They often serve as visible indicators of underlying conditions.
For example, Beau’s lines, which appear as horizontal depressions across the nail, may signal a recent illness or stress on the body, such as chemotherapy or severe infections.
Onycholysis, or the detachment of the nail from its bed, may be linked to trauma, psoriasis, thyroid disorders, or fungal infections. Other nail conditions like onychorrhexis (longitudinal ridges), onychoschizia (peeling), and onychomadesis (complete nail shedding) can indicate aging, nutritional deficiencies, or systemic diseases. These signs are not just cosmetic—they often reflect internal imbalances that warrant medical attention.
Autoimmune and dermatologic conditions also leave their mark on the nails. Pitting, commonly associated with psoriasis and alopecia areata, creates tiny dents due to abnormal keratin production. Disorders like lichen planus and Darier disease can cause nail thinning, scarring, or unique discolorations, while various forms of leukonychia (white nails) may point to trauma, systemic illness, or poor keratinization. Clubbing, marked by a bulbous appearance of the fingertips and curved nails, is a classic sign of chronic lung or heart disease.
Monitoring nail changes can therefore offer crucial early clues to more serious health concerns.
Source: Holzberg, M. (2019). Nail disorders: Clues to systemic disease. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 86(7), 456–463.
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