Dr. Oz has talked about nail health before on his show. He indicated that white nails may be a sign of liver problems. He also says that nails that are half white and half pink may be a sign of kidney problems. Dr. Oz also says that pale nails may be a sign of anemia. This is why it is very important to see a doctor when you notice abnormalities in your nails. It’s vitally important to pay attention to your nails, because they can tell a lot about what is going on in your body. We should never ignore the condition of our nails, but at the same time we shouldn’t over react and automatically think we are in poor health. It’s important to let a physician look at our nails and determine if further medical investigation needs to be done.
White nails: A sign of possible liver problems
Our fingernails and toenails can tell us a lot about our health. Let me be clear to state that if you have white or pale nails that you don’t necessarily have anything wrong with your liver. It’s just that with liver disease, you might also have pale nails. Your nails are often seen as a window into your overall health. This article will focus on pale nails, and other articles will focus on other nail conditions and their possible health indications.
Vertical and horizontal ridges
Vertical ridges are normal. Vertical ridges are a normal part of aging. However, horizontal ridges can indicate an individual has a serious illness. Horizontal ridges are also called transverse ridges. Horizontal ridges are sometimes seen in cancer patients who are taking chemotherapy. These ridges may also be an indicator of kidney disease, liver problems, and possibly even malnutrition.
Horizontal line across the nail
A single depressed horizontal line across the nail that seems to divide the nail into two sections is called a Beau’s line. A linear depression that divides the nail into two parts usually has a different color in each section of the nail. The section at the top of the nail is usually much lighter than the section at the bottom part of the nail. Beau’s lines may be seen in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and they may also be seen in malnourished individuals, and in people who have metabolic disorders.
Spoon nails
Spoon nails are nails that are concave in shape. They are depressed near the center so that the ends grow upwards. The medical name for spoon nails is called koilonychia. Spoon nails are a possible sign of an iron deficiency. If you notice that your nails are concave in shape and grow upward consult with your physician. It could be that you are deficient in iron. I used to have spoon nails, but since I have been taking vitamins with iron regularly for the last few years, that problem has corrected itself.
Sources:
Dr. Allen Norman
Web MD
Personal knowledge