Why are my nails discolored?

When they become discolored, it usually means that you've picked up an infection or nail fungus. It can also mean that your nails have been stained by a product like nail polish, or that you're having an allergic reaction.

When should I be concerned about discolored nails?

If a fingernail or toenail has a new or changing dark streak, it's time to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer check. That dark streak could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Not every dark streak is a melanoma, but it's always good to have a dermatologist examine one.

Can 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.

Why are my nails discolored brown?

The most common causes of yellow or brown fingernails are the frequent use of nail polish and cigarette smoking. Taking a break on the polish or quitting smoking may allow the dark nail to grow out as the new nail comes in.

What do renal failure nails look like?

Nail changes.

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. White bands running across one or more nails (Muehrcke's nails)

Tell-nail Signs of Your Health

Why are my nail beds yellow?

With yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken and new growth slows. This results in a yellowish discoloration of the nails. Nails affected by yellow nail syndrome might lack a cuticle and detach from the nail bed in places. Yellow nail syndrome is often a sign of respiratory disease, such as chronic bronchitis.

What do fingernails look like with low iron?

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.

Does liver disease affect 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.

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.

Why are my fingernails not white?

Healthy nails are transparent and look pink because of the vascular activity under the nail bed. They change to clear or white when they grow out past the skin. Changes to your nail like peeling, splitting, or color alterations may be signs of environmental factors or other medical conditions.

Does diabetes cause yellow nails?

In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue. Often this coloring has to do with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails. This kind of yellowing isn't harmful. It doesn't need to be treated.

Can thyroid problems cause yellow nails?

The yellow nail syndrome is rare. It associates the triad: yellow nails, lymphedema and thoracic events. We report two cases of this syndrome with major hypothyroidism. These observations suggest an association between these two diseases.

What are the signs of unhealthy nails?

What are 8 common nail disorders?

What causes nails to look purple?

Blue fingernails are caused by a low level or lack of oxygen circulating in your red blood cells. This condition is known as cyanosis. It occurs when there isn't enough oxygen in your blood, making the skin or membrane below the skin turn a purplish-blue color.

What are signs that your liver is not functioning properly?

Liver failure occurs when your liver isn't working well enough to perform its functions (for example, manufacturing bile and ridding the body of harmful substances). Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and blood in the stool. Treatments include avoiding alcohol and avoiding certain foods.

How do you know if your liver is failing?

Signs and symptoms of acute liver failure may include: Yellowing of your skin and eyeballs (jaundice) Pain in your upper right abdomen. Abdominal swelling (ascites)

Can diabetes affect your nails?

Summary. People with diabetes are vulnerable to infections in and around the nails, including Gram-negative bacteria or fungi. Neuropathy and glycaemia increase the risk, as does damage to the nail or adjacent skin, for example by distorted or sharp-edged nails. It is vital to have good nail care in both hands and feet ...

Can vitamin D deficiency cause nails?

Fat-soluble vitamin deficiency (al. S. M., 2011) – Deficiencies specifically in vitamins A, D, E, and K typically will cause nails to be softer, termed hapalonychia.

Can vitamin deficiency cause nail problems?

Weak nails might also be associated with a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids.

Does lack of calcium affect nails?

When your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, weaker, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just don't look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they're similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems.

How can I get rid of yellow nails?

1) Soak nails in lemon juice and then scrub the stain out. The citric acid is an excellent natural cleaning agent. 2) Soak nails in a solution of 4 parts water, 1 part hydrogen peroxide for 10 minutes. 3) Using a peroxide-containing toothpaste, brush away yellow stains with a toothbrush.

How do you cure yellow nails?

Why do my nails look dirty?

From opening lids to digging in dirt, your fingernails are part of a lot of tasks. This makes the nails a common spot to find dirt, bacteria, lint, dead skin cells, and other unwanted material. In a study of 20 college students, all 20 students had bacteria under their nails, including Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas.