Semi-transparent, light pink, intact and a white lunula just above the cuticle is what a healthy nail is supposed to be. In a few instances, individual nails may develop white lines or dots or even bacterial or fungal infections which can be treated. However, latent illness in a body can change the appearance and health of the nail. It is therefore important to watch out for changes in the nail.
White nail syndrome is one of the indicators of nail health. The nail appears to be cloudy or white. This condition could indicate possible heart disease, renal failure, pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis or liver cirrhosis. Terry’s nail is another indicator. This indicator exhibits a white and grainy nail with pink or red strips at the top. This is because of the decrease in the blood supply to the nail bed and increase in the connective tissue. This nail condition is seen in 80 percent of the patients suffering from liver cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, diabetes, congestive heart failure or HIV. Lindsay’s nails also known as half-and-half nails is a condition of the nails where the bottom part of the nail appears to be white while the top portion of the nail is darker pink or brown in color. This is because of the swelling of the nail bed in the bottom and increased production of melanin (a skin pigment type) at the top portion. Chronic renal disease or HIV could be a possible cause for this type of nail condition.
Mee’s line is a condition where horizontal lines appear in the nail. This occurs due to microscopic fragmentation of the nail after disruption of growth of the nail. This could indicate heart failure, poisoning by arsenic or other heavy elements like thallium and Hodgkin’s disease. Problems associated with hypoalbuminemia, liver disease, malnutrition and nephrotic syndrome can be identified by Muehrcke’s nail. In this nail condition, the nails have paired white lines in the second, third and fourth fingers. These lines will disappear when the nail is pressed. Blue nail is a condition where the lunula or the entire nail appears to be blue in color due to Wilson’s disease or poisoning by silver. Red lunula is a condition where the lunula appears to be red due to carbon monoxide poisoning, possible cardiac failure, chronic urticaria, cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or psoriasis. Vertical brown streaks appear due to benign nevus or chemical staining by some nail polishes.
Beau’s line, a deep horizontal groove, is a nail texture change indicating possible peripheral artery disease, psoriasis or Raynaud’s disease. Another texture change, pitting, is observed in 10-50 percent of the people suffering with psoriasis. It is also observed in people suffering from Reiter’s syndrome and sarcoidosis.
Spoon shaped nails having concave edges become white and fragile due to iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, malnutrition and continuous exposure to petroleum based solvents. Clubbed nails have soft tissues around the nails and become bulb shaped while the nails become thicker, harder and shinier. This could be because of low oxygen levels in the blood. It can also indicate lung and heart diseases.
If your nails have any of the above conditions, consider it to be an omen to visit your doctor.