What Your Nails Reveal About Your Health

Your nails do more than protect the skin underneath—they can also serve as indicators of various health conditions.

Fingernails provide key insights into overall health, signaling everything from nutritional deficiencies to serious medical issues.

Dr. Dan Baumgardt, a general practitioner, highlights that nails can act as a diagnostic tool.

For instance, clubbing—where nails soften and lose their normal angle—can suggest low blood oxygen levels, often linked to lung cancer or heart valve infections.

Discolored or white nails may indicate liver disease or diabetes, particularly when they appear uniformly pale, which could point to protein deficiencies.

Fungal infections commonly cause yellow or white discoloration, especially in toenails.

Additionally, changes in nail shape, such as the inward curve seen in koilonychia, might signal anemia or other blood-related conditions.

While some nail changes are harmless—resulting from trauma or frequent hand washing—persistent alterations in texture, shape, or color should not be ignored.

Beau’s lines, or horizontal ridges, may suggest nutrient deficiencies, such as inadequate zinc or protein intake. Brittle nails could be a sign of hypothyroidism or a vitamin B7 deficiency.

Although nails reveal valuable health clues, a medical professional should evaluate significant or lasting changes for proper diagnosis and treatment.