5 signs of healthy nails

• The nail’s surface is even and free of indentations, bumps, and ridges
• The nail plate is translucent with a matte shine
• The nail’s free edge is white and the onychodermal band, or the “smile line”, is clearly defined
• The nail’s ends are fairly hard and do not break, bend, or peel under slight pressure
• The nail’s lunula, the crescent-shaped area at the base, accounts for one-third of the nail

What the state of one’s nail plate can tell us

The nail plate, just like the hair shaft, is not composed of living cells. There are no nerve endings or blood vessels in the nail. Changes in one’s body do not have any effect on an already grown and fully-formed nail but they do affect growing nails.

Vertical ridges: These ridges are common in elderly people, as well as in individuals suffering from osteochondrosis and rheumatic disorders. They can also appear due to zinc, iron, magnesium, and Vitamin B deficiencies.

Horizontal ridges: Horizontal ridges are also referred to as Beau's lines, the name was given to them by a French physician. These ridges can appear in individuals suffering from gastrointestinal and heart diseases, metabolic disorders caused by crash diets, and fungal and other infections. The ridges could also be the result of a bad manicure that leads to the damaging of the nail plate.

Nail pitting: Nails appear normal but, upon a closer inspection, the nail plate has small depressions on its surface, as if damaged by a needle. Nail pitting is common in individuals with psoriasis but people with eczema or arthritis may also suffer from it.

Small or large lunulae: Large lunulae are not uncommon in athletes and people who do heavy manual labor. At times, they may be associated with heart or blood vessel problems. Lunulae that are barely visible may be a sign of Vitamin B12, iron, and iodine deficiency.

Thick nails: This is also referred to as clubbing, watch glass nails, or Hippocratic fingers/toes. Clubbing is associated with lung and heart diseases, cancer, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Spoon nails: Spoon's nails have a depression in the middle that makes the shape resemble a spoon. They are associated with iron deficiency. Sudden temperature changes and exposure to certain chemicals may also cause spoon nails.

Nail detachment: Onycholysis is a medical condition characterized by the detachment of the nail from the nail bed. This causes a gap to form, and the nail may change in color.

Detachment can be the result of trauma or an impaired supply of nutrients to the nail. Onycholysis is also associated with fungal diseases, allergies, and somatic symptom disorders.

Change in nail color: The discoloration or paleness of fingernails may be a sign of fungal infection or nail apparatus melanoma in its initial stages. A yellowish-colored fingernail is associated with psoriasis,liver disorders, and fungal infections. Nails that are bluish in color may be caused by a lack of oxygen in the body. Hemoglobin levels in the blood should be measured quickly to test this.

Brittle, peeling nails: Breaking or splitting fingernails may be caused by too many semi-permanent manicures with gel-based polishes. It can also be a sign of iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin C deficiency. Occasionally, brittle nails are associated with thyroid diseases and are possibly a precursor of diabetes.

White lines and/or dots: Leukonychia is a medical condition that can be caused by tiny air bubbles trapped between nail tissue. This gives nails a striped or spotted appearance. It is associated with an unbalanced diet and a calcium and zinc deficiency. Nervous breakdowns or heart failure are also associated with its development.

Fungal nail infection: A fungal nail infection is not uncommon in people who frequent gyms, saunas, and swimming pools with shared showers and changing areas. Fungi typically thrive in these environments. If nails and the skin around them become infected, the nail plate can turn yellow, white, or brown in color and become rough and peel.

If you notice one or more of the aforementioned issues with your nails, visit a dermatologist, a mycologist, or a chiropodist. The doctor will examine you and choose an appropriate treatment or refer you to another specialist. Do not cover the nail or area with bright nail polish — it may reduce the chances of resolving the infection healthily.

15 September 2021