Sophia Delgado
The colour of your nail beds can indicate a lot about your health. While changes in colour, texture, or shape can be harmless, they can also signal health problems. For example, white nails can indicate trauma, liver disease, or even poisoning, while yellow nails can be a sign of a fungal infection or thyroid problems. Nails with a bluish tint can suggest that the body isn't getting enough oxygen, which could be linked to a lung problem or heart disease. Dark streaks or thick black/brown lines on the nail may indicate melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. If you notice any changes in your nail beds, it's important to consult a dermatologist or your doctor to determine if there are any underlying health issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| White nails | Trauma, liver disease, anemia, dietary deficiencies, kidney disease, poisoning, hepatitis, ageing, genetic trait, protein deficiency, chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, congestive heart failure |
| Bluish nails | Lack of oxygen, lung problem, emphysema, heart disease |
| Yellow nails | Fungal infection, lung disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, psoriasis, lymphatic system problems, respiratory issues, liver anomalies, sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lymph accumulation, genetic trait, smoking, nail polish stains |
| Greenish-black nails | Bacterial nail infection |
| Black or brown lines | Melanoma |
| Thick, slow-growing nails | Lung diseases, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, fluid in lungs, Raynaud's phenomenon |
| Thin or soft nails | Exposure to chemicals, detergents, nail polish remover |
| Dry, brittle nails | Thyroid disease, exposure to water, nail polish, nail polish remover, alcohol-based hand sanitizers |
| Pitted nails | Alopecia areata, autoimmune disease, psoriasis |
| Spoon-shaped nails | Anemia, hypothyroidism, liver problems |
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What You'll Learn
White nails
Another possible cause of white nails is a nutritional deficiency, particularly a lack of zinc, calcium, or protein. Certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease, can also cause white nails. In these cases, the white appearance of the nails may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as nail thinning, brittleness, or changes in shape.
Additionally, white nails can sometimes indicate more serious underlying health issues, including heart disease, liver disease, or diabetes. In these cases, the white nails may signal poor circulation or side effects from medications or treatments. It is important to note that white nails can also be a side effect of certain medications, including chemotherapy drugs or antibiotics.
If you notice that your nails have turned white, it is always best to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms or if the discoloration persists or worsens. While it may be nothing to worry about, it could also indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention.
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Yellow nails
If you are concerned about yellow nails, there are at-home remedies that may help, such as soaking your nails in hydrogen peroxide or a mixture of baking soda and warm water. However, if your nails continue to be yellow for more than a few days, or if you notice other nail changes or symptoms, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare provider or dermatologist.
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Blue nails
However, if your nails remain blue, there may be an underlying condition or structural difference interfering with your body's ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood. Health conditions involving the lungs, heart, blood cells, or blood vessels can cause the blue discolouration in your nails. These include pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), pneumonia, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe illness with COVID-19. Lung conditions can cause lower-than-typical levels of oxygen in the blood, also known as hypoxemia.
Heart conditions can also affect how much oxygen-rich blood reaches your body tissues, and blue nails can sometimes be caused by a heart murmur. While heart murmurs can be harmless, they can also indicate a structural heart condition such as a hole between two or more of the heart's chambers, known as an atrial or ventricular septal defect. If your blue nails are caused by a serious heart issue, your physician may refer you to a specialist heart program.
In addition to fingernails, cyanosis commonly impacts the lips, gums, hands, soles of the feet, and the skin around the eyes. It can affect people of all ages, including newborns, and it is important to see a healthcare provider to determine the cause.
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Green nails
The colour of your nails can reveal a lot about your health. While healthy nails are generally pink, with a white tip and a subtle shine on the cuticle, any deviation from this in terms of shape, size or colour could be a red flag.
If you notice green discolouration on your nails, it is important to clean the natural nail bed and sanitise it. You should also wash your hands frequently with water or use an alcohol-based sanitiser to keep the bacteria at bay. If the green discolouration is on the surface of the nail plate and hasn't gone deep into the nail, a quick clean-up may be sufficient. However, if the infection persists or you are concerned, it is recommended to seek medical advice.
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Black nails
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Frequently asked questions
White nail beds, also known as leukonychia, can be indicative of several health issues, including trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, kidney or liver disease, heart disease, or poisoning. If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis.
Yellow nail beds can be caused by various factors, including dark nail polish, smoking, or a fungal infection. In some cases, yellow nails may indicate more serious issues such as rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory disease, thyroid disease, diabetes, or even severe lung disease.
Blue or purple nail beds, known as cyanosis, suggest that the body is not getting enough oxygen. This could be an indication of a lung problem, such as emphysema, or a heart condition affecting the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
