New publications
What will your nails tell you about your health?
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
A person's external appearance always reflects any internal diseases: this can be expressed in swelling, hair loss, pigmentation, peeling, as well as changes in the texture and color of the nails. However, people often try to get rid of such problems with cosmetics, without even suspecting what may be behind it.
Read also: How to avoid getting nail fungus?
Try to take a good look at your nails, because they can tell a lot about your health.
- Nails are peeling, vertical stripes have appeared on the surface
This may indicate insufficient production of hormones by the thyroid gland. This disease is called hypothyroidism. In addition to changes in the nail plates, a person experiences dry skin and hair, as well as paleness, sometimes this condition is accompanied by hair loss.
- Separation of the nail plate from soft tissues
Often, this process begins with the fourth or fifth finger of the hand. If you see that the nails are starting to move away from the nail bed, then most likely the cause is hyperthyroidism - a disease in which the thyroid gland produces hormones in excess, and this leads to excessive and rapid growth of nails and leads to their deformation. In addition to problems with nails, there is a displacement of the eyeballs forward (bulging eyes), increased appetite, sweating and weight loss.
- Indentation across the nail
It may appear on one nail or on all nails in the same location. This may mean that a person has diabetes, psoriasis or Raynaud's disease. Changes in the nail plates may be caused by drugs used in chemotherapy and beta blockers.
- White stripes in the transverse direction
They may reflect problems with the liver, cardiovascular system and kidneys. However, most likely, white stripes on the nails indicate a lack of zinc and iron in the human body.
- Holes and indentations on the surface of the nail
This deformation is called the "thimble symptom". The uneven surface is easily felt by touch and with the naked eye. Often, this symptom is a sign of psoriasis. The sooner you start treating the disease, the greater the chances of a speedy recovery.
- Paleness and a depressed area in the center of the nail
If you place your hands on the table with your palms down, the deformation will be clearly visible. Such changes can be caused by a lack of iron in the body, which is called iron deficiency anemia.
- Wide nails that curl at the tip of the finger
In combination with thickening of the terminal phalanges, this may indicate a lung disease, in particular lung cancer, as well as heart disease and liver cirrhosis. If you also notice shortness of breath, cough or pain in the right hypochondrium, this is a serious reason to seek help from a specialist.