Yes, fingernails can show signs of illness. Fingernail changes can be an indication of health problems, such as anemia, diabetes, psoriasis, dermatitis, kidney and liver diseases, and more. Fingernail changes may be an indication of a chronic illness, such as an autoimmune disorder, or an acute illness that causes changes to the nails quickly.
Fingernail changes can also be a sign of malnutrition or other vitamin deficiencies. Signs of Lyme disease, heart disease, circulatory problems, thyroid issues, and certain infections can also be observed in fingernails.
Fingernail changes that could be cause for concern include discoloration, thickening, ridges, splitting, brittle nails, or crumbling. It’s important to note that fingernail changes can sometimes just be due to aging or injuries and not necessarily illness.
However, if you start to experience changes in your fingernails, it can be a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.
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What diseases can you tell from your fingernails?
Your fingernails can provide clues to your overall health, and can even indicate more serious underlying issues such as nutritional deficiencies and systemic diseases. In particular, fingernail changes may be indicators of the following diseases and conditions:
1. Kidney Disease: Changes to the nails, such as vertical ridges, thin and brittle nails, or changes in color, can be an indication of kidney disease.
2. Hemochromatosis: Dark lines running across the nails horizontally, or a yellowish-brownish discoloration of the nails can be an indication of an iron overload disorder.
3. Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that may cause changes to the nails such as pitting or thickening of the nails. In severe cases, the nail may fall off.
4. Diabetes: Diabetes can cause changes in nail color, swelling and redness around the base of the nail, and separation of the nail from the skin.
5. Fungal Infections: Fungal infections of the nail can cause discoloration, thickening, and sometimes an unpleasant odor.
6. Lung Disease: Clubbing of the nails, where the tips of the fingers become wide and bulbous, is sometimes a sign of lung disease.
7. Raynaud’s Disease: Raynaud’s disease is a disorder of the blood vessels that can cause the skin to change color due to decreased blood flow to the hands and feet. As a result, the nail beds may turn blue.
If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see your doctor to determine the cause and get the appropriate treatment.
What are the 6 common nail diseases?
The six most common nail diseases include fungal infection, lichen planus, psoriasis, trauma/injury, alopecia (nail shedding), and onycholysis (separation of the nail from the skin).
Fungal Infection, also referred to as Onychomycosis, is a common nail disease, where a fungal infection causes nails to become thickened, discolored, or even crumbling. Treatment for this is typically an antifungal medication.
Lichen Planus is an inflammatory, autoimmune disorder that can cause changes in the nails. The nails can become thin and brittle, yellow, and deformed. Treatment for this includes oral or topical steroids as well as other medications to reduce inflammation.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that also results in changes to nails. It can cause the nail bed to become inflamed, leading to red patches underneath the nail and loss of the nail plate (the hard part of the nail).
Trauma/Injury to the nail can cause the nail to become discolored, cracked and even distorted. Treatment for this consists of caring for and protecting the injured nail while it heals.
Alopecia (nail shedding) is the loss of an entire nail. It can be caused by infections, trauma, skin disorders, medications, or even poor nail care. Treatment for this is typically directed at the underlying cause.
Onycholysis is the separation of the nail from the proximal nail fold (skin). It typically looks like a white band separating the nail from the skin and can be caused by contact irritants, fungal infections, psoriasis, thyroid disease, and trauma.
Treatment for this condition consists of avoiding contact irritants and using topical antifungal medications to treat fungal infections or topical retinoids for psoriasis.
Can you tell someone’s health by their fingernails?
Although there is no way to tell someone’s overall health simply by looking at their fingernails, certain factors, such as discolouration or certain nail shapes or textures, can provide clues to various underlying health conditions.
For example, people with a vitamin B12 deficiency often experience a discolouration or darkening of their fingernails. White spots on the nails may suggest a zinc deficiency. Vertical ridges along the length of the nail can be a sign of aging or a condition called anemia.
In addition, thick, brittle nails may be a sign of thyroid dysfunction or circulation problems.
