Fingernail Diagnostics

        Changes in toenails and fingernails may indicate specific types of illnesses. Following are some of the more common nail problems and what they could mean.

         Pitted Nails  Psoriasis, eczema or parasites.
         Horizontal ridges (Beau's lines)  Flu, malnutrition, hormonal disorders or anemia
         Lengthwise grooves  Kidney disorders, iron deficiency;
         also associated with general aging.
         Splitting- Vertical nails  Calcium deficiency - tendency to develop arthritis.
         Horizontal white streaks  Sickle cell disease, heart disease.
         Hodgkin's disease or kidney failure.
         Vertical red streaks  Rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure or
         psoriasis.
         Brittle nails  Vitamin A, Calcium or Iron deficiency,
         thyroid problems, impaired kidney function
         or circulation problems.
         White spots  Zinc deficiency
         White nails  Liver or kidney disorders or anemia.
         Yellow nails  Diabetes, liver problems, trouble with the
         respiratory or lymph system.
         Deep blue nails  Pulmonary obstructions such as asthma or
         emphysema.
         Nails bending  Rheumatoid arthritis
         Thick nails  Blood is not circulating properly.
         Flat, spoon shaped nails  Vit B-12 deficiency, anemia or thyroid disease.
         Clubbed purple nails - rise upward
         and curl around the fingertips
         Lung, Liver, colon or heart disorders.
         White moon area turns red  Heart Problems.
         White moon area turns slate blue  Lung trouble or over exposure to silver.
         Downward curved nail ends  Heart, Liver or Respiratory problems.
         Nails that chip or crack easily  Nutritional and /or mineral deficiency.

        Source: Medical Resource Center