UNGUAL CLUES: The Link between Your NAILS and HEALTH

Have you been naughty or nice to your nails?

The word ungual is from the Latin word unguis meaning nail. Of course, we’re referring to your fingernails and toenails and not hammer and nails. Nail health is no simple matter. A complete physical examination done by your healthcare practitioner should include an inspection of your nails.

Nail examination is as old as the art of medicine. Your nails are like tiny windows into your health. They say a lot about you regarding your present and past medical history. Your liver, heart or lungs might already be complaining about your health and be speaking up to be heard through your nails!

Your nails aren’t dead. They are actually dynamic enough to reflect changes happening inside your body. Although unique in some respects, your nails are made up of the same basic ingredients as other parts of your body are. If these ingredients are lacking or defective, then the effects may be seen in your nails.

Under normal conditions, a well taken care of nail appears smooth and devoid of ridges or grooves. A slight pink colour can be seen under your nail. This is because of the rich blood supply in that region. All of your nails should be of the same natural colour (nail polish excluded). Though there are some variations out there with regards to normal nail appearances.

Below are some common clues you may encounter when examining your nails:

Physical Clue	What it looks like…	What it may mean…
Pitting	Small and shallow depressions on your nail.	You may be suffering from psoriasis or alopecia areata. These are autoimmune disorders that target your skin and scalp respectively. Also, any inflammatory condition of the skin which affects your hands and feet (e.g. atopic dermatitis) can lead to nail pitting.
White spots or lines on the nails (leukonychia)	White spots or transverse white lines on your nails.	It’s commonly thought that white spots indicate calcium or zinc deficiency, but these usually represent past injury to your nails and will grow out eventually. Less commonly white spots can also be caused by a fungal infection of the nail. However transverse white lines may also be linked to a calcium or zinc deficiency.
Spoon-shaped nails (koilonychias)	As the term suggests, your nails are shaped like spoons. In fact, their shape is so convincing that you can trap a small amount of liquid on them like a spoon.	Can happen if you’re deficient in iron. Interestingly, people with an excess of iron in their system (hemochromatosis) can also develop spoon-shaped nails. May also be present with SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus).
Terry’s nail	Let’s not get too wrapped up in who Terry is. Let’s focus on his (or her?) nail. Terry’s nail is plain white with a dark red tip. The normal pink colour under the nail is gone because of the decrease in blood flow making your nail appear white.	May be seen in any of the following conditions: Liver cirrhosis – up to 80% of people with this condition can show up with Terry’s nail. If you’re deficient in iron. If you have diabetes. Hyperthyroidism.
Clubbing	Who likes to go clubbing? Your nails do if you don’t give them enough oxygen to breath. Your nails together with the rest of your fingers have the appearance of small caveman-like clubs. Poor circulation in your finger tips may also give a dark blue hue to your nails.	Clubbing is serious and can be seen in people with: Heart problems like cyanotic heart diseases and endocarditis (infection of the heart valves). Pulmonary problems like cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. Digestive system problems like inflammatory bowel disease.
Nail biting (onychophagia)	Fingernails bitten short which are sometimes bitten right back into the nail bed. This can make them look red with irritated cuticles and may also lead to infections around the nails.	Nail biting is usually a nervous habit. It may appear to help with stress relief. It can become a problem if the fingers and nails become sore, damaged or infected.
Yellow and crumbly nails	Your nails become brittle and discoloured (yellow).	Can be a sign of onychomycosis. It’s a fungal infection of your nails, more prominently seen on your toenails. Other conditions which can result in yellow and crumbly nails are: Thyroid problem (hyper- or hypothyroidism) Psoriasis Rheumatoid arthritis
Beau’s lines	There’s nothing beautiful about Beau’s lines. Your nails develop transverse linear depressions because of a severe disease that interferes with the growth of your nails.	Serious diseases that produce Beau’s lines include: Trauma or injury to your nail. Raynaud’s disease. Effects of chemotherapy. They may also be a sign of a zinc deficiency.
Vertical ridges	Nothing much to worry about if the ridges are vertical. You only need to watch out for horizontal ridges on your nails (as described above).	Part of YOUR natural ageing process.
Brittle nail syndrome	Weak and brittle nails that crack easily.	May be caused by nutritional deficiencies, trauma or vascular issues. Biotin was found to help this condition. See below for other nutrients to support healthy nails.
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Be nice to your nails by…

Not biting your nails! If you’re an adult, please make a conscious and convincing effort not to make a meal out of your nails. If you’re stressed out, try some relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation instead.
Practice proper nail hygiene. And no, don’t just pass this one off as the usual. Keep your nails clean and dry. Use the right type of gloves for the specific task at hand. Trim those long nails!

Feed your nails with enough of the right nutrients. Consume enough of the B vitamins especially biotin. Supplementation with biotin lessens nail brittleness. Also, don’t forget vitamins C, D, and E. All these vitamins make your nails stronger. Minerals like zinc, iron, silica, boron, calcium, selenium, copper and manganese are also important for healthy nails, not to mention a healthy body and may affect the appearance of your nails. Some nail experts claim that any nutritional deficiency may affect nail health. Make sure you eat a full and balanced diet.

Nutrient	Source
Vitamins
B vitamins	Meat, eggs, dairy, legumes
Biotin	Eggs, liver, kidney, milk, whole grains
Vitamin C	Blackcurrant, kiwi fruit, citrus fruit, guavas, peppers, parsley
Vitamin D	Oily fish and fish livers, beef liver, eggs, dairy
Vitamin E	Nuts, beef, eggs, avocado
Minerals
Boron	Nuts, apples, pears, prunes, raisins, legumes
Calcium	Almonds, dairy, eggs, green leafy vegetables, sesame seeds, sardines, broccoli
Copper	Nuts, seeds, legumes, cocoa, buckwheat, oysters, mushrooms
Manganese	Nuts, legumes, kelp, liver, olives broccoli, carrots
Selenium	Brazil nuts, alfalfa, eggs, fish, garlic, kidney, liver, oysters
Silica	Root vegetables, whole grains, horsetail herb
Zinc	Oysters, pumpkin seeds, eggs, herrings, milk
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Nail down your ungual problems

Remember, your nails are like tiny windows to what has happened or is happening inside your body. It’s not your job to know your medical diagnosis when examining your nails. Noticing something abnormal in them is what’s more essential. Ask your healthcare practitioner if you notice a change in their colour, texture, shape or thickness. Take good care of your nails. They’re not just there so you can do something at the nail spa or salon while gossiping (just kidding).