Most people do not pay much attention to their nails because they think they are not important. The characteristics of healthy nails are smooth, rosy surfaces, shiny nails and no ridges or discoloration. When nails change color, surface, shape or show unusual signs, it can signal that your body is having problems. So what specifically do abnormal nails signal? Let's find out with YouMed to detect early or prevent serious consequences caused by nail problems.

Rough nails

Normally, a healthy nail will have a smooth surface. When you touch the nail surface and feel that it is no longer smooth, it is an abnormal nail. This sign can be an early warning that you may have psoriasis, eczema or arthritis.

When your nails show signs of abnormality, you can immediately check what problems your nails are having and what health warnings are in the video below.

Concave nails

Healthy nails will have a slight curve upwards. When the nail surface is concave, it can be a sign that your body is suffering from iron deficiency anemia. At this time, the abnormal nail will be flat and concave like a spoon.

Pale Nails

What else are the signs of abnormal nails? Normally, pink nails are a sign of a healthy body. When the color of the nails becomes pale or even white, it can be a sign of illness. At this time, your body is anemic or has liver or cardiovascular diseases.

Yellow Nails

Another color change that warns of an abnormality is the nail turning yellow. Yellow nails are a common symptom in people with nail fungus. When suffering from nail fungus, in addition to color changes, the nails also become thick and rough.

In addition, yellow nails are also found in cases of thyroid disease, diabetes or psoriasis. In rare cases, abnormal nails, specifically yellow nails, are an indicator of the presence of skin cancer.

Jagged nails

Junk nails are often seen in people who have a habit of biting their nails regularly. When the nails are constantly damaged by this bad habit, they become jagged as if they have been gnawed. In addition, jagged nails are also seen in nail diseases such as nail fungus.

Brittle Nails

Healthy nails will be strong and not easily broken without the need for trimming tools. When nails break easily with light force, it means that your nails are weak. The common cause of abnormal, brittle nails is damage to nails by chemicals and regular detergents.

In addition, some diseases also cause brittle nails such as nail fungus or thyroid disease. In particular, hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, causing fatigue, weight loss and abnormalities in many other organs.

Clubbed Fingernails

When the nails swell like drumsticks, it can be the result of a long-term lack of oxygen. Lung diseases that do not provide enough oxygen to the body such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma will manifest as clubbed fingernails. In addition, this symptom can be seen in colitis, cardiovascular disease or liver disease.

Black Stripes on Nails

A black stripe on a nail can be caused by an injury that causes blood to pool under the nail. However, black stripes can also be a sign of a more serious condition.

The cause of black stripes is a malignant disease called melanoma. This is a cancer of the pigment cells, which are normal cells in our skin. When the cells become abnormally proliferated, cancer occurs and often manifests itself in the nails.

White Horizontal Stripes on Nails

Normal nails only have a white crescent shape at the base of the nail. When more white horizontal stripes appear, it is an abnormal sign.

You may not know that nutrients such as zinc and protein are necessary for nail nourishment. A lack of these substances in the body will manifest as white stripes on the nails. In addition, white stripes can also be a sign of liver or kidney disease.

White Spots on Nails

White spots on the nail surface are very common and are not serious. Some cases are genetic, but most are caused by trauma to the nail bed. In case of trauma, you just need to wait for them to grow out and trim them without any other intervention.

When your nails change color, surface, shape, or show unusual signs, it can signal that your body is having problems. Therefore, getting into the habit of checking your nails regularly will help detect serious diseases early.