Your Nails Can Say A lot About Your Health - Slideshow

Introduction

Dermatologists say that your nails are reflective of your health. Your nails and health are interrelated as the condition of your nail is a tell-tale sign of a systemic or skin disease. What your nails say about your health will give you a better diagnosis of your condition.

Your nails provide clues about underlying disorders, intolerance to food or some nutritional deficiencies. To know more about what your nails reveal about your health, read on.

Are you Stressed Out?

Stress, chronic or acute, has a significant effect on the health of your nails. Side to side lines appear on your nails if you have been under stress. Stress is one of the biggest health concerns and nails start showing early symptoms of stress.

Check the Color

One of the most common nail problems is associated with altered color of the nails. The appearance of nail discoloration occurs in lines extending from cuticle to tip and may be indicative of benign moles or cancerous melanomas.

White nails are indicative of lack of iron and problematic blood circulation. The pigmentation changes may sometimes also be related to ethnicity. See your dermatologist if you notice a brown colouration on the skin under the nails.

Common Health Problems

A yellow red discoloration is a nail disease called an "oil drop" or "salmon patch." Pitting in nails is because of a skin condition called psoriasis while appearance of white spots is known as leukonychia. Ridged nails or white streaks or spots are indicative of kidney diseases.

Pitting in nails is also related to some diseases associated with connective tissue such as Reiter's syndrome and alopecia errata. Sometimes small cysts appear near or on the cuticles and are signs of arthritis.

Nail Texture

The texture of your nails also signifies your physical and mental health status. Brittle nails are indicative of liver congestion which may be due to lack of vegetables, pulses and fish intake. Flaky nails are suggestive of excessive sugar, additives or pharmaceutical drug intake. Horizontal ridges appearing on the nails are a sign of high stress levels while vertical ridges may be due to problems in liver, kidney, or digestive system.

The Shape is Important Too

Traditional Chinese medicine points out that the shape of your nail say a lot about the innermost constitution of your system. Oblong nails suggest a healthy, harmonious and well-balanced physical and mental system.

Signs of Aging

Terry's nail is a nail problem in which most of the nails appear white with a narrow pink band at the tip. The appearance of this condition is attributed to aging. It may also occur due to a disorder of liver, congestive heart failure, kidney failure or diabetes.

Slow Growing Nails

Appearance of yellow nails, thickening of nails and slowing of fresh growth is due to a respiratory disorder such as chronic bronchitis or swelling of hands.

Eat Well for Good Finger Nail Health

Reduce food with high sugar content.

Ensure proper intake of vitamin B and zinc as these are considered good for health. Increase your magnesium intake to increase blood and promote pink coloration of the nails. Flush out your system with ample supplies of fresh vegetables and at least 5 glasses of water.

Nail Care Tips

It is important to take care of fingernail health to keep them hygienic, strong and healthy.

Some of the nail care tips which are easy to follow include: Keep your nails well-hydrated. Eat a well-balanced diet. Visit your dermatologist if you see anything unusual.

Preventive Nail Care Tips

Always take care of your nails to prevent discoloration or damage to them.

Never bite, pick or tear your nails. Always clip hangnails. Wear loose, airy footwear and cut the nails straight across along the top. Keep short nails and don't apply nail polish to prevent brittle nails. Use a skin-softening cream on nails after washing or bathing. Biotin and clear nail polish with protein is good for enhancing the strength of nails.