Nails are not just an important part of your aesthetic; they also serve as indicators of your overall health. They can reflect strong well-being or signal neglect, poor hygiene, harmful habits, and internal diseases. Changes in color, spots, unevenness, splitting, or brittleness are markers of issues that require attention.
Shape and Color
A “healthy” nail is firmly attached and features a clearly defined, rounded, light-colored lunula near the cuticle. A healthy nail plate always has an even color, typically pink or flesh-toned. You can assess health through the characteristics of color changes in the nails. Dull nails may indicate anemia. The appearance of stripes and spots can suggest a problem with the spleen. Blue crescent-shaped spots on the nails could be a potential symptom of poisoning. Milky-white spots appear with incomplete keratinization of the nail plates and may be linked not only to deficiencies in calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and E but can also indicate liver cirrhosis.
A white color in the nails may signal liver disease or diabetes, while a half-white, half-pink coloration can occur with kidney diseases. A semicircular shape of the fourth finger’s nail may indicate possible kidney failure. A triangular shape of this nail is characteristic of spinal issues. Wavy ridges are a sign of rheumatism. Yellow nails suggest lung or infectious diseases. A blue hue signals a lack of oxygen in the blood, while dark blue or dark brown nail coloration can indicate a malignant tumor. Nail melanoma can slowly destroy the plate and may appear colorless due to low melanin levels.
Bumpy Surface
The texture of the nail surface is another indicator of health. A textured or soft plate is not normal. A healthy nail typically has a uniform consistency: it is a hard and smooth keratin layer without grooves, dents, or bumps. How can you identify disease through bumpy nails? Thickening or distortion may be signs of onychogryphosis (a condition related to aging) or platonychia (a congenital anomaly). The nature of the irregularities can suggest their origins. Triggers for wavy nails include chronic and endocrine diseases, contact with chemicals, injuries, and deficiencies in certain nutrients.
For example, transverse grooves (known as Beau’s lines) can result not only from trauma to the keratin layer during a manicure or from the harmful habit of biting nails but can also indicate metabolic disorders, past fungal infections, and other diseases. Transverse grooves on the nails may point to a deficiency in zinc and vitamin B1, while longitudinal ridges on the plate suggest a lack of vitamin B6. Such nails are often seen in vegetarians and those on diets that exclude meat (the primary source of zinc). This symptom is usually accompanied by other signs: the appearance of white spots, slowed nail growth, and brittleness. The issue of wavy nails is often resolved by adjusting one’s diet. Nuts, dried fruits, tomatoes, zucchini, cabbage, beets, apples, and plums should be staples in your diet.
Nail Defects
Diagnosing diseases through nails can reveal disruptions in the body, whether local or systemic. Irregularities, cracks, and splitting of the nail plate can be symptoms of a group of conditions known as onychodystrophy, which can be congenital or acquired. An example of the former is koilonychia—a congenital dystrophic condition characterized by spoon-shaped nails. This concave deformation most often manifests on the nails of the hands. Contributing factors include frostbite, injuries, infections, diseases, and contact with chemicals.
Acquired onychodystrophies include onychoschizia and onychorexis, which refer to splitting and cracking. Their nature can be mechanical, related to typing or improper manicure techniques, chemical (provoked by exposure to alkalis or household chemicals), or biological (arising from immune deficiencies, fungal infections, and certain chronic diseases). If cosmetic treatments do not help, it may be time to consult an endocrinologist, as sometimes nail splitting can be caused by thyroid issues. Brittle nails indicate a lack of fatty acids, iron, protein, zinc, calcium, and B vitamins. Additionally, contact with synthetic cleaning agents can lead to splitting and brittleness. When doing household chores, it’s essential to protect your hands with silicone gloves.
Fungal Infections
Half of all nail diseases are caused by onychomycosis—an infection of the nail plates by fungi that feed on keratin cells. To facilitate penetration into the nail tissue, fungi produce enzymes that break down the plate. Therefore, nail deterioration can be a symptom of a fungal infection. This condition typically begins with a pale appearance of the affected plate, followed by color changes to white, yellow-brown, purple, green, and black. Signs of fungal infection include longitudinal yellow-white or brown stripes within the nail plate, white round spots on the nails, thickening, and itching.
