Nail problems aren’t usually caused by anything serious, but it’s important to know when to seek advice
Ever wondered what your fingernails say about your health? From what healthy nails should look like, to changes to your nails that you might want to get checked out and tips for maintaining healthy nails, we cover the nail need-to-knows for you.
Nails & health: understanding the basics
So, how do your nails reflect your overall health? The important thing to know is that nail problems aren’t usually caused by anything serious.
Most nail problems are caused by:
- Injuries or biting your nails
- Staining your nails – by smoking or applying a lot of nail varnish, for example
- Not regularly trimming your nails or cutting them at an angle
- Your hands often being in water or cleaning products
- A fungal nail infection
Healthy nails should:
- Have a soft, pale pink nail bed colour – this reflects the health of the nail bed underneath the nail
- Have no ridges, especially horizontal ridges
- Be smooth – with no pits or grooves
- Not break too easily
- Have healthy cuticles and skin around the nails
- Not have dark lines
Your nails may be affected by:
- Age – becoming thicker or breaking more easily (brittle) as you get older
- Pregnancy – becoming harder, softer or more brittle during pregnancy (they should return to normal within six months of having a baby)
- Injuries to the nail – changing colour, becoming looser or even falling off
- Some conditions –which we’ll detail later
Common nail colour changes & what they mean
One of the things to look out for when thinking about your nail health is changes to the colour of your nails.
White nails: also known as leukonychia, means nails that are either partly or completely white. This can be congenital (which means you were born with it), due to a minor injury to the nail (which often looks like white marks on the nail), the result of a fungal nail infection or more rarely, linked to chronic liver or kidney disease, or lymphoma.
Yellow nails: can be caused by nicotine staining from smoking, trauma to the nail, fungal infections, psoriasis and medications including some types of antibiotics.
If yellowing of the nail is also accompanied by slow growing, curved and thickened nails it could also be a sign of yellow nail syndrome – if you think you might have yellow nail syndrome, speak to your GP as it can be a sign of a build-up of fluid elsewhere in the body.
Blue nails: can occur as a side-effect of some medications. If you’re taking medication, and are unsure if this is a side effect, speak to your GP.
Dark or black nails: can be caused by vitamin B12 deficiency (or nails may sometimes have a blueish tinge with this deficiency),a bruise to the nail (usually caused by an injury) which should grow out or noncancerous moles under the nails. In more rare cases, black streaks can occur which could be a sign of a malignant melanoma – which is a form of cancer.
If you’ve noticed any changes to the colour of your nails and are concerned, speak to your GP.
Changes in nail texture & what they mean
As well as changes to nail colour, changes to nail texture are something to keep an eye on. We’ll talk you through some of the common types of changes below.
Vertical ridges & lines: which run up and down the nail, can be due to ageing, dry skin conditions like eczema, or in some cases hypothyroidism, if the nails are also brittle. If you have hypothyroidism, you might also find your nails may crumble or break easily, be more rounded and that your fingertips are puffy.
Horizontal ridges & lines: that run across your nails are often known as Beau’s lines – which happens when illness, injury or a skin condition interrupts your nail growth.
Possible causes of Beau’s lines include:
- Illnesses with a high fever, like COVID-19 or pneumonia
- Peripheral vascular disease – an accumulation of plaque (fats and cholesterol) in the arteries in your legs or arms. This buildup narrows the blood vessels, making it harder for your blood to carry oxygen and nutrients to those areas
- Diabetes that is not well controlled
- Hypothyroidism
- Psoriasis
- Eczema
Brittle nails: means nails that break more easily, which can also lead to cracks in nails. This can happen due to too much or too little moisture in the nail, ageing, thyroid issues or anaemia.
Soft or thin nails: which break easily, or bend before they snap, can be caused by too much moisturiser or chemicals (like detergents or nail polish remover).
If you’ve noticed any changes to the colour or texture of your nails and are concerned, speak to your GP.
Other nail issues
Losing a nail: this is usually due to an injury. Fingernails should grow back within six months, whereas toenails can take up to 18 months.
