How to Spot Fingernail Health Problems

A person should take the time to learn what a healthy fingernail should look like. Unusual markings, shapes or thickness could be a sign of an underlying disorder. There are some tips to learn how to spot fingernail health problems that all people in healthcare should know. Knowing some of this information can help people recognize when further investigation is needed. Fingernails are often the first spot that major illnesses show up.

1. Research the normal state of healthy nails. Learn how to spot fingernail health problems by knowing the signs and symptoms of a healthy nail tissue. The fingernails can often show signs of underlying major health issues.


2. Learn the abnormal signs of diseased nails. Sometimes the problems may be small and hardly noticeable. Other times the symptoms will be obvious and hard to miss. Inspection of the fingernails should always be part of a health exam.


3. Understand that unusual nail shape like clubbing can indicate cardiac disease and other disorders. Extremely thick nails can also be an indicator of diseases such as diabetes.


4. Look for unusual spots or discolorations on the nail. This could indicate a simple bruise injury or be indicative of a nutritional deficiency.


5. Realize that healthy nails will have a slightly pink color that will blanch when the circulation is cut off. The nail should rapidly return to its original color when the circulation is restored. Sluggish return might indicate circulation problems.


6. Examine the fingernails for extremely fragile or tough but brittle consistency. Either extreme could be a sign of something deeper.


7. Keep fingernails clean and well manicured. Nails that look dirty and ragged may be harboring a variety of germs. Bad hygiene can also be a subtle signal of depression or other illness.


8. Check for ridges or gouges in the nail surface. These could be indicative of more serious ailments.


9. Remember to remove nail polish to get an accurate assessment of the fingernails true state. Nail polish can hide potential signals of disease or problem.