This document discusses 7 signs of possible health problems that can be seen in fingernails: 1. Yellow nail syndrome, which causes yellow discoloration and thickening of nails, can indicate respiratory or circulatory issues. 2. Nail pitting, seen as small depressions in nails, can be caused by psoriasis, nail injuries, or conditions damaging the nail cuticle. 3. Nail clubbing, when fingertips enlarge and nails curve around them, often indicates lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, or liver disease due to low blood oxygen. 4. Spoon nails, which are soft and scooped out, can indicate iron deficiency anemia.

1. AWARENESS ARTICLES
INITIATED BY
EMPLOYEE RELATIONS
BUSINESS HR
ETIQA
FINGERNAILS
19 November 2008
1

2. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Fingernails and your health
• Your fingernails can provide clues
to your overall health. But do you
know how to read the signs?
• Learn about some nail conditions
that might require medical
attention. If you have a nail
problem that doesn't seem to be
going away, or is associated with
other signs and symptoms, make
an appointment with your doctor
to get it checked out.
2

3. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Yellow nail syndrome
• Yellow discoloration in your
fingernails may result from a
respiratory condition, such as
chronic bronchitis, or from swelling
of your hands (lymphedema). In
yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken
and new growth slows, resulting in
discoloration. Nails affected with
this condition may lack a cuticle
and may detach from the nail bed
in places.
• Although this condition is often a
sign of respiratory disease, it's
possible to have yellow nails and
not have a respiratory condition.
Yellow nails may also result from
any condition that causes the
growth of your nails to slow down.
3

4. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Nail pitting
• Small depressions in the nails are
common in people with psoriasis —
a skin condition that produces
scaly patches. They may also result
from nail injuries. Pitting may cause
your nails to crumble.
• Pitting is also associated with
conditions that can damage your
nail's cuticle, such as chronic
dermatitis of your fingers or
alopecia areata, an autoimmune
disease that causes hair loss
4

5. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Nail clubbing
• Clubbing occurs when the tips of
your fingers enlarge and your nails
curve around your fingertips. This
condition results from low oxygen
levels in your blood and could be a
sign of lung disease. Clubbing is
also associated with inflammatory
bowel disease and liver disease.
5

6. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Spoon nails
• Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft
nails that look scooped out. The
depression usually is large enough
to hold a drop of liquid. Spoon nails
may be a sign of iron deficiency
anemia.
6

7. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Terry's nails
• With the condition known as Terry's
nails, your nails look opaque, but
the tip has a dark band.
Sometimes this can be attributed
to aging. In other cases, it can be
a sign of serious illness, such as:
1. Congestive heart failure
2. Diabetes
3. Liver disease
4. Malnutrition
7

8. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Beau's lines
• Beau's lines are indentations that
run across your nails. They can
appear when growth at the area
under your cuticle is interrupted by
injury or severe illness. Diseases or
illnesses associated with Beau's lines
include:
1. Uncontrolled diabetes
2. Circulatory diseases, such as
peripheral artery disease
3. Illness associated with a high
fever, caused by pneumonia,
scarlet fever, mumps or
measles
4. Malnutrition
8

9. FINGERNAILS — 7 signs of possible health problems
Nail separates from nail bed
• With a condition known as
onycholysis, your fingernails
become loose and can separate
from the nail bed. If your nails show
signs of detaching, this may be
associated with:
1. Injury or infection
2. Thyroid disease
3. Drug reactions
4. Reactions to nail hardeners or
acrylic nails
5. Psoriasis
9

10. HAPPY READING!!!!
Take A GOOD LOOK AT YOUR
FINGERNAILS FROM TIME TO
TIME…..
10