What do our nails reveal about our health?

Well-groomed nails are important for our self-image and are a sign of our health and nutrition.

Their color, their appearance, or even the presence of spots, streaks, undulations: all these signs can indicate possible health problems related to the heart, liver, lungs, or even nutritional deficiencies.

In addition, on a daily basis, nails are subject to external attacks such as pollution, stress, manicures or even exposure to chemicals.

Examining the condition of your nails can therefore be useful to complement a diagnosis established by a doctor.

Here are the different aspects of nails that reveal health problems:

• Yellow nails: Healthy nails are usually pink. Yellow nails are caused by heavy smoking, applying nail polish without a protective base coat, or liver malfunction. Fungal and yeast infections can also cause yellowing. In this case, consult a dermatologist to check for infection. A topical treatment is then administered to treat the nail.

• White nails: Nails with small white spots may indicate anemia. or simply shocks that alter blood circulation. These microtraumas can also be a sign of psoriasis or an inflammatory disease such as eczema.

• Black nails: When nails are black, they should be monitored closely. The appearance of a black spot or black band on the nail may be a sign of malignant melanoma. This is a tumor that must be treated as quickly as possible and is treated like skin cancer. The presence of bruises that occur following a shock or pinching is benign.

• Blue or purple nails: Blue or purple nails are very often due to poor blood circulation. To make them pink again, it is recommended to warm your hands and take medication to help open the blood vessels. 

• Red nails: Red spots on the nails can be a sign of heart disease or poor lung or kidney function. Also, if the skin around the nails is swollen and red, it's likely an infection, lupus, or another connective tissue disease. This inflammation should be treated promptly and locally. 

• Cupped nails: Nails that tend to bulge slightly are benign. However, if they develop suddenly, they can indicate a lack of oxygen in the blood, which can lead to various lung and heart diseases. Additionally, nails that become hollow in the center are a sign of hypothyroidism.

• Fragile and brittle nails: Fragile nails that break easily can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, psoriasis, excessive use of harsh products (cleaning products, nail polish, etc.) or hypothyroidism. 

• Ridged nails - with lines - with cracks: First of all, ridges on the nails are very often due to a lack of iron or a hormonal change such as the onset of menopause or dehydration of the nail. White horizontal lines, on the other hand, indicate a lack of protein. The presence of vertical cracks reveals a deficiency in vitamin B12 or magnesium . Finally, lines that are hollow and horizontal can indicate a nutritional deficiency or a risk of diabetes.

To care for and restore strong, shiny nails, here are some tips:

First, to maintain healthy nails , you must avoid biting them because there is a risk of developing a viral or bacterial infection.

In addition, cutting your nails regularly is necessary to strengthen them and prevent breakage.

It's also very important not to over-expose your nails to harmful products. For example, you should leave several weeks between nail polish applications to let them breathe, or use a glove to protect them from harsh cleaning products.

If the nails are damaged , crack and break easily , it means that they are not sufficiently hydrated. Applying a moisturizing, nourishing, good quality and hypoallergenic cream daily is therefore recommended.

Once a week, you can use certain vegetable oils (castor, argan, olive, etc.) as treatments to deeply nourish and moisturize your nails. To maximize the effect of the oils, you can do a gentle massage for several minutes. These vegetable oils are also very effective for taking care of your hair .

Obviously, having a healthy and balanced diet is essential for maintaining healthy nails. Deficiencies that lead to nail deformities or spots can be treated by taking dietary supplements rich in essential nutrients to improve nail condition. A magnesium treatment can be very effective in cases of deficiencies.

Délicure offers sugar-free hair gummies , which are targeted for the beauty of hair, nails and skin. They are enriched with blueberry, vitamins (vitamin B6, vitamin B8, vitamin B9, vitamin B12 and vitamin E), zinc and selenium. This combination of active ingredients helps strengthen nails and promote healthy regrowth .

If the condition of your nails deteriorates due to a health problem or illness, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the appropriate treatment.