Cart

Your cart is empty

Continue shopping now

What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Sporty & Rich Wellness - What Your Nails Say About Your Health

 

By: @drmelissaco_

 

Our physical appearance can serve as a window into our internal health, and one’s nails are no exception. 

 

Nail health can be an indicator of health overall. Here are a few common symptoms and what they may mean. 

 

Weak, brittle or peeling nails: there can be numerous causes to this problem. Sometimes it is as simple as dryness or moisture loss because of over-washing or chronically damp, wet nails. In other cases, hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) nutrient deficiency may be the culprit behind weak nails. Nutrients involved may be minerals like calcium or iron, fatty acids, or B vitamins. Blood work can be done to differentiate the causes. I notice in my clinical practice, not eating enough protein may also impact nail strength. 

 

Blue nails: this can indicate there is not enough oxygen in the bloodstream or that there are issues with circulation. Blue hued nails may also indicate a sluggish thyroid, especially if the hands are chronically cold. 

 

Black spots or streaks: a dark red or black spot may be a sign of bruising underneath the nail bed (likely from trauma to the nail), while a black streak may be a sign of melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Not every dark line is melanoma, but always see a medical doctor as soon as possible to differentiate causes and be treated accordingly. Early detection is key in cancer treatment and outcomes.  

 

Clubbed nails: this occurs when, over time, the fingertips become enlarged for various reasons causing the nails to curve around the fingertip — giving a clubbed appearance. This can be due to low blood oxygen levels and can be related to lung disease, or other issues like cardiovascular or inflammatory bowel disease. 

 

Dark colouration: a green or black colour to the nail may indicate a bacterial infection. 

 

Lifting or nail separation:  if the nail bed appears to be lifting at the corners, it can be a sign of fungal infection, thyroid disease or psoriasis, especially when accompanied by white discolouration. 

 

Pale nails: pale nails may indicate anaemia which can be confirmed through blood work. 

 

Pitted nails: small dents or pits in the nails could be a sign of more systemic illness like psoriasis or alopecia. 

 

Horizontal ridges: also known as Beau’s lines, these may indicate a moment of stress to the nail itself or body overall that have caused the nail to stop or slow growth in that moment. For example, if you have had trauma to the nail, fever, or have undergone an intensive medical treatment like chemotherapy, these lines will be created and will mark that moment in time. These lines will grow out slowly. These may also represent other underlying causes. 

 

Vertical ridges: these can occur with age and may not be a sign of an underlying health condition, especially if they do not present with other nail symptoms, like changes to colour. 

 

Spoon-shaped nails: nails that are thin and dip in the centre angling upward on the sides could indicate iron deficiency. Iron deficiency can be caused by lack of consumption of foods rich in iron (like red meat), or digestive issues that do not allow for enough iron absorption (like celiac disease). 

 

White spots: if they are small and underneath the nail bed (also referred to as leukonychia), they may indicate trauma to the nail or iron deficiency anaemia. If the white spots are larger and cause the nail to have a thicker appearance and are causing the nail to lift, this is likely a fungal infection.

 

Yellow nails: smoking or wearing polish (particularly red in colour) long-term can turn the nail yellow. If the nails are also slow to grow or have stopped growing and are beginning to thicken, this could indicate a deeper issue like infection, lung disease or rheumatoid arthritis. 

 

Not all physical symptoms have an underlying meaning however, if you are experiencing a new or worsening nail symptom or are concerned, always seek the advice of your medical doctor or dermatologist. As with any physical symptom, it is important to rule out any underlying causes and treat accordingly. 

 

References:

https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/nail-care-secrets/basics/nail-changes-dermatologist-should-examine

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/multimedia/nails/sls-20076131 



Previous
Next

The Wellness Club

Sporty & Rich Wellness - Why Cold Water and Smoothies are Making you Bloated

Why Cold Water and Smoothies are Making you Bloated

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

    By Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg, L.Ac, DACM In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the stomach is seen as a pot, with the fire under it being our metabolism. This digestive fire is crucial for the efficient breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients and smooth flow of Qi...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - 10 Ways To Calm Anxiety

10 Ways To Calm Anxiety

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @curanaturopathy Anxiety is a complex and multifaceted emotional and physiological response to perceived or anticipated threats, which we commonly refer to as stressors. This response is characterized by various cognitive, emotional, behavioural, and physical symptoms.  It’s no doubt that anxiety serves a true purpose as a natural and adaptive reaction to prepare us to deal with challenges...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - What’s Causing My Skin to Breakout?