If left untreated, the infection can lead to total destruction of the plate. The affected nail may need to be filed down, trimmed, or completely removed, and treatment can last from 12 weeks to a year. Toenails are more frequently affected by fungi than fingernails, and infection can occur through shoes, clothing, and household items. Avoid using others’ towels and personal items, disinfect manicure tools, and visit communal showers, saunas, and pools only in appropriate footwear. Avoid tight shoes and choose socks made from breathable materials. Risk factors include sweaty feet, older age, low immunity, diabetes, poor blood circulation in the extremities, injuries, and artificial nails.
Nail Psoriasis
Nails affected by psoriasis can help diagnose diseases whose connections may not be obvious. This chronic condition manifests as skin inflammation affecting the nail plate. It develops in individuals with a genetic predisposition. The onset of nail disease can be triggered by skin infections (such as streptococcus), constant friction from ill-fitting shoes, injuries, burns (including sunburns), scratches, and bites. Other contributing factors include stress, fatigue, obesity, smoking, and alcohol abuse. Respiratory diseases (like angina) and the use of certain medications (for hypertension, multiple sclerosis, bipolar disorder, or malaria) can also provoke nail psoriasis.
Symptoms of the disease include loss of transparency in the plate, thickening of the nails or skin beneath the nails, pinpoint depressions on the nail surface, and peeling. In cases of mycosis, the nail turns yellow and crumbles. Typically, a diagnosis is made after a clinical examination of the nails and skin. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatments may include immunosuppressants, topical agents based on glucocorticoids, phototherapy, creams, and starch baths for moisturizing the nails, or laser treatment. The simplest prevention is to maintain nail hygiene and avoid compromising the integrity of the nail plate.
Nail Separation
Nail diagnosis can also be performed in cases of onycholysis—spontaneous partial separation of the nail from the nail bed or complete detachment. Common causes of nail separation include fungal infections and primary inflammation due to psoriasis, eczema, or lichen. Other possible causes include trauma, chemical exposure, thyroid disease, and the use of antibiotics and retinoids. To prevent so-called traction (separation of the nail plate), dietary supplements containing iron and vitamins, antifungal medications, and treatments for psoriasis can be beneficial. Regularly trim separating nails, avoid frequent contact with water, or wear gloves during wet tasks.
Nails on both hands and feet should remain dry and clean. Experts also recommend applying moisturizing products to the nail plates daily. It’s crucial to avoid injuries, regularly clean under the nails, and prevent bacterial infections from developing under artificial nails: monitor the color of your natural nail plates as often as possible. Avoid treating nails with toxic products (containing acetone or formaldehyde). Nail technicians recommend cutting nails straight, not too short, and without cutting the cuticle (it’s better to gently push it down). It’s best to do home manicures and pedicures after a bath or shower when the nail plate softens. Proper care and preventive measures will help maintain the natural beauty of healthy nails.
Taking Action
Achieving beautiful nails requires consistent care and dietary practices. It’s essential to adhere to these guidelines regularly. The first results will only be noticeable after a few weeks of treatment, so don’t expect quick effects from a single procedure.
Dietary Adjustments
For healthy nails, it’s important to consume fat-soluble vitamins A, C, E, K, and D. Include calcium-rich foods in your diet, such as fatty fish or hard cheese (calcium is absorbed in the presence of fats). Iron, essential for nails, is found in meat, soy, and legumes. However, iron is poorly absorbed without vitamin C, so pair meat with cabbage and other suitable vegetables. Selenium and gelatin improve nail structure, so regularly prepare jellied dishes and aspics. You’ll also benefit from juices made from oranges, grapefruits, carrots (with cream), parsley roots, and celery. A vegetable cocktail made from a quarter of a green pepper, a whole cucumber, four carrots, and three cabbage leaves can strengthen your nails.
Proper Care
For nails that are splitting, avoid cutting them: use a file instead, and always file in one direction. A protective coating with vitamins E and R will strengthen your nails and prevent brittleness. For nourishing nails and cuticles, use care products containing biotin, which promotes nail recovery and growth (it’s best to apply such a coating at night). To prevent splitting of brittle nails, cover them with products containing alpha-hydroxy acids of natural origin (especially important when frequently using household chemicals for hand washing and dishwashing). Before applying nail polish, use a natural base with proteins: it will protect the plates from harmful dye effects. Instead of a base coat, you can use products designed to smooth the nail surface: silicone compounds and ceramides in flexible base coats will protect nails from yellowing. Nails become dry and brittle due to acetone in nail polish removers, manicure products, and artificial nails. Therefore, it’s wise to give your nail plates a break and not overindulge in “artificial beauty,” as healthy natural nails are always in style.