Your nail color can say a lot about your health.
Experts have asked people to check their fingernails for any unusual changes that could indicate potentially serious health problems.
According to specialists, if your nails develop a certain color, you can be at risk of several life-threatening diseases.
The Association of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has highlighted on its website some worrying symptoms that can manifest in the nails.
“Have you noticed a change in your nails lately? A change in color, texture, or shape may be harmless, but it could also be a sign of illness. If you notice any of the following changes in a fingernail or toenail, it’s time to see a board-certified dermatologist,” they said.
The website then explained: “A disease in your body can cause your nails to change color. Certain color changes can be a warning sign of a specific disease.”
In light of their message, the following are colors to look out for as they develop in your fingernails:
• White
The AAD states that white nails may indicate liver disease or diabetes. As for liver disease, this is more likely if you suffer from cirrhosis, the most advanced stage of liver disease.
• Half pink, half white
Nails with a half-pink, half-white appearance may indicate kidney disease. The AAD describes this specific symptom as: “A white color at the top of one or more nails and a normal to reddish-brown color underneath.”
• Yellow
Yellow-tinted nails may indicate lung disease. This color change is believed to be related to problems with your circulatory or lymphatic system.
Nevertheless, yellowing nails can also be the result of a fungal infection or cigarette smoking.
• Dark red crescents
The AAD explained that a new or changing dark line under a nail could be cancer. It said: “That dark line could be melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.” The NHS issued a similar warning. It said to see a doctor if “you have a dark area under a nail that is not caused by an injury.”
Other colors your nails can change to include:
• Blue nails – insufficient oxygen in your bloodstream.
• Pale nails – anemia (iron deficiency).
• Blue crescents – may indicate poisoning.
