Nail changes may signal serious health issues, expert warns
A dermatologist says changes in nail color or shape can indicate conditions like iron deficiency, thyroid disorders, or heart and lung disease.
Key Takeaways
AIDermatologist and cosmetology specialist Dr. Yekaterina Anbilogova has warned that changes in the color or shape of nails may indicate serious health problems.
She explained that thin, brittle, and concave nails can be a sign of iron deficiency, while severe brittleness may be linked to poor nutrition, thyroid disorders, or certain chronic illnesses.
Anbilogova noted that the appearance of nails alone is not enough to accurately diagnose a health issue, as changes in nail color, thickness, or structure could also result from local infections or injuries.
She pointed out that small white spots often appear after cosmetic nail procedures or minor trauma.
She added that rare changes, such as rounded nails with clubbing—a condition known as "clubbing"—are seen in some patients with lung or heart diseases.
The doctor advised paying attention to nail darkening, especially if a pigmented line appears on a single nail and gradually widens or changes color, as this could, in rare cases, indicate a nail melanoma, requiring a consultation with a dermatologist.