Sophia Delgado
Changes in the appearance of your nails can indicate a variety of health conditions. For example, deep grooves in your nails could mean that something slowed or stopped their growth for a while. Curved nails could be a harmless trait, or a sign of disease. Nails with a bluish tint could mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, while dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Deep grooves/gaps in nails | Something slowed or stopped nail growth |
| Curved nails | Could be harmless or a sign of disease |
| Fingertips swell | Could be a sign of disease |
| Nails feel spongy | Could be a sign of disease |
| Nail colour change | Could be a sign of disease |
| Lunula extends almost to the end of the nail | Could signal cirrhosis, chronic renal failure or congestive heart failure |
| Lunula has a bluish tint | Could suggest Wilson's disease |
| Lunula is red | Could indicate heart failure |
| Half-and-half nails | Could indicate severe kidney disease |
| Rippled or pitted nail surface | Could be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis |
| Dry, brittle nails | Could be a sign of thyroid disease |
| Yellowish hue | Could be a sign of fungal infection |
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What You'll Learn
Deep grooves or gaps in nails
Nail abnormalities are rarely the first sign of a health problem, and many are harmless. However, if you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is best to see a doctor or dermatologist.
Other nail changes that could indicate a health problem include clubbing (where nails curve downwards), a bluish tint (which could indicate a lung or heart problem), and a rippled or pitted nail surface (which may be a sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis). Discolouration of the nail is common, and the skin under the nail can often seem reddish-brown. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease, while cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue could indicate a fungal infection.
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Curved nails
Nail abnormalities are rarely the first sign of a condition, and many are harmless. However, if you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is always best to seek medical advice. Changes in nail colour can be indicative of certain health issues. For example, nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, which could indicate a lung problem such as emphysema, or a heart problem. Lunulae that have a blueish tint could suggest Wilson's disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, brain and other organs. Red lunulae may indicate heart failure. In patients with severe kidney disease, it is not uncommon to see half-and-half nails, where the white from the lunula extends halfway up the nail bed, and the other half of the nail is darker in colour.
Deep grooves or gaps in the nails are common and usually nothing to worry about. However, if you see deep grooves that run the width of your nail, it means that something slowed or stopped your nails from growing for a while. This condition is known as onychomadesis. Rippled or pitted nails may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease, while cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
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Colour change
Red lunulae may indicate heart failure, and half-and-half nails, where the white from the lunula extends halfway up the nail bed, and the other half of the nail is darker in colour, can be seen in patients with severe kidney disease.
Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
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Lunula shape and colour
The lunula is the white, half-moon shape at the base of the nail. The size of the lunula varies from person to person, and it can be absent altogether in some people. The lunula is the visible part of the nail matrix, which is the area where new nail cells are made.
Nails with a bluish tint can also mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, which could indicate a lung problem such as emphysema, or a heart problem. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
Deep grooves or gaps in the nail can be caused by something that slows or stops nail growth for a while. The medical term for this is onychomadesis. Curved nails can be a harmless trait that runs in the family, but they can also be a sign of disease.
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Rippled or pitted nails
If your nail starts to curve, it could be a harmless trait that runs in your family, but it could also be a sign of a disease in the body. If you notice your fingernails starting to curve, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist.
Deep grooves or gaps that run the width of your nail could mean that something slowed or stopped your nails from growing for a while. This condition is called onychomadesis.
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 is called Terry’s nails. Lunulae that have a bluish tint could suggest Wilson’s disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, brain and other organs. Red lunulae may indicate heart failure, and half-and-half nails, where the white from the lunula extends halfway up the nail bed, and the other half of the nail is darker in colour, can be a sign of severe kidney disease.
Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen, which could indicate a lung problem, such as emphysema, or a heart problem.
If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discolouration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown. Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
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Frequently asked questions
Curved nails can be a harmless trait, which runs in the family. However, if your fingernails start to curve, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist. Curved nails can also be a sign that you have a disease in the body.
A disease inside your body can cause your nails to change colour. Lunulae that have a bluish tint could suggest Wilson’s disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, brain and other organs. Red lunulae may indicate heart failure.
Deep grooves (or gaps) that run the length of a nail are common and usually nothing to worry about. However, if you see deep grooves that run the width of your nail, it means that something slowed (or stopped) your nails from growing for a while. The medical name for this condition is onychomadesis.
Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.
