What do your nails say about your health?

The nails are also a reflection of our general condition. For example, damaged nails can be a symptom of kidney or heart disease, or diabetes. What to watch for and how nails affect our health?

keep your nails in sight

Take the time to look at your nails closely. You may notice subtle changes in their texture or color: a little white spot here or a little pink shade there? Is the surface perhaps ribbed, striated or covered with small bumps?

At first glance, these imperfections are not a problem, but they are nevertheless good sources of information that should not be overlooked. It is very important to keep the nails of your hands healthy, not only for aesthetic or hygienic reasons, but also because you will therefore be alert to possible changes.

Changes in the color or texture of your nails can sometimes say a lot more about your health than you think.

For strong and healthy nails

• Do not chew or shoot them.

• Do not touch the cuticles : they form a natural barrier against fungi (mycoses) and bacteria. Once this breach is opened, they can no longer act as a protective barrier. When your cuticles are damaged, they become red, swollen, and sometimes painful. They are not very aesthetic. But worse still: the risk is to contract an infection which can affect the nail bed and cause permanent deterioration of the nail and / or its matrix. Cutting or tearing out cuticles is therefore certainly not a good idea, but pushing them too far behind the nail or flush with the contours of the nail can also cause infectious problems.

•Use the hardening varnish with caution : it may do worse than good. In reality, it is better to avoid using hardening varnish, unless you have brittle and ultra-fragile nails.

• Rub your nails , and especially your cuticles, daily with an oil (for example sweet almond) or a moisturizing, nourishing, good quality, hypoallergenic cream. If your nails crack, break, it may mean that they are not hydrated enough.

• Eat healthy foods by focusing on foods that contain enough vitamins and minerals.

• Biotin(vitamin B8) is particularly important for nails, their health and beauty, as well as for the skin in general. Biotin is found in eggs, liver, organ meats, milk and nuts. An excess of vitamin B8 is not dangerous (it is evacuated by urination). Several studies have shown that a biotin supplement increases the thickness of the nails and prevents nails from breaking, crumbling or cracking.
• On the other hand, gelatin is of no help. It doesn’t matter if you swallow it or soak your nails in it, it won’t make them stronger and more resistant. By soaking your nails in gelatin, they may even become soft and very weak.
• For products that contain calciumor yeast , there is no scientific evidence that they have a significant effect on nail health.

• Do not use acetone remover and even less if you have weak nails. This strikes the nail, weakens it strongly and makes it brittle, even brittle.

• Do not use a file that is too rough: it could cause small cracks and crevices. A soft and fine file is much more respectful of the nails. Always file your nails carefully and in one and the same direction, and especially very lightly along the tips of the nails.

• If you have to wash your hands often, your nails will not appreciate. Therefore, regularly coat your hands with moisturizer. Also try to avoid direct contact with chemicals, detergents, cleaning products, dishwashing products …: always wear gloves! .

• Be careful with your shampoo : it may be suitable for your hair, but not necessarily for your nails. This applies mainly to shampoos for oily hair which remove sebum and natural fat from the skin. If you use this kind of shampoo frequently and have very dry nails, they may become even more so.

• Keep your nails clean, but do not clean them too deeply and too vigorously: the areas under the nails can be injured and infected.

• And what applies to the nails of the hands also applies to the nails of the feet, which are even more vulnerable to yeast infections.
What do your nails say about your health?

Nail problems are often linked to external factors: cleaning products, manual work, household chores …

However, the deterioration of the nail condition can indicate a medical problem. In 2005, a team of Irish doctors had concluded that the first signs of osteoporosis were visible on the nails.
What alert symptoms?

• Very pale nails may appear if the red blood cell count is too low, and suggest anemia, liver disease or heart disease.

• White nails may indicate diabetes or heart disease.

• White nails with black edges may suggest a liver problem, such as hepatitis.

• Matt white nails with a pink line on the top are called “Terry’s nails”. The phenomenon can be linked to old age, but can also be a sign of diabetes or a kidney, liver or heart problem.

• Yellow nailsare mainly the result of a fungal infection (fungi). When it gets worse, the nail begins to grow and crumble. Thick, slowly growing yellowish nails can be linked to a lung disorder, such as chronic bronchitis. Yellow nails can be a signal for thyroid dysfunction or diabetes. In people with psoriasis, chronic sinusitis or rheumatoid arthritis, yellow nails are common.

• Nails with bluish reflections can indicate a lack of oxygen. A lung problem, such as emphysema, can be the cause. Some heart conditions are also associated with bluish nails.

• Small holes or streakscan be a symptom of psoriasis or arthritis. Often the nail discolours, and the skin underneath has a reddish brown hue.

• Dry , brittle, brittle, cracking and splitting nails are often linked to a thyroid condition. If this is accompanied by a yellowish tinge, the cause is probably a fungal infection.

• Swollen, red cuticles are the result of inflammation. This can suggest an infection, but also lupus or another connective tissue disease.

• Red nail beds can be a warning sign of heart disease.

• Horizontal lines from side to side, the “Beau’s lines”, can be the symptom of a series of health disorders, or reflect a state of stress.

• Fine, deeper or stronger spoon-shaped nails in the middle may indicate lupus, heart disease, excess or iron deficiency.

• A black line on the nail should be examined as soon as possible by a dermatologist. It can indeed be a sign of malignant melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.

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