Caleb Foster
Your nails can reveal a lot about your health and personality. The colour, shape, and texture of your nails can indicate underlying health conditions or diseases. For example, white or yellow discolouration on your toenails could be a sign of a fungal infection. Nails are an extension of the skin, and can be revealing of a person's underlying health. The colour of your nail polish can also say a lot about your personality. For example, if your nails are painted scarlet red, you have made a bold and glamorous statement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Color | White or yellow discolouration on toenails may indicate a fungal infection |
| Shape | A change in the size of the white half-moon shape at the base of the nail, called a lunula, may indicate an underlying disease |
| Texture | Not mentioned |
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What You'll Learn
- Fingernails can indicate the status of your overall health
- The colour of your nail polish can say a lot about your personality
- Nails are an extension of the skin, and can reveal a lot about your body
- A change in the colour or size of the white half-moon shape at the base of your nail could indicate an underlying disease
- White or yellow discolouration on your toenails could be a sign of a fungal infection
Fingernails can indicate the status of your overall health
The colour, shape and texture of your nails can provide hints about your general health. For example, if you see white or yellow discolouration on your toenails, this could be a sign of a fungal infection. Changes in the colour or size of the white half-moon shape at the base of your nail, called the lunula, may also indicate an underlying disease. For instance, if the lunula extends almost to the end of the nail, making the majority of the nail white except for a narrow band at the top, it could signal cirrhosis, chronic renal failure or congestive heart failure. This condition, called Terry's nails, can also be attributed to ageing.
Jeffrey Linder, M.D., chief of general internal medicine and geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, always begins an exam by looking at a patient's hands. "It gives you a sense of a person's general health and might give you a hint about what kind of work they do," he says. "And then looking at the nails, occasionally there are clues to conditions or diseases."
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The colour of your nail polish can say a lot about your personality
If you're a fan of scarlet red, for example, you've made a bold choice and a glamorous statement. You're not afraid to stand out and be noticed.
On the other hand, if you prefer more natural shades, you might be someone who likes to keep things simple and understated. You might favour a more classic, timeless look over the latest trends.
Bright pops of colour like yellow or neon can suggest a fun, playful personality. You're not afraid to experiment and express yourself through your nail polish choices.
Darker shades like purple or black can indicate a more mysterious or edgy personality. You might be drawn to these colours if you have a unique sense of style or an interest in alternative fashion.
Clear or nude nail polish can give the impression of simplicity and elegance. You might choose these shades if you want to achieve a polished, yet subtle look.
Ultimately, the colour of your nail polish is a form of self-expression and can provide a glimpse into your personality, preferences, and style.
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Nails are an extension of the skin, and can reveal a lot about your body
White or yellow discolouration on your toenails is a sign of a fungal infection. "I think a lot of the time when people have discolouration in the nails they don't realise that it's an infection, so it can get to a point where it becomes quite bad, and then they have to go and see a podiatrist," says Holly Wilkinson, a lecturer in wound healing at the University of Hull.
Jeffrey Linder, M.D., chief of general internal medicine and geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, always begins an exam by looking at a patient's hands. "It gives you a sense of a person's general health and might give you a hint about what kind of work they do," he says. "And then looking at the nails, occasionally there are clues to conditions or diseases."
However, not all changes to the nail are bad. Nails are one of the few parts of the body that you can see from the outside, so they can be a useful way to get a first impression of a patient and start an end-of-the-bed assessment.
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A change in the colour or size of the white half-moon shape at the base of your nail could indicate an underlying disease
The white half-moon shape at the base of your nail is called a lunula. It is usually biggest on the thumbnail and gets smaller as you move down to your pinky finger. A change in the colour or size of the lunula could indicate an underlying disease. For example, if the lunula extends almost to the end of the nail, making the majority of the nail white except for a narrow band at the top, it could signal cirrhosis, chronic renal failure or congestive heart failure. This condition, called Terry's nails, can also be attributed to ageing, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The lunula is not the only part of the nail that can indicate underlying health issues. Nails are extensions of the skin, and your skin can tell you a lot about what's going on in your body. For example, white or yellow discolouration on your toenails could be a sign of a fungal infection.
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White or yellow discolouration on your toenails could be a sign of a fungal infection
Nails can provide hints about the status of your overall health. Their colour, shape and texture can indicate underlying conditions or diseases.
Fungal nail infections are caused by a type of mould called a dermatophyte. They are more common on toenails than fingernails, possibly due to wearing shoes.
If you suspect you have a nail infection, it is important to consult a doctor. Over-the-counter topical medication is available for mild fungal nail infections, but if left untreated, the infection can become more difficult to treat.
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Frequently asked questions
The colour of your nail polish can say a lot about your personality. For example, if your nails are scarlet red, you have made a bold and glamorous statement.
This is called a lunula and a change in colour or size of this feature may indicate an underlying disease. For example, if the lunula extends almost to the end of the nail, it could signal cirrhosis, chronic renal failure or congestive heart failure.
White or yellow discolouration on your toenails is a sign of a fungal infection.
The texture of your nails can provide hints to the status of your overall health.
