These nail symptoms can indicate 8 serious diseases
What signs on the nails indicate serious illness (photo: Freepik)
It is necessary to monitor any unusual changes in the nails that may signal potentially dangerous diseases. If the nails change color, it may indicate a number of serious diseases, reports The Mirror.
Alarming symptoms on the nails
Changes in color or shape can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of disease. If you notice any of the following changes in your fingernails or toenails, you should see your doctor.
In general, nails can be of the following colors:
- white
- half pink and white
- yellow
- dark red "crescents"
White nails can signal liver disease or diabetes. With liver disease, this is more likely if you have cirrhosis - the most severe stage of the disease.
However, white nails can also occur naturally as we age, but it's still best to get it checked.
Half-pink and half-white nails are one of the signs of kidney disease. In the case of yellow nails, it may be caused by lung disease. It is believed that the discoloration is related to the circulatory or lymphatic system.
When these systems do not work properly, fluid can accumulate in the soft tissues under the skin. This can turn the nails yellow. However, yellow nails can also be caused by a nail infection or cigarette smoking.
Dark red "crescents" on the nails can signal a number of conditions, including lupus, heart disease, alopecia areata, arthritis, and dermatomyositis.
So if you notice any of these colors on your nails, you should see a doctor.
Other colors on your nails indicate a problem:
- blue nails - not enough oxygen in the blood
- pale nails - anemia
- blue "crescents" can be a sign of poisoning
How to take care of your nails
Some tips to help keep your nails healthy and beautiful:
- Keep your fingernails and toenails clean and dry
- Avoid injury to your nails
- Cut your nails straight and not too short, preferably after a shower when the nail plate is softened
- Apply moisturizers to your nails daily
- Regularly remove dirt under the nails
- Avoid treating your nails with products containing toxic substances (acetone or formaldehyde)
- Avoid bacterial infections under false nails (check regularly for green color)
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
