Mirror of your health: interpreting fingernails correctly
Fingernails are much more than a beauty feature. They are a biological health indicatorwhich can provide subtle indications of deficiencies, internal diseases or hormonal changes.
If the colour, texture or strength of your nails changes, this may underlying health problems point out. Find out here what you can recognise from your fingernails - and when you should seek medical advice.
Fingernails & health - why they are so meaningful
The nails grow about 0.1 mm per day. During this process, minerals, pigments and cells are deposited, resulting in typical structures or changes. These give Information about your supply, organs or metabolic processes.
Typical nail changes and what they can mean
1. Grooves in the nails
- Longitudinal grooves: mostly due to age or lack of moisture
- Transverse grooves (Beau lines): Indication of infections, fever, stress or metabolic disorders
👉 Cross grooves should be clarified by a doctor
2. White spots
- Often caused by minor injuries to the nail matrix
- Myth: They do not necessarily indicate a calcium deficiency
👉 Zinc deficiency may play a role if it occurs more frequently
3. Brittle or splintering nails
- Typical for Biotin, iron or silicon deficiency
- Hypothyroidism also possible
4. Discolouration of the nails
- Yellow tint: Smoking, nail varnish residue, rarely fungus or liver problems
- Bluish nails: Indication of oxygen deficiency or circulatory problems
- Brownish-black stripes: Check with a doctor - can be harmless, but can also mean melanoma
5. Spoon nails (koilonychia)
- Nails are noticeably thin and curl upwards
- Frequently with Iron deficiency or anaemia
6. Drum beater fingers (watch glass nails)
- Nail bulges strongly outwards, fingertip appears thickened
- Possible reference to Heart, lung or liver disease
When should you have a medical examination?
🔺 If you experience several of these symptoms at the same time
🔺 If the changes occur suddenly and severely
🔺 If fatigue, hair loss, pale skin or shortness of breath also occur
A complete blood count (incl. iron, B12, zinc, thyroid values) usually provides clarity.
What you can do for healthy nails
- Biotin & Zinc regularly through diet or supplements
- Sufficient Drink water
- Contact with Avoid aggressive cleaning agents
- Natural care: oil baths with jojoba or almond oil
- Shorten & file nails regularly but gently
🧾 Conclusion: use fingernails as a health compass
Your nails can tell you early on if your body is missing something - or if something is wrong. If you look closely and take small changes seriously, you can Recognise important information for your health - long before symptoms become noticeable.