Why do fingernails curve

Shop for manicure scissors. Your fingernails can reveal a lot about the state of your health. Conditions ranging from stress to thyroid disease may be causing changes in your….

A narrow, vertical black line on your nail is called a splinter hemorrhage. Lines that create a horizontal stripe are called Beau's lines.

Peeling nails can result from trauma to the nail. Picking off nail polish and pressing on your nails can cause them to peel. Have you ever noticed little depressions in your fingernails and toenails?

This is called nail pitting. Here's why it happens and what you can do…. Ingrown fingernails can often be treated at home, but sometimes they'll require a trip to the doctor. But could it also be the cause of yellow nails? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nail Abnormalities. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What are nail abnormalities? You should always consult your doctor if you have any questions about changes in your nails. Abnormalities of the fingernail.

Share on Pinterest. Koilonychia spooning. Leukonychia white spots. Yellow nail syndrome. How to care for your nails.

Read this next. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. Fortune tellers say they can divine a person's destiny by reading the lines in the palm of the hand. But when it comes to discerning the state of one's health, turning the hand over is far more illuminating. Fingernails can reveal an amazing amount about a person's health, medical experts say, with a surprising number of conditions manifesting themselves with changes in the shape, colour or overall state of the nails.

Lung disorders, nasal polyps, anemia, inflammatory bowel syndrome and liver diseases can provoke changes in the fingernails. In some cases those alterations can prompt people to seek medical attention, in the process bringing to light previously undiagnosed conditions. In others, the state of a patient's nails will help a physician clarify what is at play. The bed of the fingernails of healthy individuals should be a light pink.

Nail beds that are white may suggest anemia — a red blood cell deficiency which itself can be a symptom of other, sometimes serious, diseases. When the nails themselves grow opaque and white, it can be a sign of liver disease. White nails with a dark band at the tip — a condition called Terry's nails — can be a sign of aging but could also signal congestive heart failure, diabetes or liver disease, according to a photo slide show on fingernail conditions on the Mayo Clinic website.

Kidney problems are suspected with a condition known as half-and-half nail, in which the lower part of the nail bed is white but a portion towards the tip of the nail is pink. Bluish nails can signal a lack of oxygen, a sign a person might be suffering from one of a number of lung conditions. Green nails can be caused by infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium which is common in the environment.

Antibiotics can clear up this condition. Poulin says respiratory tract problems — such as nasal polyps and chronic sinusitis — can trigger yellow nail syndrome, which he describes as rare. We explain some of the common causes below. Iron helps maintain healthy cells, skin, hair, and nails, while an iron deficiency may be due to:.

Besides curving, symptoms may include thickening and shallow or deep holes in the nail. This rare disorder affects the arteries, causing them to periodically narrow and block blood flow to specific body parts, usually the fingers or toes.

However, there is no cure. This genetic disorder causes the body to absorb too much iron from the diet. While a person typically has around 1 gram g of iron in their body at any time, this condition can cause a buildup of 5 grams or more. Hemochromatosis can damage the liver, heart, and pancreas.

Without treatment, people may show signs of iron toxicity in their 30s , and the disease may be fatal. Management involves the regular removal of blood until iron levels are within a normal range. Dietary changes may also help. Learn more here. This chronic disease can cause trigger inflammation and pain in any area of the body.

About 1. Symptoms of this autoimmune disorder can flare up and recede. Beyond curvature of the nails, they can include:. It may be worth speaking with a doctor about persistent, noticeable changes to the nails. It is especially crucial for a person to consult with a healthcare professional if other symptoms are present. A doctor will identify the underlying issue and advise on the best course of treatment.

Changes to the nails, such as curving, sometimes result from an underlying health issue requiring treatment. However, these changes are not always a cause for concern.

If curving of the nails occurs with other symptoms, a person should seek medical treatment. Brittle nails are a common problem.