Our Nails Tell a Story — What Do the Ridges, Spots and Color Changes Say?
Nurit Rozenblat
Skin & Wellness Magazine
We look at our nails quite a lot. We polish them, tidy them, file them, and sometimes get annoyed when one of them breaks just after we finished grooming them.
But when was the last time we looked at our nails without polish, simply to see what state they are in?
Our nails are made of keratin, the same protein that also makes up our hair. They grow slowly, and every change we see in them can reflect a process that took place weeks or even months earlier.
Some of the changes are completely natural, especially with age, and others may hint at nutritional deficiencies, skin diseases or health problems.
So what can we really learn from our nails?
Ridges along the nail — should we be worried?
If you look closely at your nails, you may notice fine lines running from the base of the nail to its tip.
These are called longitudinal ridges, and they are very common as we get older.
Over the years, the way the nail grows changes, and its surface may become less even. Just as our skin develops fine wrinkles, the nails may also develop delicate grooves.
In most cases there is no medical problem at all.
On the other hand, deep grooves that cross the nail widthwise can indicate a temporary disruption in its growth, for example following a significant illness, an injury or physical strain.
White spots on the nails — is it really a calcium deficiency?
I remember that people used to say that every white spot on the nail indicates a calcium deficiency.
But the truth is different.
The small white spots we usually see are caused by a minor injury to the area where the nail is formed. Sometimes it is a blow we do not even remember receiving, and sometimes pressure from a manicure or nail treatment.
The spots usually advance as the nail grows and disappear when it is trimmed.
They are not a reliable sign of a calcium deficiency.
Brittle, splitting nails — why does it happen?
Nails that break easily or split into layers are a common phenomenon, especially among women.
Repeated exposure to water, cleaning agents, polish removers and aggressive manicure treatments can weaken the nail.
Age also plays a role. Over the years the nails may become drier and more brittle.
In some cases brittleness can be linked to an iron deficiency or a problem with thyroid function, but not every broken nail indicates a nutritional deficiency.
What do I recommend doing?
- Apply hand cream to the nails and the skin around them as well.
- Use gloves when cleaning or washing dishes for a long time.
- Reduce the use of acetone and aggressive filing treatments.
- Avoid forcefully peeling off gel polish.
- Keep a varied diet that provides protein, iron, zinc and other essential nutrients.
Yellow nails — it is not always a fungus
Yellowish nails can appear following prolonged use of dark polish, smoking, or changes in the nail's structure.
But sometimes the cause is a fungal infection, especially if the nail also thickens, crumbles or begins to lift from its bed.
It is important to know that not every yellow nail is a fungus, so before starting a long treatment it is worth verifying what the cause is.
And what about a dark stripe on the nail?
Here it is important to distinguish between different types of color changes.
A brown or black stripe along the nail can stem from natural pigmentation, an injury, medications or other causes.
But a new dark stripe, especially if it appears on a single nail, widens, changes shape or is accompanied by a color change in the skin around the nail, requires an examination by a dermatologist.
In rare cases it can be a sign of melanoma developing in the nail area.
This is not meant to frighten, but to remind us that the nails are part of our skin too, and that it is important to pay attention to changes in them as well.
Spoon-shaped nails — when the nail changes shape
There is a condition in which the nail becomes very flat or takes on a concave shape, almost like a small spoon.
The phenomenon is called koilonychia (Koilonychia), and it is sometimes associated with iron deficiency or anemia.
However, it can also appear for other reasons, so the shape of the nail alone is not enough for a diagnosis.
If it is a new and persistent change, it is worth having it checked.
Do biotin supplements really strengthen nails?
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, has become a popular ingredient in supplements for hair and nails.
There are small studies that point to a possible improvement in brittle nails, but the evidence is still limited, and in women without a biotin deficiency there is no convincing proof that such a supplement improves nail health.
It is also important to know that high doses of biotin can interfere with the results of certain blood tests, including thyroid tests and cardiac markers.
So I would not rush to take a supplement just because the nails break.
How long does it take for a nail to renew itself?
Fingernails grow on average about three millimeters a month, and it takes about four to six months for a fingernail to be completely replaced.
Toenails grow more slowly, and sometimes 12 to 18 months are needed for their complete replacement.
This is also why improving the condition of the nails requires patience.
You cannot expect a damaged nail to look new after a week of applying oil or cream.
And to finish — look at your nails from time to time, too
We invest quite a lot in caring for our facial skin, hair and the appearance of our hands, but the nails themselves often get attention only when they break.
In my eyes, it is worth removing the polish from time to time and looking at them as they are.
Not in order to look for diseases in every small ridge, but to know their natural appearance and recognize unusual changes.
The nails cannot tell us exactly what is happening inside the body, but sometimes they give a hint that is worth listening to.
And proper care, in my view, is not only about keeping a beautiful appearance. It is also about learning to know our body, understanding the changes it goes through and knowing when to give it a little more attention.
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