A healthcare professional may associate this sign with other symptoms.
Fingernails and toenails are made of keratin, a very strong fibrous protein. Their function is to protect the ends of our fingers and toes and to help with their motor skills. The appearance of the nails is an important indicator of a person’s state of health, but we do not always pay attention to it, or not enough. Naturally, the nails are pinkish in color, translucent and without stains. Healthy nails should be “smooth” and have a “uniform color” explains Dr Amir Khan, doctor at the NHS (public health system in the United Kingdom) in a video posted on his account Instagram. Conversely, the specialist warns that there are signs of poor health and even diseases that can be visible on the nails.
In his video, the doctor – with almost 400,000 subscribers – indicates for example that nails that have become very thick and curved can be a sign of an inflammatory disease such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or liver disease. Nails dug, like a “spoon” as Dr. Khan illustrates, can be a sign of iron anemia, lupus, or thyroid dysfunction. The latter disorder is also associated with nail separation, also called “onycholysis”. Peeling nails can also indicate a fungal infection or psoriasis.
More seriously, Dr Khan teaches us in his video that an overlooked symptom on the nails can be a sign of “cancer, fluid in the lungs, bronchitis or rheumatoid arthritis”. This symptom is called “yellow nail syndrome” : “It occurs when the nails turn yellow, become thicker and no longer grow as quickly as before”, explains the doctor. Yellow nail syndrome remains rare and is different from the yellowing of one or two nails that we can see in smokers (because of nicotine) or the yellowing of all the nails following the application of varnish. .
A change in the appearance of one or more nails alone is not enough to diagnose a disease but can help the healthcare professional make a diagnosis by associating it with other symptoms. It is therefore important to pay attention to changes in the color or appearance of the nails and to speak to the doctor during the consultation. Finally, some nail changes are nothing to worry about. An impact can, for example, cause the appearance of a hematoma on the nail and aging can lead to the formation of slight vertical streaks on the nails.