What’s Causing My Skin To Breakout?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @curanaturopathy Your skin health is a reflection of your internal health. If there's any signs of imbalance in the form of active breakouts, pimples, blemishes, so on, this can give us an indication that there's an imbalance internally and most often it's related to our gut health. Factors such as nutrition, hormones, stress, lifestyle choices can also influence your skin....

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Are Electrolytes Healthy For You?

Are Electrolytes Healthy For You?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @gooodmoodfoood I am sure you have seen a lot of information on social media and the internet lately about drinking electrolytes. This may be slightly confusing because we have been told for years that sodium is bad for us and is making us dehydrated! In reality, ultra-processed foods high in processed sodium leave us feeling dehydrated and lethargic. When an individual...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - The Importance of Non-Toxic Skincare: Health Risks of Popular Ingredients in Conventional Products

The Importance of Non-Toxic Skincare: Health Risks of Popular Ingredients in Conventional Products

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @inceipek1 In recent years, there has been a growing concern among consumers about the potential health risks associated with the use of conventional skincare products. Many popular ingredients found in these products, such as emulsifiers, parabens, and others, have come under scrutiny for their potential toxicity. Emulsifiers: Emulsifiers are commonly used in skincare...

Read more
SIBO: The Most Commonly Missed Cause of IBS

SIBO: The Most Commonly Missed Cause of IBS

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co Bloating, abdominal discomfort, unusual gas, constipation and/or diarrhoea are all symptoms that western medicine commonly chalks up to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). But IBS is essentially a blanket diagnosis for a group of symptoms, without providing any insight into the cause of the symptoms or curative treatments. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) is a condition of the small intestine. The...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness

Where to Start When Healing Acne

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @drmelissa.co Acne is one of the most complex skin concerns to treat. Treatment often involves a lot of trial and error and each case requires an individualized approach to achieve the best result. Patients may opt to treat the skin with pharmaceuticals (oral or topical), conventional skincare products, or with more natural options including supplements, gentle topicals, herbs, acupuncture, light therapy, etc. Regardless...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Your Comprehensive Guide to SPF

Your Comprehensive Guide to SPF

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition  Relaxing in the warmth of the sun is undoubtedly enjoyable, but are you aware of the potential risks? Protecting your skin from harmful rays is essential to prevent sunburn, reduce the risk of skin cancer and premature ageing. Here's what you need to know:...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - The Importance of the Skin Barrier

The Importance of the Skin Barrier

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @curanaturopathy Our skin barrier plays a crucial role in a healthy glowing complexion, but unfortunately there are many internal and external factors that influence the functionality of our skin barrier.  The skin barrier is the outermost layer of your skin, referred to as the epidermis or status corneum - this layer of tissue is...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Skin Health

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Skin Health

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By: @dermahealthnutrition  Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to our health and, according to recent research, may also have a positive effect on skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and wound healing. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat and are called "omega-3" because the first double bond in their chemical structure is at the third...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness

The Connection Between Exercise and Skin Health

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

By @coreflexpilates founder @chrisbardawil Exercise keeps our skin clear and firm, boosts its blood flow, removes toxins, and lowers cortisol levels. All of these factors are beneficial for the skin, but there are some things to be aware of when it comes to exercise and skin health, these are mainly; redness, bacteria, and drying out of the skin.When first looking up this...

Read more
Sporty & Rich Wellness - What is Microcurrent and Does it Work?

What is Microcurrent and Does it Work?

Translation missing: en.blogs.article.by Taylor Davis

@drmelissa.co Microcurrent devices have become a staple in the routines of many skincare professionals and aficionados. These at-home and in-office devices claim to tighten and lift the face while softening fine lines and wrinkles...but do they work?  Microcurrent devices provide treatments that are non-invasive and gentle. They deliver low level electrical currents...

Read more