Noah Sinclair
A change in the colour, texture, or shape of your fingernails can indicate various health issues. For example, white nails could be the result of trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or poisoning. Nails with a bluish tint can indicate a lack of oxygen in the body, which could be caused by a lung problem. Yellow nails are often caused by a fungal infection but can also indicate more severe conditions such as thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or psoriasis. Thick, overgrown nails, known as Onychogryphosis or Ram's horn nails, can be caused by diseases such as psoriasis, ichthyosis, or circulation problems. Spoon-shaped nails can be a sign of iron deficiency. If you notice any changes in your fingernails, it is important to consult a doctor or dermatologist to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | White/leukonychia, yellow, light blue-grey, green-black, or nails with a bluish tint |
| Texture | Thick, pitted, spoon-shaped, overgrown |
| Shape | Nails lifting up |
| Other | Redness and swelling around the nail, slow growth or stopped growth |
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What You'll Learn
- Discolouration: A light blue-grey colour could indicate collagen vascular disease or drug toxicity
- Dark streaks: This could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer
- Spoon-shaped: Thin nails that dip in the middle could be a sign of iron deficiency
- Infection: Redness and swelling around a nail could indicate an infection
- Pitting: Small dents in the nail could be a sign of a disease that affects the entire body
Discolouration: A light blue-grey colour could indicate collagen vascular disease or drug toxicity
Changes in the colour, texture, or shape of your nails can be harmless, but they can also be indicative of an underlying disease. One such change to look out for is discolouration, particularly a light blue-grey colour, which could be a symptom of collagen vascular disease or drug toxicity.
Collagen vascular disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the body's connective tissues, often manifesting in the skin, joints, and blood vessels. It is a chronic condition, meaning that it persists over the long term, and can cause a range of symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and joint pain. Drug toxicity, on the other hand, refers to the harmful effects of medications or other substances on the body. This can occur when a person takes too much of a medication or substance, or when their body is unable to tolerate the amount taken.
In the context of nail health, drug toxicity can cause changes to the nail matrix and nail plate, leading to thinning, fragility, and brittleness of the nails. This can interrupt nail growth and lead to changes in the colour of the nails, such as the light blue-grey discolouration. Certain drugs are more likely to cause these changes, including antiretroviral drugs, ciclosporin, heparin, lithium, methotrexate, and retinoids. These drugs can also cause nails to grow more slowly or quickly than usual.
If you notice a light blue-grey discolouration of your nails, it is important to consult a doctor or a dermatologist, who specialises in treating nail, skin, and hair disorders. They will be able to examine your nails, consider your medical history, and determine whether your nail changes are indicative of collagen vascular disease, drug toxicity, or another condition.
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Dark streaks: This could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer
Changes to the colour, texture, or shape of your nails can sometimes be harmless, but they can also be a sign of disease. One such disease is melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Melanoma can develop under and around the fingernails and toenails, and it is more common in older individuals and people with skin of colour.
When checking your nails for melanoma, dermatologists recommend looking for the following changes: a dark streak, which may look like a brown or black band in the nail, often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail. Dark skin next to your nail is also a potential indicator, as is nail lifting from your fingers or toes, which is when the nail starts to separate from the nail bed. Other symptoms include nail splitting, a bump or nodule under the nail, and a band of colour on the nail, which could be wide and irregular or dark and narrow.
If you notice a new or changing dark streak on your nail, it is important to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer check. Caught early and treated, this may be the only treatment you need. If left untreated, melanoma can rapidly spread to other organs, and treatment becomes more difficult.
It is important to note that not every dark streak is melanoma, but it is always good to have a dermatologist examine it.
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Spoon-shaped: Thin nails that dip in the middle could be a sign of iron deficiency
Spoon-shaped nails, or koilonychia, are a condition where nails become thin, brittle, and concave, resembling the shape of a spoon. This condition can occur in people of all ages, from newborns to adults, and is characterised by a central depression of the nail with elevated lateral aspects. While it can sometimes be harmless, it is often a sign of an underlying medical condition or nutrient deficiency.
Iron deficiency, or anaemia, is the most common cause of spoon-shaped nails. This can occur due to various factors, such as an inadequate intake of iron-rich foods, an inability to absorb iron properly, or blood loss. Certain medical conditions, such as celiac disease, cancer, or intestinal bleeding, can also contribute to iron deficiency. Additionally, living at high altitudes, consuming a vegetarian diet, and engaging in manual labour have been identified as risk factors for developing spoon-shaped nails due to iron deficiency.