Changes to nail shape including:
- Spoon-shaped nails that curve inwards (koilonychia) which can be a sign of iron-deficiency anaemia
- Small dents or pits in your nails which can be a sign of nail psoriasis, eczema or alopecia
- Fingernails curving over rounded fingertips (clubbing) which can be a sign of many serious, long-term conditions – if you’re experiencing this symptom, speak to your GP
Nail health issues: when to see a doctor
When should I see a GP?
If you don’t know why a nail has changed shape, colour or fallen off and you're worried.
You should also speak to a GP if the skin around your nails has become sore, red, swollen and warm (paronychia), as it could be a sign of an infection or ingrown nail.
If necessary, they may refer you to a footcare specialist (podiatrist). You can also pay to see a podiatrist privately if your nails are too tough to cut or you can’t reach them.
Talk to a GP if a fungal nail infection is severe and treatment hasn’t worked, or it’s spread to other nails.
Tips for maintaining healthy nails
1. Follow a proper nail care routine
To help maintain healthy nails, make sure you trim them regularly – this can be easier after a shower or a bath. Don't cut your nails or toenails down the edges. You should make sure to only trim straight across the top to help avoid ingrown nails.
Keep your nails clean with a soft nail brush, followed by a hand cream applied to your nails and fingertips. Never try to clean under your nails with any sharp objects.
Cut any injured, loose nails back to where they are still attached, as this helps them to grow back normally. Avoid biting or picking your nails, or the skin around them.
If your hands are often in water or you regularly use cleaning products, you should wear rubber gloves.
When exercising, avoid wearing shoes that pinch your toes and don’t ignore any fungal infections on your skin, such as athlete’s foot.
2. Diet & nutrition for healthy nails
Following a healthy, balanced diet helps to support overall health as well as nail health. It can help to:
- Include healthy protein sources in your diet – like eggs, beans or chicken
- Including iron-rich foods in your diet from things like green leafy vegetables or meat, alongside sources of vitamin C (from things like citrus fruits or peppers) to help with absorption
- Drinking plenty of water – it’s recommended to drink between six and eight glasses per day
- Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables – try to get your five-a-day and fill your plate with as much colour as possible to ensure you’re getting enough nutrients
3. Give nails a helping hand
If you’re looking to take extra special care of your nail health, there are some things that can help. At Boots, we’ve got a range of nail products, from strengthening polishes to cuticle oils.
And, whilst you should be able to get all the nutrients you need for your nails from a healthy, balanced diet, you could also try a supplement for some extra support.
FAQs
1. Which illnesses can be indicated by your nails?
Nail problems are not usually caused by anything serious but changes to your nails can be a sign of illnesses like nail psoriasis, iron-deficiency anaemia, an underactive or overactive thyroid, diabetes, heart, lung or liver disease. If you're experiencing any changes to your nails, you aren't sure of the cause of the changes or you're worried about your nails, make sure to speak to your GP.
2. What do fingernails look like if you’re experiencing heart failure?
Many people who are experiencing heart failure (where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively around the body) don’t have any nail symptoms.
However, sometimes people with heart failure may also have Terry’s nails, which can lead to fingernails looking white with a narrow red or pink band at the top.
Cardiovascular issues (conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels) can also sometimes lead to nail clubbing, but it’s important to remember that this can also be a sign of other conditions . If you’re experiencing nail clubbing, or any other nail symptoms you’re concerned about, make an appointment to speak to your GP.
3. How do unhealthy nails look?
Whilst there’s not one definition of what ‘unhealthy nails’ look like, changes to the colour, shape or texture of nails, especially if you don’t know why the changes have occurred, are signs worth checking with a healthcare professional. See the ‘Understanding the basics’ section at the start of this article to understand what healthy nails look like.
4. What are the signs of B12 deficiency in fingernails?
If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, you might experience changes to the colour of your nails. This can be a bluish discolouration of the nails or blue-black discolouration with dark vertical streaks. If you think you have a vitamin B12 deficiency or a change in your nails, speak to your GP.
