Nail disorders

| February 21, 2010 |

Normally nails are a light pink color, with the moons appearing much lighter. Slight variations in the color of pink, a little lighter or darker, are fine. However if the color changes there could be problems. We covered quite a bit on yellow nails already. Click here to see the post on yellow nails.

If your nails take on a greenish color it may be a sign of an infection. The infection could be in the nail bed, on the nail bed or in your system. The most common cause of green on your nail is a mold that has developed between the artificial nail and the nail bed. If caught early it can be easily taken care of. I will post all about mold and fungus soon.

A change in nail color can be an indicator of many different disorders, including but not limited to allergies, diabetes and heart problems. Blue or bluish nails or nail beds usually are a warning sign for asthma or emphysema. Something as simple as a dark blue streak on the nail can imply skin cancer. Tiny black streaks in the nail have been associated with heart problems. Red or brownish spots can indicate vitamin deficiencies or lack of protein.

White lines on the nail can also be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, most commonly iron or zinc. You can easily remedy this with changing your diet or adding supplements. Eat lots of fresh vegetables and drink water and milk. White lines can also be a sign of a more serious condition like liver disease, heart disease or kidney disorders. They can also be the result of high fevers. As always if you feel something isn’t quite right consult your doctor.