Your nails are more than just a canvas for your favourite polish – they’re actually a great insight into your overall health and wellbeing. These small but significant parts of your body can reveal important clues about nutritional deficiencies, infections, and even serious underlying medical conditions. Knowing what your nails are trying to tell you could be the key to catching health issues early and maintaining healthy feet.
Reading the Rainbow of Health Signals
The colour of your nails can provide remarkable insights into your health. Healthy nails typically appear pink with a smooth, consistent tone, but various conditions can cause dramatic colour changes.
Yellow nails are often one of the most common concerns, frequently indicating fungal nail infections that may require professional treatment. In severe cases, laser treatment for fungal nails is an increasingly popular and effective option for those struggling with persistent infections that don’t respond to traditional antifungal medications.
White nails, on the other hand, can signal anaemia or liver problems, while pale nail beds might indicate poor circulation or nutritional deficiencies. Blue or purple nails often suggest circulation issues, which require immediate medical attention.
Texture Changes
The texture of your nails can be equally revealing about the status of your health. Healthy nails should be smooth, strong, and relatively flexible. However, various factors can cause significant texture changes that signal underlying problems. Ridges running vertically along the nail are often harmless signs of ageing, but horizontal ridges can indicate illness, high fever, or severe stress that has temporarily interrupted nail growth.
Brittle, dry nails that crack or split easily can suggest thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies (particularly a lack of biotin, iron, or vitamin D), or excessive exposure to harsh chemicals, while soft, thin nails that bend easily can indicate hormonal imbalances. Thick, overgrown nails are typically a sign of fungal infections.
Nail Separation
Onycholysis, or nail separation, occurs when the nail begins to separate from the nail bed, creating a white or yellowish area at the tip of the nail. This condition can have various causes, ranging from minor trauma to serious underlying health conditions. Injury from aggressive manicuring, prolonged exposure to water, or even wearing tight-fitting shoes can cause separation. However, fungal infections are one of the most common causes of nail separation.
Painful Toes
If you’re experiencing a sudden pain in your big toe, it could be gout. This is a form of inflammatory arthritis which is caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. While it can affect the elbows, knees or wrists, it’s most common in the feet and especially the big toe.
Another cause of pain in the toes is an ingrown toenail, which can cause swelling and inflammation to the side of the nail bed. This occurs when the edge of the toenail grows into the surrounding skin, typically at the side of the nail bed. As the nail continues to press into the soft tissue, it can result in noticeable swelling, redness, and inflammation.
The affected area may also become tender to the touch, and wearing shoes or walking can become incredibly painful. If left untreated, the ingrown nail can break the skin, creating an entry point for bacteria and infection.
When to Seek Professional Help
While minor nail changes are often harmless and temporary, certain signs should be seen to by a professional. Any sudden, dramatic changes in nail colour, texture, or growth pattern should be evaluated by a specialist, and signs of swelling or infection need to be treated straight away to prevent them from getting worse and spreading. Remember that nail changes often reflect other health issues, so addressing problems may require treating other underlying conditions first like diabetes, thyroid disorders, or nutritional deficiencies.
Your nails are constantly growing and changing, and in the process, they can act as an ongoing record of your health. Pay attention to these important signals so you can take proactive steps to maintain your overall wellbeing and catch potential health issues before they become serious problems.
At the Sussex Foot Centre, we offer a range of services to help keep your feet healthy, including chiropody, podiatry, nail surgery and more. Contact us to book an appointment.