spots to appear. Your best bet with this situation is to apply an anti-fungal treatment, and wait for it to grow out.

2. Brittle Nails

Ever had a nail chip just before a big occasion? Nails usually dry out due to excessive nail polish removers, frequent dish-washing without gloves, or even the chlorine from the swimming pool. These make the nails brittle and cause them to break. The good news is that the solution is usually as simple as applying a cuticle oil, and keeping your hands moisturised.

3. Vertical Ridges

If your nails could wrinkle in time, then it would probably show in the form of ridges. You might feel young at heart but these vertical ridges are a sign of aging. But before you freak out, know that the thin lines that run vertically up and down your nail are completely normal. The best way to keep them at bay is by keeping your nails and cuticles moisturised.

4. Yellow Nails

If you have excessively used nail polish lately, it could cause your nails to turn yellow! Of course, yellow stains can also be caused due to smoking, and diseases like diabetes or bronchitis. But for starters, don’t leave your nail paint on for too long!

5. Bluish Nails

Yoga and breathing exercises not only help you keep your waistline in check, but also keep your nails pink and healthy. When the oxygen carrying protein in the red blood cells is poor, it causes the tissue that lies beneath the nail plate to go blue. The best remedy for this is to practice breathing exercises, and stay hydrated.

6. Spoon Nails

At times, you will notice that your nails start looking like hills and valleys. Iron deficiency is a key factor for a nail to become concave in shape. It is time to get your blood work done, and start supplements to fix the problem. Ask your doctor, as liver disease, heart disease, and hypothyroidism are also linked to spoon nails.

7. Pitting Nails

These are like the little dents made from an ice pick, which usually happen to people suffering from psoriasis. It can also happen to people with an autoimmune disease in which you lose patches of hair. Speak to your doctor if your nails are covered with pits or dents, as this could be a sign that you have psoriasis.

8. Dark Stripes Or Painful Growth

Besides the ink you get on your nails after you cast a vote at the election table, if you see black streaks on your nails or have a painful growth, see your dermat ASAP! It can either be due to anxiety or melanoma, which is a form of skin cancer. Melanoma that comes from the nail is serious, and can cause black lines and stripes on the nail. If you see this happening, it is important to see a doctor.

9. Clubbing

Have you ever seen nails that look like claws of a bird? It is called clubbing, and it can sometimes be a sign of liver or kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, AIDS and can also indicate lung disease, which can be due to low oxygen in the blood. So if you notice these sorts of changes, make an appointment with your physician to be safe.

10. Lifting Nails

In some rare cases, the nail separates from the nail bed, and it is the worst feeling ever! It usually happens when there is excess exposure to water, aggressive manicures, nail hardeners or glue. See your doc if you think something more serious could be the cause, and try to keep your hands dry whenever possible.

All in all, girls don’t freak out about these signs on your nails. Be patient, and get a doctor to check it out if it gets worse. Stay hydrated, and keep your nails happy :)