It is important to mention that sudden changes to finger nails should always be investigated further. If someone notices discoloration, ridges, spots, or any other strange changes to their nails, it is best to seek professional medical advice from a doctor.
They will be able to make a more definitive diagnosis and provide advice on appropriate treatments and lifestyle changes.
Can fingernails indicate liver problems?
Yes, it’s possible that fingernails can indicate liver problems. Studies suggest that changes in the appearance of the nails can be an indicator of liver disease. Some of the signs to look out for include discoloration of the nails, hyperpigmentation of the skin around the nails, splinter hemorrhages (small streaks of red or brown under the nail plate), and clubbing of the nails (rounded fingertips).
The presence of these changes should be assessed and evaluated by a health care professional if liver damage is suspected. Furthermore, if you already have or suspect you have liver disease, it is important to practice good hygiene and to keep your fingernails trimmed to reduce the risk of infection.
What are the 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?
The four warning signs of a damaged liver include:
1. Discolored Urine: Dark brown or tea-colored urine is one of the first signs of liver damage and can be a sign of an abnormally high bilirubin level, one of the waste products the liver should be filtering out.
2. Unexplained Weight Loss: Without any change in diet or activity level, unexplained weight loss can be the result of the body not being able to process and store the nutrients it needs due to liver damage.
3. Fluid Retention: Severe liver damage can cause an imbalance of proteins and electrolytes leading to fluid retention, especially in the abdomen, legs, and feet.
4. Yellowing Skin and Eyes: Yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice, is one of the later signs of a damaged liver. High levels of bilirubin in the body cause the skin to have a yellow hue and the whites of the eyes to yellow.
This indicates a buildup of toxins in the liver due to it not being able to effectively filter them out.
What do nails look like with heart problems?
Nails can provide visible indicators of heart problems, particularly if they become clubbed or appear to be engorged with blood. Clubbing is a condition where a person’s fingernails and toenails become abnormally curved and often wider at their tips.
This happens when there is extra circulation of blood around the nail bed and can be caused by chronic hypoxia, or low blood oxygen levels, which can be the result of a number of heart-related issues.
Engorgement often appears as shiny, reddish streaks of blood under the nail, and is caused by enlarged capillaries, which may also be a sign of several cardiovascular conditions. Additionally, unusual ridges, discoloration, or texture in the nails of fingers and toes may be an indicator of an underlying cardiovascular issue.
It is important to visit a doctor if you observe any of these symptoms in your nails, as they can be indicators of irregularities in the cardiovascular system.
Which of the following is a common nail findings in a patient with liver disease?
A common nail finding in a patient with liver disease is referred to as “Terry’s Nails. ” Terry’s Nails are characterized by the distal two-thirds of the nail being white or creamy-colored, with a dark band at the very tip of the nail.
They may be a sign of advanced liver disease, as well as other conditions, such as congestive heart failure and renal failure. Additional findings may include onycholysis (separation of the nail from the nail bed) and secondary fungal infections.
In some cases, Terry’s nails may be associated with anemia. Therefore, it is important for a physician to evaluate any nail changes in a patient with liver disease so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and appropriate medical management can be initiated.
What are the symptoms if your liver is not working properly?
Symptoms of a liver not working properly, or liver failure, can vary greatly and depend on the underlying cause. Some of the most common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, and jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to an accumulation of bilirubin.
Other symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, dark urine, itching and confusion. As liver failure progresses, complications such as fluid buildup in the abdomen, reduced blood clotting, and mental confusion and coma can occur.
In the late stages, the patient may become less responsive, experience seizures, and eventually slip into a coma. If the liver failure is caused by severe or prolonged alcohol consumption, the patient may also experience abdominal pain, vomiting of blood or coffee-colored material, and distention of the abdomen due to fluid accumulation.
What do renal failure nails look like?
Renal failure nails can take on several distinctive appearances and can be an indicator that the kidneys are not functioning correctly. Early signs of renal failure nails may include yellow or orange discoloration of the nails or a very pale or whitish nail plate.
