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Mayo Clinic Minute: Fingernails are clues to your health
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Take a peek at your fingernails. Do they have ridges or chips, or are they discolored? Dr. Rachel Miest, a Mayo Clinic dermatologist, says the condition of your fingernails may be clues to your overall health.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg (1:00) is in the downloads at the end of the post. Please ‘Courtesy: Mayo Clinic News Network.’ Read the script.
Many people develop lines or ridges from the cuticle to the tip. Dr. Miest says that the ridges are actually completely fine and just a part of normal aging. But there are other nail changes you should not ignore that may indicate liver or problems, nutritional deficiencies and other issues.
Here are six examples:
- Pitting
This could be a sign of psoriasis. - Clubbing
Clubbing happens when your oxygen is low and could be a sign of lung issues. - Spooning
It can happen if you have iron-deficient anemia or liver disease. - "A Beau’s line"
It’s a horizontal line that indicates a previous injury or infection. - Nail separation
This may happen as a result of injury, infection or a medication. - Yellowing of the nails
This may be the result of chronic bronchitis.
"The fingernails are absolutely a wonderful reflection of a person’s overall health," says Dr. Miest.
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