Us girls get really worked up about our nails. After all, matching just the right nail color with our outfits is pretty important stuff. But while a broken nail or a little peeling may not be cause for alarm, our nails do reveal something about our overall health. To be sure that you’re in the clear, check out 8 signs that something might be wrong.
1. White spots – As my trusty manicurist once told me, white spots can occur when a nail suffers trauma. Pushing your cuticles back with too much force can be one culprit. But white spots can also indicate a vitamin or mineral deficiency. So beware of this and get it checked out by an MD.
2. White Nails – If your entire nail turns white, there might be cause for concern. Nails that are mostly white with a dark rim can be an indicator of liver problems such as hepatitis. Sometimes even your fingers will be jaundiced which is another symptom of liver trouble.
3. Peeling dry nails – Dry, brittle nails that crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. But cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is most likely due to a fungal infection.
4. Nails with ridges – When the surface of the nail is rippled or pitted, it can be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis.
5. Yellowing of the nails – I know what you’re thinking, yellowing of the nails happens from excessive polish use. And you’re right, partly. If you wear nail polish all of the time, prevent this from happening by using a base-coat. But If you don’t frequently use polish and are still experiencing yellowing of the nails it could be a cause for concern. Discolored nails can come from anything from fungal infections, diabetes, liver, kidney, or even lung conditions. So to be safe, alert your doctor.
6.Thin, flimsy nails – Fragile nails that break easily are usual due to an iron deficiency. So find iron rich foods to add to your diet.
7. Nail biting – The way that you treat your nails can actually determine the current mental state you are in. Nails that are bitten usually indicate persistent anxiety or sometimes even obsessive-compulsive disorder.
8.Dark stripe under your nail – Dark lines beneath the nail need to be investigated as soon as possible because they are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer. I don’t want to scare you ladies, but knowledge is power. If you are experiencing this, make an appointment with your doctor asap.
