Acouple of days ago, I woke up to see videos of people testing their palm oil to find out if it contained red dyes.Then, my mind went back to when we talked about unwholesome practices during food production in 2024.Most of us grew up just hearing about cancer, but now, it is extremely common. The food we eat is undoubtedly a major cause.As individuals, this is the time to love homemade meals. Some of the cooked foods sold around us are not safe.Make sure you buy your foodstuffs from trusted places.Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Then, my mind went back to when we talked about unwholesome practices during food production in 2024.Most of us grew up just hearing about cancer, but now, it is extremely common. The food we eat is undoubtedly a major cause.As individuals, this is the time to love homemade meals. Some of the cooked foods sold around us are not safe.Make sure you buy your foodstuffs from trusted places.Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Most of us grew up just hearing about cancer, but now, it is extremely common. The food we eat is undoubtedly a major cause.As individuals, this is the time to love homemade meals. Some of the cooked foods sold around us are not safe.Make sure you buy your foodstuffs from trusted places.Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. As individuals, this is the time to love homemade meals. Some of the cooked foods sold around us are not safe.Make sure you buy your foodstuffs from trusted places.Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Make sure you buy your foodstuffs from trusted places.Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Cut down on processed foods.Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Let us all go back to subsistence farming. This will allow us to prepare some foodstuffs ourselves.Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Let us appeal to the conscience of people in the food-processing sector who are only concerned about making money.Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Consumers trust you with their lives. Breaking that trust is a moral failure. If you would not feed these foods to your own children, do not feed them to others.The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. The government can also curb the use of harmful substances in food by enforcing strict regulatory frameworks, imposing heavy financial penalties, introducing mandatory transparency laws, and strengthening supply-chain surveillance.Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Our foods are killing us!In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. In the past, I have talked about how the physical signs on our bodies give us clues about what goes on inside. This week, I want us to look into how our fingernails and toenails can give us clues about our health.As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. As small and seemingly insignificant as our nails are, they can indicate health issues, including vitamin deficiencies and chronic conditions.A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. A change in the colour, size, shape or texture of our nails can be an indicator of an underlying systemic disease.Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Usually, an appreciation of these nail signs and an ability to interpret them when found can help guide the diagnosis and management of a general medical patient.Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Here are some things to look for that may be signs of various health issues. These symptoms can show up in both fingernails and toenails:Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Terry’s NailsIn the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. In the condition called Terry’s nails, most of the fingernail looks white, except for a narrow red or pink band at the top.Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Terry’s nails sometimes develop because of ageing. But in other cases, they may be a symptom of a serious medical condition, such as liver problems, congestive heart failure or diabetes.Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Spoon-Shaped Nails or “Koilonychia”Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Spoon nails are soft nails that turn upwards around the edges. This unusual and rare symptom occurs when the edges of the nails curve upwards and inwards, so the nail could almost carry a drop of water!This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. This condition is also called koilonychia.Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Spoon nails are often a symptom of iron-deficiency anaemia. They may also be due to a liver problem called haemochromatosis. They can also be caused by an underactive thyroid or, in rare cases, heart disease.MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. MelanomaMelanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer that usually presents as a dark-coloured, irregular or changing mole somewhere on the body. It may itch or bleed.But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. But sometimes, melanoma can develop under a nail. If you notice a dark or unusual spot forming under a fingernail or toenail, you should see your doctor urgently.Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Beau’s LinesBeau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Beau’s lines are grooves that run across the nails. They can appear when nail growth temporarily stops due to injury or illness.Related NewsEverything you need to know about hiccupsCutting babies’ fingernails with teeth may cause infection – PaediatriciansKogi urges data usage for decision-making in healthcareBeau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Beau’s lines may be caused by:Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Infections.Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Diabetes that is not well controlled.Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Conditions in which narrowed blood vessels lower blood flow to the arms and legs. This is called peripheral artery disease.Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Illnesses that include a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia.Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Not getting enough zinc.Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Some types of medicines, including retinoids and chemotherapy.Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Splinter HaemorrhagesThese are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. These are tiny bleeds that look like brown lines or splinters under the nail. If the finger has been injured recently, that is the most likely cause.But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. But in some cases, splinter haemorrhages are caused by conditions such as bacterial endocarditis, a serious bacterial infection of the heart valves, or vasculitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels that can happen in a number of inflammatory conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. If you notice splinter haemorrhages, it’s important to speak to a doctor as soon as possible to get tested for underlying conditions.ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. ClubbingIn clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. In clubbing of the fingers or toes, there may be widening and increased curvature of the nails, a more pronounced angle between the finger and the nail, a boggy feeling if the nails are pressed, and a bulging appearance to the fingertips.Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Nail clubbing may be caused by low oxygen in the blood, lung disease, heart problems, liver cirrhosis and gastrointestinal problems.It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. It can develop over weeks or years, depending on the underlying cause. As many of the potential causes can be very serious, it is a symptom that should be assessed promptly by a doctor.Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Pitting of the NailsPsoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes a scaly pink rash on the body and scalp. But sometimes, it can also cause “pitting”, which is tiny pits or hollows in the nails.Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Pitting of the nails may also happen in psoriatic arthritis, as well as other autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.Nail SeparationIn a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. In a condition called onycholysis, the fingernails come loose and can separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes cloudy with a white, yellow or green tint.Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Sometimes, detached nails are due to an injury or an infection. In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a medicine or a consumer product, such as nail hardeners or adhesives.Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, can also lead to nail separation.Black or Brown Streaks or Spots (Melanonychia)Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Bleeding under the nails, known as splinter haemorrhage, can occur due to psoriasis, lichen planus, endocarditis, vasculitis or lupus.Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Black or brown streaks or spots can also be caused by melanoma, a type of skin cancer, or bruising from tight shoes or an injury.Bluish NailsBluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Bluish nails indicate that the body may not be receiving enough oxygen, which may point to a heart or lung problem.“For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. “For the general population, nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion,” explains a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, Dr Sara Norris.She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. She added that “brittle, weak and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease.”“Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. “Your nail health is a very good reflection of your overall health. Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems,” says a dermatologist, Christine Poblete-Lopez, MD.A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. A study titled Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases by Archana Singal et al. concludes that nail findings may not only be a window to a plethora of possible systemic associations, but also a window of opportunity, as a profound knowledge of these associations may be useful in a complete and targeted work-up of the patient and may help pre-empt the diagnosis of a more sinister systemic disease.Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Changes in the colour, shape and texture of your fingernails and toenails can reveal important clues about your overall health and underlying medical conditions.Keep an eye on them. Keep an eye on them.