Nails that are thin or break easily can indicate a shortage of protein in your diet. If your fingernails are looking pale and white, it is a sign that you may have anemia, or low red blood cell count. Pale nails can also indicate more serious conditions, serving as an early symptom of diabetes or liver disease.
Similarly, fragile nails can also indicate more serious conditions, like hypothyroidism, a condition where the butterfly-shaped endocrine gland at the base of our necks produces too little of the thyroid hormone that helps our body regular a number of functions, including body heat and/or metabolism.
Sometimes, the state of our nails can indicate the presence of an infection that has moved into the body, either directly into the nail bed, or into our bodies. Consider it one of the earliest symptoms of the onset of a chronic or serious disease.
Take a look at some of these weird nail diseases and disorders, and what they might mean:
Mees’ Lines
Visibly thick white lines running across the entire width of the nail are classified as Mees’ lines or Mees lines. One of the most common causes of Mees’ lines is chemotherapy treatments; however, there are several other less common causes that should definitely raise some concerns and prompt one to seek medical attention.
For example, Mees’ lines on one or more of your fingernails is a telltale sign of arsenic poisoning. Carbon monoxide poisoning, congestive heart failure, renal failure, malaria and Hodgkin’s disease are also all possible causes of Mees’ lines. Equally as frightening, Mees’ lines may also be an indicator of leprosy.
Onycholysis
Onycholysis, or detached nails, is a condition where the fingernail quite literally lifts away and becomes largely detached from the nail bed and surrounding skin. It looks as painful as it sounds and besides the obvious detachment, is generally characterized by the affected nail or nails becoming opaque and taking on a white or hello-green hue.
According to an article by WebMD, detached nails are usually caused by some type of trauma or injury to the nail. However, some prescription drugs can be behind onycholysis. Your doctor or pharmacist should be able to review these potential side effects with you.
Psoriasis, a condition where patches of skin become dry and scaly, can cause nail detachment. Certain over-the-counter products, such as nail hardeners and adhesives, can have the same result as well. If you experience onycholysis and do not believe any of the previously mentioned causes fit the bill, thyroid disease can be at the root of your problems. Consult your doctor for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Green Nail Syndrome
Green nail syndrome (GNS), also called chloronychia, is an infection, that as the name suggests, is characterized by a greenish discoloration of the nail. The color can range from dark green to bluish-green to greenish-grey, and generally does not affect all of the nails simultaneously, but rather only one or two.
GNS can be caused by a nail detachment (onycholysis) that allows moisture under the nail. As a result of excess moisture, a bacteria called pseudomonas forms and causes GNS in finger or toenails. Other contributing factors that allow pseudomonas to thrive are wearing tight fitting shoes for extended periods of time, dishwashing, cooking, etc. Basically any type of activity or job where the nail is frequently exposed to excess moisture can cause the onset of GNS. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, GNS responds well to treatments such as topical ointments and antibiotics, although in certain cases a portion of the nail will need to be removed.
Terry’s Nails
Terry’s nails is a condition caused by a decreased blood supply to the nail bed, which is characterized by the majority of the nail turning white with red or dark tips. It is most often an indication that you’re suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, liver, kidney or heart failure, or diabetes. It can also be indicative of malnutrition or an overactive thyroid. While the condition can also be caused by anemia that results from low iron levels, because of the severity of the other causes (about 80 percent of patients with liver cirrhosis have this condition), make an appointment to get yourself checked if you notice your nail beds becoming progressively whiter.
Onychogryphosis
Onychogryphosis, also known as Ram’s Horn Nails, is a condition, most often in the toenails (and specifically in the big toe), where the nails become thickened, curved, and in some cases, horn-like. This condition is common among the elderly, and is often caused by long periods of wearing ill-fitting shoes, like high heels. Another cause of this condition is a fungal infection - which may also cause the nails to become discolored and crumble. It can also be caused by psoriasis or reactive arthritis, where the body’s immune system attacks the joints, muscles, or other body parts after suffering from an infection.
In most cases, treatment is limited to just trimming the affected nails. In some cases, however, the nails become so thick that they are very difficult or impossible to cut with nail clippers; in these cases, they may need to be removed by a doctor.
Koilonychia
Koilonychia is a condition that causes the fingernails to grow out indented, curving inward like the inside of a spoon rather than growing straight or slightly rounded outward. This condition is typically secondary and symptomatic of any of a number of other medical conditions, which can include iron deficiency anemia (or, conversely, haemochromatosis, where the body’s iron levels are too high) or lupus.
It can also be caused by Raynaud’s disease, which also has the characteristic symptom of the nails and/or toes turning white, as a result of a problem with the blood supply to the extremities.