As renal failure progresses, the discolorations may become dark brown, purple, or black. Furthermore, there may be an increased texture to the nail plate, such as an increased number of ridges or a bumpy texture.
Overgrown cuticles, white spots, and detached nails may also be present in cases of more severe renal failure. Renal failure nails can be associated with other systemic diseases and are an early indicator of chronic renal failure.
If you observe any of these changes in your nails, then it is important to speak to your doctor to get your renal function checked.
What nail problems can indicate health problems?
Nail problems can give us important clues about our overall health, since conditions such as discoloration, thickening, or splitting can indicate a number of health issues. Some of the more common nail-related problems that may indicate an underlying health concern include:
Fungal nails: Also known as onychomycosis, this condition occurs when a fungus infects toenails and fingernails and is characterized by discoloration and crumbling of the nail. Fungal nails often occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as diabetics, and treatment typically consists of topical or oral anti-fungal medications.
White spots on nails: This is a very common nail issue and is typically indicative of calcium or zinc deficiency, particularly if the spots occur in several nails at once. In some cases, white spots on the nails can be a sign of an injury, calcium build-up due to overexposure to nail products like polish remover, or anemia.
Clubbing: Also known as drumstick fingers, clubbing is a condition where the tips of the fingers or toes become enlarged or rounded, often accompanied by a painless enlargement of the fingertip’s nail bed.
Clubbing can be a sign of lung disease, heart disease, or liver disease, and treatment typically consists of addressing the underlying cause.
Brittle nails: Weak and split nails are often low in protein, fat, and iron and can be a sign of malnutrition or anemia. People who frequently use nail polish remover are also prone to brittle nails.
Increasing your intake of foods rich in proteins, fats, and iron may help treat and prevent split and brittle nails.
Beau’s lines: Deep grooves or furrows running from side to side across the fingernail can be indicative of a systemic disease or significant illness, such as diabetes mellitus, vitamin B or zinc deficiency, or anemia.
In most cases, Beau’s lines grow out with the nail and no treatment is necessary; however, if the lines are deep and associated with other symptoms, an underlying medical condition should be investigated.
Overall, any sudden changes in the appearance of your nails should not be ignored and can be a sign of an underlying health problem. It is always best to consult with a doctor to help diagnose the cause of your nail changes and discuss treatment options.
When should you worry about your fingernails?
It is generally advised to pay attention to the appearance and health of your fingernails. If you notice changes such as discoloration, roughening of the nails, or splitting of the nails, this could be a sign of an underlying medical issue.
For example, blue nails can signal an oxygen deficiency due to poor circulation, while white nails may indicate an iron deficiency. Yellowing of the nails typically points to a fungal infection, while changes such as crumbling or Beau lines (long, deep ridges) could signal a possible autoimmune disorder or metabolic disorder.
Additionally, if your nails have become pitted (small dents) or distorted, it could be a sign of psoriasis, alopecia or eczema.
If your nails look abnormal or unhealthy, it’s important to seek medical attention so that any underlying issues can be addressed. Additionally, if you find that you are picking at your cuticles and nails excessively, avoiding stains on your fingers, or having trouble with nail biting, you may need to seek help from a mental health professional to identify potential triggers.
Taking the time to examine your nails can help catch any potential health issues before they become more serious.
Why would a doctor check your fingernails?
A doctor might check your fingernails during a physical examination as part of a complete assessment of your general health. Fingernails can provide insight into certain underlying health conditions such as anemia, diabetes, kidney and liver diseases, and thyroid problems.
A doctor might look at the shape, color and texture of your nails to determine if there are any abnormalities that may indicate the presence of an underlying health issue. Fingernails can also reveal signs of infection; for example, changes in texture or color can be signs of a fungal infection.
In addition, nail ridges, clubbing or spooning can be signs of lung or heart disease. Furthermore, a doctor might also look for signs of physical injury or abuse. As such, it is important to see a doctor if you have any changes in your fingernails even if those changes are not painful.
This can help them accurately assess your overall health and treat any possible underlying or associated health issues.
