Nails as an indicator of general health

Nails can be helpful in gauging your general health and should be a healthy pink color. However, some signs may indicate problems, and with this in mind we have listed a few general indications, where your nails may show possible problems.

Please note - this information regarding your nails mirroring your general health, is provided for information purposes only, and should NOT be used to diagnose or treat any illness. If in doubt regarding your health, please consult your doctor.

Also keep in mind that your nails may look a particular way for another reason totally unrelated to your health, but could be due to mechanical or environmental influences. Your beauty therapist and manicurist should also be able to guide you in this field.

On this page

• Blue nails
• Brittle nails
• Brown spots under nails
• Cracking of nails
• Clubbing of fingers and nails
• Color bands
• Curving of nails
• Darkening of nails on the sides
• Flat nails
• Red or brown lines
• Nails separated from the nail bed
• Nails peeling in layers
• Ridges
• Splitting nails
• Spooning of nails
• Thick nails
• White spots
• White areas under nails
• Yellow nails

• Blue nails

  • May be indicative of pulmonary obstruction, emphysema or lung disease.

• Brittle nails

  • May be indicative of an iron deficiency, thyroid problems, circulatory problems or poor kidney function, but in general this is due to over exposure to chemicals such as washing powder, dish washing liquid, car washing preparations, as well as harsh chemicals such as paint, turpentine, nail polish remover etc.

• Brown spots under nails

  • May be indicative of psoriasis.

• Cracking

  • May indicate a deficiency of protein or minerals.

• Clubbing of fingers and nails

  • Extreme rounding of the nails is often a sign of pulmonary, lung or intestinal disease.

• Color bands

  • In Caucasian people, color bands under the nail may indicate cancer, while in non-Caucasian people it is usually a normal occurrence.

• Curving

  • May indicate hypo or hyper thyroid, iron deficiency or psoriasis.

• Darkening of nails (on the sides)

  • This may be indicative of kidney disease.

• Flat nails

  • May be indicative of vitamin B 12 deficiency or of Raynaud's disease that affects the circulation.

• Lines (red or brown)

  • Splinter hemorrhage shows up as red or brown lines along the long axis of the nail and may be caused by endocarditis (an inflammation of the heart membranes) or trichinosis (a parasitic infection from undercooked pork).

• Nails separated from the nail bed

  • May be indicative of a bacterial or fungal infection under the nail or could indicate a thyroid problem.

• Peeling of nails (in layers)

  • Could indicate very dry nails and you could do with more moisturizing hand lotion or cuticle massage cream.

• Ridges

  • Vertical lines are considered normal.

• Splitting nails

  • May indicate trauma to the nail or a vitamin deficiency.

• Spooning of nails

  • May be caused by an iron deficiency.

• Thick nails

  • May be indicative of poor blood circulation to the nail.

• White spots

  • In most cases this is due to a zinc deficiency or injuries to the nail bed. It can however also be indicative of certain internal problems such as arthritis, or from poisoning.

• White nails

  • May be indicative of kidney or liver disorders or anemia.

• White areas under nails

  • When there are white areas visible under the nail, normally at the tip of the nail where it joins the nail bed, this normally indicates a fungal infection and must be treated medically.

• Yellow nails

  • Can be indicative of problems with the lymphatic system, respiratory disorders, diabetes or liver.

Some other articles of interest

• Cosmetic surgery
• DNA and aging
• Antioxidants and aging
• Nutrition and aging
• Sun damage, photoaging and sun tanning
• Daily skin care for a younger face
• Sleep and aging
• Anti-aging diet and supplements
• Stress, meditation and aging
• Hair care and premature hair loss
• Hair growth cycles
• Development of acne
• Acne terms explained
• Age groups affected by acne
• Oral and topical acne medication
• Isotretinoin treatment (Roaccutane/Accutane) for acne
• Acne scars
• Cosmetic ingredients causing acne
• Acne myths and facts
• Psychological effects of acne and pimples
• Apple cider vinegar diet
• Cosmetic testing on animals
• Causes of baggy puffy eyes
• Factors causing erythema (skin redness)
• Exfoliating the skin to remove dead skin cells
• Facial massage to fight baggy eyes
• Ordering Dermaxime products
• Dermaxime fax order form
• The role of fatty acids in the human body
• Tight and taut skin after washing your face
• Facial exercises
• Formulation of the Dermaxime range
• Glossary of cosmetic terms
• Doing a manicure at home
• Nails as an indicator of general health
• The philosophy of our range
• Positive mental attitude
• The skin
• Preservatives in cosmetics
• Keratinocytes and the skin
• Collagen and the skin
• Elastin and the skin
• Fibroblast and the skin
• Hypoallergenic skin care
• Foot care and choosing shoes
• Posture and computer health
• Information when having a massage