Fingernails are often overlooked, but health experts recommend watching out for some important warning signs on your fingers that could indicate something is wrong with your health.
When was the last time you got your nails properly groomed?
You might be surprised to know that your nails may be a window into serious diseases. health Skin problems are legion, according to some medical experts, including Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr. Daniel Sugai, who recently shared a startling experience he had with a patient.
“Let’s talk about how your nails reflect your inner health,” he posted on TikTok.Follow). “So, I was doing a skin exam on a patient today, and I was looking at the nails, and when I looked really closely, I saw that there was indeed no half moon on the nail.”
The often ignored crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail is mostly white in color and takes up only a small portion of the nail.
Dr. Sugai continued: ” [total] Her nail plate is pale and white and she has no half moons. I asked her, “Are you anemic?” and she said, “Well, how do you know? I’m really suffering from anemia.”…The absence of half moons really indicates anemia.
While this gem of information left Dr. Sugai’s audience quite perplexed, when it comes to nails, the presence or absence of a crescent shape is not the only indicator of a health concern. Dr. Bhavini Shah At LloydsPharmacy, we’ve uncovered 4 other warning signs you should be aware of. Heart disease For iron deficiency.
She said: “Common and serious illnesses can manifest themselves in the appearance of your nails, so if you notice any changes to your nails that can’t be explained by injury you should see your GP.”
“If the skin around your nail becomes sore, red, swollen or painful, see a medical professional as this could be a sign of infection.”
1. Spoon-shaped nails
In addition to meniscus deficiency, spoon-shaped nails are another symptom of anemia due to iron deficiency. This can be accompanied by fatigue, shortness of breath, headacheIt may be time to see a doctor.
Dr Shah explained: “Inward-curving, spoon-shaped nails can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. This condition is characterized by: pregnancy The iron level in the blood is too low.
“It’s important to identify the cause of iron deficiency anaemia so if you’re concerned make an appointment with your GP who will: Blood test Check the red blood cell count.
“The symptoms can usually be resolved fairly easily by taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, legumes such as beans and chickpeas, and dried fruits such as apricots.”
2. Loose nails
Loose nails can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism. This little-known condition occurs when four glands in your neck (each about the size of a grain of rice) produce too much parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Over time, this can lead to a range of symptoms with unclear causes, including an increased risk of fractures, kidney stones and excessive urination. Dr Gareth Nye, senior lecturer at Chester Medical School, said: He previously told the Mirror“Reportable symptoms are vague and often associated with other illnesses.”
“For women with this condition, [linked to] Our understanding of the actual number of women affected by this disease during menopause is probably far off. [common]…There is insufficient awareness among the general public and medical professionals.
“Current statistics suggest that there are between 1 and 4 cases per 1,000 people, but this figure is likely an underestimate.”
Meanwhile, Dr Shah added, “Other common symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism include anxiety, sleep disorders, weight loss and fatigue.”
3. Red and Purple Lines and Clubbing
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in humanity. worldAccording to the British Heart Foundation, a staggering 56,000 lives are lost every day.BHF). Recent Numbers The report also found that premature deaths in the UK have risen alarmingly over the past 14 years, with an increasing number of deaths among people under 75.
That’s why it’s so important to recognize the early symptoms of heart disease, including “clubbing,” which causes the tips of the fingers, and sometimes the toes, to become swollen and rounded in appearance.
Dr Shah added: “Typically, red or purple lines under the nail are caused by an injury, but if you notice this and don’t remember injuring your nail, it’s best to see a doctor as it could be a symptom of heart disease. [too].
“Other symptoms that may suggest heart disease include extreme fatigue, swelling in the ankles, and pain in the chest, abdomen, legs, arms, jaw or back.”
Four. Horizontal Ridge
Finally, Dr. Shah warns that deep “Beau’s lines” could also be a sign that something is wrong with your health: These bumps often occur when an infection or injury stunts nail growth.
This could include measles, mumps, fever and even COVID-19. Cleveland ClinicDr Shah added: “If you’ve noticed Beau’s wrinkles and are concerned, we would encourage you to visit your GP for an appointment to discuss your overall health.”
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