Health Matters: What Your Nails Say About Your Health

Contributed by: carlonseider

Unless you have regular manicures or are a serial nail-biter, chances are you don't pay a great deal of attention to your fingernails. They're great for scratching an itch, getting things open and being painted but aside from that, they're pretty unassuming. However, you can tell a lot about your health from the state of your nails.

What to Look For

Dr. Guo Chunying, dermatologist at Shanghai United Family Hospital, says that a healthy nail should have five main elements. "Nails that are in good condition should be pinkish in color, with a smooth texture. The nail should be attached to the finger all along its length up to the tip, and not be dry and flaky." As for what constitutes poor nail health, there are several major problems to look out for. Nail health relies on a balance of calcium and silica, which helps the body to absorb and metabolize vitamins and minerals. A lot of nail problems are caused by an imbalance of the two vital elements. People who follow a diet rich in calcium risk tipping the scales and disturbing the balance.

Common Problems

One of the most common problems people see with their fingernails involves white specks that grow up the nail. Many people believe that this is caused by a vitamin deficiency, but it's actually a condition called leukonychia. It's far less scary than it sounds: it simply means a whitening of the nail due to mild wear and tear in the course of daily life. If the white moon-shaped part of your nail changes in tone or shape, this suggests either an over- or under-active thyroid and should definitely be checked out by a doctor. Thyroid problems can lead to brittle nails too.