What does the lunula say about your health?

A small lunula is usually an indication of low energy, poor health and a weak immune system. An excessively large lunula may be an indication of problems with your cardiovascular system, heartbeat and low blood pressure.

What is a healthy lunula?

Healthy lunulae are usually a whitish color and take up a small portion of the bottom of your nail. They're usually most visible on your thumb. You may notice that they appear smaller on your pointer finger, gradually shrinking in size until you reach your pinkie where they may be barely visible.

What does nail lunula indicate?

Most people have a small, whitish, half-moon shape at the base of each fingernail where the nail attaches to the cuticle and finger. Some people cannot see a half-moon, or lunula, on the nail while a missing half-moon may suggest a person has a vitamin deficiency or a serious medical condition.

Why is my lunula getting bigger?

Systemic conditions may be associated with enlarged lunula. These include hyperthyroidism, leprosy, and scleroderma [9]. Investigators evaluated 39 patients with connective tissue diseases including dermatomyositis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Why do I only see lunula on my thumbs?

When lunulae only appear on the thumbs, physical energy is insufficient and disease may be imminent. People with absent fingernail moons are not necessarily ill but they tend to have serious diseases when they do get sick. Conversely, some Western doctors may simply view lunula absence as atypical.

What Healthy Nails Look Like: What the Lunula of Your Nails Says about Your Health - Australia 360

What does absence of lunula indicate?

Though the connection is not completely understood, an absent lunula can indicate anemia, malnutrition, and depression. Make an appointment with your doctor if you're experiencing any of the following symptoms along with an absence of lunula: lightheadedness or dizziness. unusual cravings, such as dirt or clay.

What do your nails look like with anemia?

Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.

What does a normal lunula look like?

A healthy lunula is whitish in colour and takes up a small portion of the bottom of the nail. They are commonly visible on the nail.

Can your fingernails show signs of illness?

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

What is considered a large lunula?

Lunulae are considered large when they occupy a third (or more) of the fingernail. They indicate problems with the cardiovascular system, heartbeat disruption, and low blood pressure. Large lunulae can be often found in athletes and people whose occupation is connected with physical activity.

Why is a lunula important?

The lunula has a primary structural role in defining the free edge of the distal nail plate. Lunular anomalies include changes in form and structure and in color.

Does kidney disease affect your fingernails?

Nail changes.

Kidney disease can affect the appearance of your fingernails, toenails, or both. People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails.

Can fingernails show heart problems?

Ripples on nails or pitted nails may be caused by a skin disorder, psoriasis, eczema, or arthritis. Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tip of the finger. It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS.

Does liver disease affect your fingernails?

Fingernails: Possible problems

Terry's nails can sometimes be attributed to aging. In other cases, Terry's nails can be a sign of a serious underlying condition, such as liver disease, congestive heart failure, kidney failure or diabetes.

Why don't my fingernails have half moons?

It is a part of the matrix and reveals a lot about your health. Missing half-moon in some cases can be due to malnutrition, depression or anemia. You must consult your doctor if your nail starts appearing red and you experience symptoms like dizziness, anxiety and lightheadedness.

What are the 3 stages of iron deficiency?

Can you tell iron deficiency from eyes?

If you pull your lower eyelid down while looking in a mirror, the inside layer should be a vibrant red color. If it's a very pale pink or yellow, you may have iron deficiency. In people with darker skin tones, the eyelid may be the only area where this condition is noticeable.

Can low iron cause weight gain?

Iron-deficient people experience low energy levels and sudden weight gain because of an underactive thyroid gland.

How does depression affect lunula?

Our study found that depression was associated with absent lunula, and severe depression was associated with a greater number of absent lunula.

Can high cholesterol affect your nails?

If you have high cholesterol, you're more likely to have a ring, though it becomes more common the older you get “” high cholesterol or not. They look like splinters under your fingernails, but you're actually seeing blood clots that have broken off and found their way into the tiny blood vessels under your nails.

What are the signs that your heart is not working properly?

Chest pain. Fainting or severe weakness. Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting. Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink, foamy mucus.

What deficiency causes vertical ridges in nails?

Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges. Hormonal changes can also cause ridges to appear.

What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?

What are the first signs of kidney problems?

What are the signs that your kidneys are not working properly?

If your kidneys aren't working properly, you may notice one or more of the following signs: Fatigue (extreme tiredness) An upset stomach or vomiting. Confusion or trouble concentrating.