Your nails tell a lot about you - Daily Pioneer

Long and well-manicured fingernails are symbolised by women beauty and fashion. However, the very first step towards beautiful nails is a healthy nail. For women and men both, nails can be the indication of overall body health

In the world of personal care, there is a growing percentage of people who recognise nail care as prudent as their face and rest of the body. Long and well-manicured fingernails are many times symbolised by women beauty and fashion. However, the very first step towards beautiful nails is a healthy nail. For women and men both, nails can be the indication of overall body health. A healthy nail is smooth and without any discoloration. If you notice any breakage or any sort of discoloration in your fingernails, it can be a result of bad nutrition and poor digestion. Even chewing your fingernails is a symptom of your mental health, as you will see in this article. We will mention few conditions that you should not neglect if they arise. Book an appointment with your health specialist if you detect any of these given conditions with your fingernails and take necessary actions.

Ridged or rippled nails

You might have seen thin vertical ridges over the nails of an older person. It is very common and occurs naturally as a result of the aging process. But what if the ridges are larger than what they should normally be? Beware, since it can be a sign of iron deficiency, or Vitamins A, B, especially B12, or keratin. This can also be an early symptom of psoriasis, or inflammatory arthritis, or hormonal imbalances. You can look for discolored nails, and the skin under the nail may seem reddish-brown.

Yellowish or pale nails

Not having regular nail hygiene is not the only reason for your yellow nail coloration. It is also associated with a fungal infection. Your nail bed could retract while the nails thicken and it can even crumble as the condition progresses. Although it is rare, yellow nails could also signal critical diseases, such as psoriasis, diabetes, and lung, or thyroid disease.

White, pale or blue nails

Your nails appearing to be discolored or different in color could be a sign of trouble, such as pale nails, which signify anaemia or congestive heart failure or liver disease or even malnutrition. White nails with darker rims may signal liver problems such as hepatitis. And nails having a bluish tone may indicate cardiovascular or lung problems like pneumonia, asthma, or emphysema that can result from the body not getting sufficient oxygen.

Brittle and chipped nails

Many of us have been victims of a chipped nail at some point in our lives. Brittle nails break or chip way too easily and can be the indication of nutritional deficiency such as iron, protein, or insufficient calcium, biotin, zinc, or vitamin B-complex levels such as B12. Brittle nails can also be a symptom of thyroid gland malfunctioning. They are also a common symptom of Raynaud's syndrome, which is an illness afflicting the blood vessels, due to which there is a restriction in blood flow to the limbs.

Dark stripes under the nails

If you observe dark lines under the nails, it could be a symptom of melanoma, which is a malignant form of skin cancer, and requires an immediate visit to the doctor

Beau's lines

Beau's lines are the reference to deep grooves running horizontally across the nail from side to side. Generally, they are an outcome of an injury but could also develop due to diabetes or zinc deficiency. It can also be because of malnutrition, and both fingernails and toenails are at risk of developing them.

Nail biting or chewing

Nail biting is often overlooked as a behavioral pattern. However, compulsive nail biting and nail chewing can be a symptom of constant anxiety or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Remember to always take care of your delicate nails and avoid biting or tearing them apart. Consider buying a good quality pair of nail clipper to keep their length manageable. Trim and cut your nails right after a bath when they are soft. Lastly, do not forget to lotion them to keep them moisturised.

—Rajesh U Pandya, Managing Director, KAI India

Curved nails

"Koilonychia" is the condition in which spoon-shaped curved nails look peculiar and are indicative of a deficiency of Vitamin B12 or iron.