your nails and your healthAbnormalities of the fingernails or toenails are usually the result of injury or infection directly to the nails. However, at other times, changes to the nails and the skin immediately surrounding the nails may be indicative of systemic disease processes occurring in the body. Some of these abnormalities include: Black Bands- this is a normal finding in African-Americans and Asians but in Caucasians a black band starting at the cuticle and growing forward to the tip of the nail may be a sign of melanoma. In this case the nail needs to be removed and a section of the nail bed has to be biopsied. Clubbing- the affected nails become bulbous in appearance as does the surrounding skin. This may be indicative of congestive heart failure, emphysema or even lung cancer. Onycholysis-the nail separates from the underlying nail bed and loosens up. In most cases this is the result of micro trauma to the nail as in walking in a shoe that is too tight. But in some cases this may be evidence of an overactive or underactive thyroid. This would be particularly true if it is occurring on the hands and feet. Red cuticles-redness around the actual nail itself may be indicative of lupus. Red nails-this condition may be seen in congestive heart failure. Splinter hemorrhages-again in most cases this is indicative of trauma to the nail, but when there are multiple nails exhibiting multiple signs of splintering this can be indicative of endocarditis. Spoon nails-when there is a concavity in the nail’s surface (the exact opposite of clubbing) this may indicate iron deficiency anemia. Thin nails-when the nails seems to be very thin and pliable this may indicate a vitamin deficiency of vitamin B. Biotin 2mg taken daily should resolve this problem in 2-3 months. Biotin can be purchased in any health food store. White nails-nails that are extraordinarily white may be a sign of cirrhosis of the liver.
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