{"id":849859,"date":"2026-03-25T18:28:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:28:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/849859\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:28:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:28:26","slug":"what-changes-to-your-fingernails-can-reveal-about-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/849859\/","title":{"rendered":"What changes to your fingernails can reveal about your health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"Cuticles
\n\t\tHave a closer look before you get the polish out (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

You may not know it, but there are 10 potential health indicators right at your fingertips.<\/p>\n

From subtle color changes to variations in texture and shape, fingernails often provide early clues about your overall health<\/a> \u2014 and paying attention to these small details can sometimes reveal issues long before other symptoms appear.<\/p>\n

Healthy nails are typically smooth, strong, and uniform in colour, with changes to look out for including the appearance of ridges, discolouration, brittleness, or unusual growth patterns.<\/p>\n

Sometimes, irregularities arise because you\u2019re dehydrated or deficient in a certain nutrient, but certain markers signal more serious issues. <\/p>\n

Dark lines, for example, can in some cases suggest melanoma<\/a>, while clubbing could point to everything from gastrointestinal disorders to chronic lung disease.<\/p>\n

If you spot something different about your nails Dr Giuseppe Aragona, GP and medical adviser for\u00a0Prescription Doctor<\/a>, warns it\u2019s \u2018always important to interpret these signs in the wider clinical context rather than in isolation.\u2019<\/p>\n

However, patterns and persistent changes are worth noting \u2014 and if needed, discussing with a healthcare professional. <\/p>\n

Here, Dr Aragona tells Metro <\/strong>what various different changes in your fingernails might mean.<\/p>\n

Yellow nails<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThis is likely caused by a fungal infection (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

According to Dr Aragona<\/strong>, yellowed nails are most commonly associated with fungal infections, especially \u2018if they are thickened and slow-growing\u2019.<\/p>\n

However, he notes that \u2018in rarer cases they can be linked to conditions such as chronic respiratory disease or lymphatic disorders, particularly if accompanied by swelling elsewhere.\u2019<\/p>\n

Brittle, thin, or splitting nails<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tAre you getting enough iron? (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

\u2018Brittle, thin, or splitting\u00a0nails\u00a0are something we see quite frequently and are often related to repeated exposure to water, detergents, or aging,\u2019 explains Dr Aragona.<\/p>\n

They can sometimes reflect nutritional deficiencies though, such as low iron levels \u2018or, less commonly, thyroid dysfunction.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pale or white nails<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tYour nail beds can also provide clues (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

Some people have naturally lighter nails, but if the nail beds appear \u2018washed out\u2019 it can be a marker of anaemia.<\/p>\n

\u2018More uniformly white\u00a0nails, especially with darker rims, may suggest liver disease, although this tends to be in more advanced cases rather than something seen early on,\u2019 Dr Aragona adds.<\/p>\n

Dark lines or streaks<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tIt\u2019s worth booking in for a checkup (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

\u2018Dark lines or streaks running along the nail should always be taken seriously, particularly if they are new, changing, or irregular,\u2019 says Dr Aragona.<\/p>\n

\u2018While they can occur in people with darker skin as a benign feature, they may in some cases represent a melanoma under the nail and would warrant prompt assessment.\u2019<\/p>\n

A new black or brown vertical line on the fingernail \u2014\u00a0known as\u00a0melanonychia \u2014\u00a0might be a result of physical trauma, medication or simply genetics, but it\u2019s important to get it checked out just in case.<\/p>\n

White spots<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tNo, you don\u2019t need to drink more milk (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

Despite the common belief<\/a> that white spots on the nail mean you\u2019re lacking in calcium, this isn\u2019t actually the case.<\/p>\n

Dr Aragona says they\u2019re \u2018very common\u2019, and \u2018usually the result of minor trauma to the nail matrix rather than indicating any deficiency.\u2019<\/p>\n

Pitting or dents<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tIt\u2019s commonly associated with psoriasis (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

\u2018Pitting of the\u00a0nails, which appears as small dents in the nail surface, is most commonly associated with psoriasis, although it can also be seen in other dermatological conditions such as alopecia areata, and would be interpreted alongside changes in the skin or hair,\u2019 explains Dr Aragona.<\/p>\n

Up to 50% of people with psoriasis experience nail issues, with more than 20 of these depressions highly suggestive of this condition. Other signs include crumbling, discolouration, or nails separating from the nail bed (onycholysis).<\/p>\n

Horizontal ridges or lines<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tBeau\u2019s lines are sometimes known as \u2018time stamps\u2019 (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

There are a few different types of horizontal markings which may appear on your nails, with Beau\u2019s lines being among the most common.<\/p>\n

Dr Aragona notes that these indentations \u2018can occur after a period of significant illness or physiological stress where nail growth temporarily slows or stops\u2019.<\/p>\n

On the contrary, Muehrcke\u2019s lines \u2014\u00a0white transverse bands with no palpable ridges \u2014 \u2018may be associated with low protein levels in the blood, often in the context of chronic illness.\u2019<\/p>\n

Vertical ridges<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tNothing to see here (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re worried about vertical ridges or indentations on your nail, don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u2018These are usually a benign feature of ageing and are not typically a cause for concern unless accompanied by other changes,\u2019 says Dr Aragona.<\/p>\n

Spoon-shaped nails <\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThis can come alongside brittleness or thinning (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

Koilonychia is the medical term for spoon-shaped nails; when the nail develops a flat or concave appearance, as if it\u2019s bending upwards from the edges.<\/p>\n

While Dr Aragona notes this can be associated with iron deficiency anaemia, it\u2019s \u2018something [doctors] would consider alongside symptoms such as fatigue or breathlessness.\u2019<\/p>\n

There are other potential causes, but once the underlying issue is dealt with, the nail usually corrects itself, which is why it\u2019s important to get checked out.<\/p>\n

Clubbed nails<\/p>\n

\t\t\"What
\n\t\tThis is a \u2018significant\u2019 finding (Picture: Myles Goode)<\/p>\n

\u2018Clubbing of the\u00a0nails, where the fingertips become bulbous and the\u00a0nails\u00a0curve around them, is a more significant finding,\u2019 says Dr Aragona. <\/p>\n

As this can be linked to chronic lung disease, heart conditions, or gastrointestinal disorders, he warns that clubbed nails \u2018would always merit further investigation.\u2019<\/p>\n

In general though, if you notice changes to your nails with no obvious cause (such as trauma) it\u2019s a good idea to visit your GP or pharmacist to rule out anything sinister. <\/p>\n

As with all health concerns, it\u2019s better to be safe than sorry. <\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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