Our eyes may be the windows to the soul, but your fingernails can be the window to your overall health. It turns out that having strong fingernails isn’t just beneficial for your manicure. Certain fingernail symptoms can be a larger indication of health issues.
According to John Anthony, MD, a dermatologist at the Clevland Clinic in Ohio and Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and author of Skin Rules, there are certain nail symptoms that you should not ignore.
Below you will find the most common health warning signs that your fingernails will show you.
Yellow Nails: According to WebMD, yellow nails are one of the most common warning signs your fingernails can give. They add that one of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. But in rare cases, they also say that it can indicate a more serious condition such as diabetes, thyroid disease, or lung disease. Dr. Anthony adds that yellow nails could also be a cause of smoking, which can stain the nails. So you might want to quit smoking if you notice your nails are constantly yellow, he adds.
Cracked or Brittle Nails: According to Dr. Jailman, cracked or brittle nails can be a sign that the nail plate is extremely dry. WebMD adds that cracked or brittle nails have been linked to thyroid disease. Dr. Jailman explains that hypothyroidism sometimes causes this side effect as well. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid is not producing enough hormones.