Nail- Can they indicate your health

Clubbing can be described as a condition in which the fingertips have become enlarged, and the nails are curving downwards. It is a prominent sign of low oxygen supply in the blood and could be a sign of lung infections as well. It is also a telltale symptom of diseases affecting the liver and kidney and inflammatory bowel disease. Consult with a doctor if you notice unexplained clubbing to check if you have any underlying health problems.

If you are suffering from scarlet fever or pneumonia or scarlet fever, then your nails would show horizontal ridges to manifest the trauma of the serious illness. This typically occurs in many nails at a time where the body is communicating that it needs to participate in the healing process rather than producing nails. Horizontal ridges in the nails could also be a sign of zinc deficiency, and you should eat foods rich in zinc to get rid of the condition. Having a balanced diet for every meal can help keep illness at bay.

If you have ice-pick depressions in the nails, it is a sign that you are developing psoriasis. It is also associated with connective tissue problems including alopecia areata which leads to hair loss and Reiter?s syndrome. You should consult with a physician if you are recently noticing these issues in order to manage psoriasis.

If your nail becomes like a spoon and soft such that it can be scooped out, it could be a sign of lack of iron in the body. The depression is normally large enough for holding a drop of liquid in the nails. It could also be a sign of a liver disease called hemochromatosis where the human body absorbs high amounts of iron from the foods consumed. It could be a sign of heart disease as well as hypothyroidism. Consult with a doctor to find out the reason behind the spoon-like scoops in the nails.