Observant physicians have long noticed a correlation between nail health and other health issues. Nails can change color, texture or both when affected by a disease. Any such color change to previously healthy fingernails is cause for concern -- such changes can indicate skin cancer. "Warts around the nails have a tendency to develop into squamous cell cancer," said Tamara Lior, M.D., a dermatologist with Cleveland Clinic Florida. "If patients see a dark discoloration involving the cuticle, then we worry about melanoma," the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Nails that are the following colors may indicate illnesses. Contact your physician if any of these symptoms become obvious to you. Green or black may indicate trauma, chronic infection or a reaction to topical preparations. Brown-gray nails may indicate cardiovascular disease, diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency, breast cancer, melanoma, lichen planus or syphilis. Pink or red coloring may be indicative of polycythemia, carbon monoxide poisoning (cherry red) or malnutrition. White nails may be indicating anemia, renal failure, diabetes, chemotherapy or cirrhosis. A blue lunula may indicate diabetes, and red discoloration of the lunula could mean cardiovascular disease or other serious diseases. Again, see your doctor if you notice any of these signs.
Other Conditions Affecting Nail Growth
Other nail conditions that can signal health problems are plentiful if you pay attention. Here are just a few examples.
- Onycholysis. This occurs when fingernails loosen and may separate from the nail bed. It is sometimes associated with injury or infection. The separated nail becomes opaque with a white, yellow or green tinge. Other causes may be a reaction to certain drugs or consumer products, thyroid disease, poor circulation, Raynard’s phenomenon, which affects the blood supply to parts of the body, and psoriasis.
- Weak, brittle or splitting nails. This could be the result of harsh manicures. It also may be indicative of vitamin A deficiency. Vitamin A helps the body process protein, a key ingredient in nails. This condition can mean a vitamin C or biotin, a B vitamin, deficiency, both of which strengthen nails and encourage growth.