Your toenails tell a lot about your overall health. A fungal infection often causes thickened yellow toenails. Thick, yellow nails also can be a sign of an underlying disease, including lymphedema (swelling related to the lymphatic system), lung problems, psoriasis, or rheumatoid arthritis.
What nail problems can indicate health problems?
| Issue Common cause | Brittle nails Frequent wetting and drying | Soft or weak nails Overexposure to moisture or chemicals | Peeling Injury or iron deficiency | Ridges Aging (vertical) or underlying condition (vertical) |
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Can your toe nails show signs of cancer?
Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail. A person may mistake it for a bruise. The main symptoms of subungual melanoma include: brown or black streaks in the nail without any known injury .
What does an unhealthy toenail look like?
You may first notice a white or yellow spot under the tip of a toenail. As the fungal infection makes its way deeper into the nail, your nail will become discolored and thicken. Your nail may also crumble and become jagged at the edge, and spread to other toenails.
Can toe nails show heart problems?
However, check, if you have not hurt yourself lately, such splinter-like lines could indicate bacterial endocarditis , an infection of the valves and inner lining of the heart. Circulatory problems linked with heart disease or linked to uncontrolled diabetes can cause ridges, grooves or pitted patterns across toenails.
What do your nails look like if you have cancer?
Melanoma can appear as a dark streak under your nail , distorting its color. Sometimes it will darken the cuticle surrounding your nail, too, which can be a sign of aggressive melanoma. Melanoma is life-threatening, so it’s important to get any dark lines under your nails checked immediately.
What do your toenails look like when you have cancer?
Dark areas near the cuticle of the nail (subungual lesions): These look like bruises under the nails , and are usually along the bottom edge of the nail, near the cuticle. These kinds of color changes can be seen in nail cancer (called melanoma) and can also be a side effect of some types of drugs used to treat cancer.
What do nails look like with liver disease?
This condition, known as Terry’s nails , is especially common in people with severe liver disease. Additionally, nails that are half white and half reddish brown are called Lindsay’s nails, which is a condition that’s often associated with kidney disease.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause nails?
Most vitamin deficiencies are due to either inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption. Vitamin D, which can be obtained through sun exposure, is one of the few exceptions. Lack of these nutrients may affect the nail , the nail bed, or both and may present on physical exam or with biopsy.
What are the 5 common nail problems?
Tips to treat the 5 most common nail disorders: brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, onychomycosis . Dermatol Clin .
How can I make my toenails healthy again?
- Daily Cleansing. ...
- Moisturize. ...
- Frequent Trimming. ...
- Filing. ...
- Toenail Friendly Diet. ...
- Wearing Proper Shoes and Socks. ...
- Occasional Massage. ...
- Treat Yourself To Foot Soaks.
What is the white stuff under my toenails?
Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis . People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
What is the most common nail disorder?
Onychomycosis (tinea unguium and Candida onychia)
Background: Onychomycosis is the most common nail disorder, affecting 2%-13% of Americans.
Can your fingernails show signs of illness?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here , a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
Can your feet tell your health?
Your feet can tell you a lot about your general health condition or warn you of underlying health conditions. From pesky foot pain to more serious symptoms, such as numbness, your feet often show symptoms of disease before any other part of your body.
What do renal failure nails look like?
Kidney disease
Ridged nails: Also called koilonychia, rough nails with ridges can exist in the presence of kidney disease. These nails are also frequently spoon-shaped and concave , and they can point to iron-deficiency anemia.