Other medical conditions associated with spoon-shaped nails include lupus, heart disease, and endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism. In some cases, spoon-shaped nails can be hereditary or congenital, running in families. Environmental factors, such as trauma to the feet or the use of certain petroleum-based products, have also been linked to the development of spoon-shaped nails.
If you notice that your nails have taken on a spoon-shaped appearance, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. They can perform a physical examination, review your medical history, and conduct blood tests to determine if iron deficiency or another underlying condition is the cause. Treatment options may include addressing the underlying condition, increasing iron intake through dietary changes or supplements, and maintaining proper nail care by keeping nails clean, short, and well-lubricated.
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Infection: Redness and swelling around a nail could indicate an infection
Doctors, specifically dermatologists, may want to see your fingernails to check for any signs of infection or other health issues. Changes in the colour, texture, or shape of your nails can sometimes indicate an underlying health condition that requires medical attention. One particular concern is nail infection, also known as paronychia, which can cause redness and swelling around the nail.
Paronychia is characterised by redness, warmth, and swelling in the skin surrounding a nail. It is often caused by bacterial infections, particularly the Staphylococcus aureus strain, which enters through cuts or broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold. The affected area may also feel tender and be painful. In some cases, a collection of pus may form under the skin next to or underneath the nail, resulting in a white to yellow, pus-filled abscess.
If left untreated, paronychia can lead to abnormal nail growth, with ridges or waves forming on the nail. The nail may also become dry, brittle, and discoloured, taking on a yellow or green hue. In severe cases, the nail may even detach from the nail bed and fall off. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent further complications.
To treat paronychia, healthcare providers typically prescribe oral antibiotics to kill the infection. Soaking the affected nail in warm water two to three times a day can also help reduce swelling and pain. In more severe cases, drainage of the pus or abscess may be necessary, and part of the nail may need to be removed. While paronychia usually responds well to treatment, it is important to follow the prescribed medication regimen and keep the affected area dry to promote proper healing.
Although paronychia is a common and typically mild condition, it can cause discomfort and lead to nail abnormalities if left untreated. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or dermatologist if you notice any redness, swelling, or other changes around your nails. They can provide an accurate diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan to resolve the infection and restore your nail health.
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Pitting: Small dents in the nail could be a sign of a disease that affects the entire body
Doctors, specifically dermatologists, are interested in examining your fingernails because changes in colour, texture, or shape can be indicative of an underlying disease. One such change is pitting, which refers to visibly small dents in the nail surface.
Nail pitting is often a symptom of an underlying condition, such as psoriasis, eczema, alopecia, or arthritis. Psoriasis is an ongoing skin condition that causes skin cells to build up rapidly and can occur anywhere on the body. It is linked to nail changes in around 50% of cases, with nail pitting being the most common manifestation. Alopecia is an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss on the head and body, as well as nail brittleness and pitting. Eczema, particularly dyshidrotic eczema, can also lead to nail pitting, with affected individuals experiencing thick and discoloured nails.
In some cases, nail pitting can be a sign of a more systemic disease that affects the entire body. Sarcoidosis is one such example, where the immune system overreacts and forms clusters of immune cells called granulomas, typically in the lungs but potentially in any organ. While nail changes in sarcoidosis are uncommon, their presence often indicates that the condition has become systemic. Reactive arthritis is another autoimmune disease that can cause nail pitting. It usually occurs after a gastrointestinal or genitourinary tract infection, triggering an immune response that attacks the joints and soft tissue.
If you notice pitting in your nails, it is advisable to consult a doctor. They will assess your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may conduct a skin biopsy to aid in diagnosis. Treating nail pitting can be challenging due to the difficulty in reaching the nail bed with topical medications. However, various treatment options are available, including corticosteroid injections, phototherapy, and immunosuppressant medications.
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Frequently asked questions
Fingernails can reveal a lot about your health. Changes in colour, texture, or shape can indicate anything from dietary deficiencies to serious diseases.
White nails, or leukonychia, can be caused by trauma, anaemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or
Yellow nails can be a sign of a fungal infection. In rare cases, it can indicate a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes, or
Bluish nails can mean your body isn't getting enough oxygen, indicating a lung problem like emphysema.
Pitted nails can be a sign of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, eczema, or alopecia areata. Vertical ridges are generally not a concern, but horizontal ridges, or Beau's lines, may indicate kidney disease or another underlying condition.
