Caleb Foster
Changes in your nails can indicate a lot about your health. Doctors can predict and diagnose health issues by looking at the colour, strength and shape of your nails. For example, red nails could be a sign of heart disease or kidney issues, while blue nails could be a sign of poor oxygen circulation. If you notice any changes in your nails, it's important to see a doctor as soon as possible as it could be a sign of a treatable infection or a disease in its early stages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Red nails could indicate heart disease, kidney issues, psoriasis or lupus. Blue nails are a sign of poor oxygen circulation, heart or lung issues. Black stripes from the cuticle to the tip could be a sign of subungal melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer. Healthy nails should be pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed. |
| Shape | Changes in nail shape could indicate a treatable infection or a disease in the early stages. |
| Strength | Nails that are brittle, chipping and breaking easily could be a sign of hypothyroidism. |
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What You'll Learn
Red nails could mean heart disease or kidney issues
Changes in your nails can provide valuable life-saving data. If the shape, strength or colour change suddenly, it could be a sign of a treatable infection or a disease in its early stages.
Red nails could mean possible heart disease or kidney issues. They are also connected to conditions like psoriasis and lupus. If you notice your nails have turned red, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Nails are made of keratin, a protein also responsible for creating hair and skin. Because of keratin’s strong nature, the protein protects the sensitive nerve endings on the fingers. Keratin is present in and around all cells and is a building block for many internal functions.
Healthy nails should look pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed. They should be smooth, clear, and strong.
The Meaning of Nail Colors: Health Insights
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Blue nails are a sign of poor oxygen circulation
Changes in your nails can be a sign of underlying health issues. Doctors can predict and diagnose health issues by looking at the colour, strength and shape of your nails. Healthy nails should be smooth, clear, strong, and pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed.
Other nail changes can also indicate health problems. For example, red nails could be a sign of heart disease, kidney issues, psoriasis or lupus. Vertical black stripes from the cuticle to the tip of the nail could be a sign of subungal melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. Nails that are brittle, chipped or broken could be a sign of hypothyroidism, and pitting on the nail bed could indicate psoriasis.
The Surprising Meaning of Long Pinky Nails
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Vertical black stripes on nails could be a sign of skin cancer
Changes in your nails can provide valuable life-saving data. If the shape, strength or colour change suddenly, see a doctor as soon as possible. The issue could be a treatable infection or a disease in the early stages. For example, red nails could mean possible heart disease or kidney issues, while blue nails are signs of poor oxygen circulation, heart or lung issues.
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Brittle nails could be a sign of hypothyroidism
Changes in your nails can provide valuable life-saving data. If the shape, strength or colour change suddenly, it could be a sign of a treatable infection or a disease in the early stages. Doctors can predict and diagnose health issues by looking at these factors.
Brittle nails, which chip and break easily, could be a sign of hypothyroidism. Nails are made of keratin, a protein also responsible for creating hair and skin. Because of keratin’s strong nature, the protein protects the sensitive nerve endings on the fingers. Keratin is present in and around all cells and is a building block for many internal functions.
Healthy nails should look pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed. If your nails are a different colour, this could indicate a simple deficiency or something more serious. For example, red nails could mean possible heart disease or kidney issues, while blue nails are a sign of poor oxygen circulation, heart or lung issues.
If you notice any changes in your nails, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
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Little holes in the nail bed could be a sign of psoriasis
Changes in your nails can be indicative of a variety of health issues. Doctors can predict and diagnose health issues by looking at the colour, strength and shape of nails. Healthy nails should be smooth, clear, strong, and pink on the nail bed, turning white when grown off the nail bed.
Little holes in the nail bed, known as pitting, could be a sign of psoriasis. Up to 35% of people with psoriasis will experience nail pitting. Psoriasis is also associated with red nails, which could also be a sign of heart disease or kidney issues.
Other nail changes and their potential causes include:
- Blue nails, which are a sign of poor oxygen circulation, heart or lung issues
- A vertical black stripe from the cuticle to the tip, which could be a sign of subungal melanoma, a dangerous skin cancer
- Brittle, chipping and breaking nails, which could be a sign of hypothyroidism
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Frequently asked questions
Changes in the shape, strength or colour of your nails can indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or a disease. If you notice any changes, see a doctor as soon as possible.
Red nails could be a sign of heart disease or kidney issues. They are also connected to conditions like psoriasis and lupus.
Blue nails are a sign of poor oxygen circulation, which could indicate heart or lung issues.
