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Are your fingernails ugly? Maybe not ugly, but do they have ridges? Are there pits or white lines? Are they brittle or do they have a strange shape? You may not have noticed during your last checkup, but your doctor probably looked at your fingernails. Mothers may have even told daughters not to wear nail polish to the doctor's office, not remembering why. The Greek physician Hippocrates, as early as 450 B.C., theorized that the nails could tell a lot about the health of the body.

You may not have noticed during your last checkup, but your doctor probably looked at your fingernails.

Small imperfections in your nails may not look like much. A trained eye can interpret these markings as flags for other body systems that deserve a check. Dr. Christine Lane at the American College of Physicians notes that nail changes are rarely the first indication of illness. Other symptoms are more likely to occur first. Not all people with illness have changes in their nails, just as not all nail markings indicate illness.

Before assuming the worst, it's important to look for more common explanations, like injury, having wet hands for a long period of time, or fungal infections. A dermatologist is the best at deciphering nail conditions if you believe your nails may be trying to tell you something.

They're gossiping right in front of you
What may your nails be saying about you? There are a few parameters to examine. Healthy nails are pinkish in color and have a specific shape—slightly raised in the middle, then curving down a bit at the tip.

Variations in color, shape, and texture each are associated with different internal conditions that can affect nail growth. Nails only grow about a millimeter a week, so it can take months for a problem to show up, and more for your nails to grow out so you no longer see the markings. Here are a few reference lists for guidance:

Nail Color Possible Indications
Black/Purple Trauma, vitamin B12 deficiency
Brown/Black vertical streaks Melanoma
Brown Fungal infection
Brown pitted spots, splits Psoriasis
Blue Circulatory or respiratory issues, Lupus, anti-retroviral drugs
Red Poor peripheral circulation, infection
White Kidney problems, liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus
White lines Liver disease, poisoning
Yellow Fungus, diabetes, lymphatic system, consuming antibiotics, heart disease
Half pink, half white Kidney failure
Green Bacterial infection, often from wearing artificial nails
Nail Description Possible Indications
Very bendable soft nails Chemical contact, rheumatoid arthritis, malnutrition, endocrine system
Brittle concave nails Anemia
Brittle nails Chemicals, vitamin A or iron deficiency, kidneys, thyroid problems, circulation
Hard nails, easily split Glandular or nutritional systems, infection, poor circulation
Soft nails with shine and no moon Overactive thyroid
Thick, cloudy, flaking, or lifted Fungal infection
Bumpy nails Thyroid disorder
Clubbed, rounded, curled tip Lung disease/cancer, heart disease, TB, chronic infections, abscess
Crack, peel, chip easily Lack of protein and minerals in diet
Flat nails Raynaud's disease (perpetually cold hands and feet)
Hammered with brass look Tendency towards hair loss
Loose Injury, infection, medicines, chemotherapy, thyroid, Lupus
Horizontal ridges Follows illness or injury, infection, malnutrition, thyroid disorder
Longitudinal ridges Aging, slow absorption of minerals and vitamins, malnutrition, thyroid
Pitted nails or split tips Eczema, psoriasis, hair loss
Separates from nail bed Thyroid disorder
Spoon-shaped (koilonychia) Iron deficiency, thyroid disorder, vitamin B12 deficiency
Square, very wide nails Hormone imbalance
Thick nails Vitamin deficiency, fungal infection, arteriosclerosis, psoriasis
Very thick nails Circulation problems
Long-standing warts Squamous cell cancer
Dark, flat or thin nails Vitamin B12 deficiency
Few white spots/lines (leuchonychia) Leuchonychia (trauma to the nail), cuticle pushed back too roughly
Red swelling around nail Paronychia (damaged skin from biting, picking, sucking, chemicals, bacteria)
Hang nails Vitamin C deficiency
Lunula (Moons) Possible Indications
Overly large moons Overactive thyroid, genetics, trauma from habit
No moons Underactive thyroid, genetics
Blue moon Circulation, heart or respiratory disorder, Lupus, emphysema
Non-white moon Pituitary

Dermatologist Dr. Joshua Fox says that while most of his patients don't come in to report nail problems, he often checks them anyway. Nails offer many little clues, such as Lupus patients getting quirky, angular blood vessels in their nail folds. Even obsessive-compulsive disorder can show up in the nails through persistent picking or biting.

Keep my nails healthy Most commonly the reasons for unhealthy nails are poor nutrition, thyroid problems, and fungus. Protein is particularly important for healthy nails. If you're getting enough protein though, adding more won't improve them. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are usually correctable with supplements. Avoid harsh chemicals like cleaning products or even nail polish remover. Wear rubber gloves if you frequently have your hands in water more than for washing hands. When your nails are wet the swell, shrinking again when dry. This can make nails fragile. Excessively cold and warm temperatures can also injure the cuticles. Don't pick or bite your nails as this frequently leads to repeated infections and even abscess. If you have diabetes, be especially kind to your hands which are more fragile than normal.

Overall, your nails are not likely to be the first sign of a health problem. Many people ignore chronic health problems though, or fail to do anything about them. If these conditions are showing up in your nails (which takes a few months), then it's seriously time to do something about your health. Take a look at your nails and those of your friends and family. Are they telling you anything that should be said in words?