If your nails are fragile, thin, and prone to breaking, it might be time to consult with a dermatologist.

While alterations in the color, texture, and shape of your nails can be harmless, they might also signal underlying health issues at times.

So, what do your nails really communicate about your health? Here’s everything dermatologists believe you should understand, from what healthy nails should look like to potential health problems that might affect them.

Characteristics of healthy nails

“Healthy nails should be smooth without ridges, bumps, or indentations,” explains Dr. Soraya Azzawi, MD, FAAD, a certified dermatologist and clinical instructor at UCLA. The nail surface should be even, without grooves, and maintain a consistent texture, she notes.

A sign of good nail health is their resilience. According to Azzawi, healthy nails are flexible yet not easily breakable.

She also mentions that healthy nails should have a pinkish hue. “You shouldn’t see any yellowing, dark spots, or whiteness on the nails,” she clarifies.

Furthermore, according to Dr. Thomas Stringer, a dermatologist at MedStar Health, the cuticle should be intact, and the nail plate should be properly attached to the nail bed.

What do your nails indicate about your health?

<p“A person’s fingernails, along with their skin and hair, can be good indicators of general health,” states Azzawi.

Changes in the color, texture, and shape of nails can occasionally be normal. However, some changes are often linked to either acute or chronic health issues, according to Stringer.

Beau’s lines are horizontal grooves in nails that occur due to recent temporary disturbances in the body, such as a viral illness or trauma, Azzawi describes.

Clubbed nails, which display increased curvature, have been connected to various pulmonary, cardiovascular, and thyroid conditions, according to Azzawi.

Conditions like Lindsay’s nails and Terry’s nails cause noticeable color changes in the nails. Lindsay’s nails will appear half white and half red or brown, whereas Terry’s nails look predominantly white. Both of these conditions are linked to liver or heart issues, Stringer explains.

Nails that are thin, brittle, and rough can arise from a few factors. Brittle nails may indicate metabolic conditions such as thyroid disease and iron deficiency anemia. However, Stringer notes that age is perhaps the most common reason for brittle nails. Additionally, fungal infections can contribute to this condition, as can hormonal changes, Azzawi adds.

Nail crumbling and separation from the nail bed may signal nail psoriasis. Nail psoriasis itself is a standalone condition but also heightens the risk of psoriatic arthritis. Therefore, Stringer actively screens for psoriatic arthritis in patients with nail psoriasis symptoms due to their increased risk.

Long, dark brown or red lines running vertically along the nail may suggest splinter hemorrhages, often resulting from minor trauma. However, they might also come from nail psoriasis or longitudinal melanonychia (essentially a mole on the nail), according to Stringer. In severe cases, these could indicate squamous cell carcinoma, Azzawi warns.

White spots on the nails typically indicate a minor disturbance in the nail plate from trauma but can also signify nail psoriasis or liver diseases, Stringer notes.

When to consult a doctor regarding nail changes

Not every alteration in your nails is alarming. Still, if you notice any “sudden changes you can’t easily explain that seem to be emanating from the nails,” it’s advisable to seek medical advice, Stringer says. This is particularly true if there are any visible growths around the nail or if nail brittleness becomes extreme.

Azzawi recommends consulting with a healthcare professional if you experience:

• Swelling or pain around the nails (indicating possible infection)
• Nails that haven’t fully grown out
• Bleeding near the nails
• Nails lifting from the nail bed
• Changes in nail shape or texture (such as curled or increasingly curved nails)

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