Your Nails: A Window to Hidden Illnesses

Five distinct changes in your nails and hands could serve as early warnings for underlying health problems, including chronic conditions. Dr. Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist, explained these signs could help in identifying and treating serious health issues sooner.

Clubbing, where fingertips swell and nails curve, may point to lung or heart disease due to reduced oxygen. Spoon-shaped nails, known as koilonychia, can be an indicator of iron deficiency anemia, often appearing before other symptoms. Red streaks, or splinter hemorrhages, might signal inflammation of blood vessels, potentially linked to systemic conditions if not caused by trauma.

Swollen finger joints are a classic sign of arthritis, whether osteoarthritis or inflammatory types. Furthermore, pitting in nails is a significant indicator of psoriasis and is frequently associated with psoriatic arthritis. Observing these nail changes could prompt earlier medical consultation, leading to more effective management of various health concerns.