Bare Fingers Help Doctors Nail a Diagnosis

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Why Would Nail Cosmetology Be a Health Issue?

Even though I can't use most of them because the dyes irritate my sensitive cuticle skin, I must admit I love many couture fingernail polish colors and designs. Nothing makes your hands look better groomed or more festive than when your fingertips pop with gorgeous, colorful artistry, glisten with a silken jeweltone, or dazzle with a hint of jeweled bling.

So you may wonder why doctors want to spoil the party by insisting that you forgo the polish when scheduled for a medical exam or surgery. Well, they're actually just doing their job—making sure they can monitor your progress during a procedure. Examining your nails before, during, and after a procedure assists them in doing just that.

When Seconds Count

When you arrive at the emergency room following an accident or injury, doctors are relieved to be able to determine the natural color of your nails. If they have a bluish tinge, for instance, they'll quickly examine your lips and other skin surfaces. That blue color is called cyanosis, indicating an alarming lack of oxygen in the body.

Like any other sudden symptom, it makes sense to seek medical attention if you notice any change in the appearance or texture of your nails.

The Stories Your Nails Can Tell

Here's what a doctor can diagnose by looking at your nails:

1. Anemia: Pale and spoon-shaped nails can signal anemia, a condition in which your body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen. Mine used to look pale when I was diagnosed with a severe case, which has since been successfully treated.
2. Lymphedema or Respiratory Disease: Yellowing of the nails can be a sign of conditions like chronic bronchitis or lymphedema, which also makes your hands look visibly swollen. Here’s a beauty tip: if you use spices like turmeric or curry, they can turn your nails yellow, too, but diluted hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice can help clear them.
3. Lung disease: Clubbing, or the widening and rounding of the nails, can be a sign of a serious condition such as lung cancer or lung fibrosis, where the lung tissue undergoes scarring.
4. Heart disease: Bluish or purple discoloration of the nails can be a sign of a lack of oxygen in the blood or poor circulation, often associated with the development of heart disease.
5. Thyroid problems: Brittle and dry nails can indicate thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism. Here's another beauty tip: frequent use of too much acetone, which is found in nail polish remover, can also be a contributor to weakening the nail.
6. Skin conditions: Changes in the nails, such as thickening, discoloration, or ridging, can point to the existence of skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema.
7. Vitamin and Nutrient Deficiencies: Changes in the nails, such as ridging, splitting, or spoon-shaped nails, can be signs of nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of biotin, iron, zinc, or magnesium.
8. Diabetes Status: Diabetics must maintain great care of their nails, especially their toenails, because this helps doctors examine them for the possibility of infection. However, if diabetics have neuropathy (nerve disease), they are instructed to abandon the pedicure for a medi-spa where a podiatrist or specially trained nurse cares for their feet. Beauty salon visits for these patients should include massages and polish only.

This list of nail symptoms and their causes is far from exhaustive, but it does demonstrate how the appearance of your fingernails often presents more than a cosmetic concern.

Your Awareness Plays a Role

So if you notice any changes, make an appointment with your doctor, but don't panic. Some nail conditions resolve independently or respond well to the right prescription, vitamin, or mineral supplement. But don't guess these on your own.

Don't Let Beauty Parlor Gossip Distract You

While nail artists aren't cheap, they deserve what they get paid for their extraordinary talent. But take heed: the best ones are extremely careful about maintaining hygienic practices to prevent the spread of problems like nail fungus or other skin conditions requiring a dermatologist's intervention.

The tiniest cut can introduce harmful bacteria, and the facility you frequent can cause you great harm if the aestheticians fail to clean and sterilize their instruments and scrub the tubs or bowls you soak your nails in regularly according to established health standards.

Back to Beauty

And let's face it—after the doctor finishes treating a condition signaled by your bare nails, you'll want to return to matching a nail color to that new suit, fancy evening gown, and designer heels as soon as possible. Beautiful hands and feet can make you feel feminine and, yes, polished!

Conclusion

Doctors can diagnose various health problems by examining telltale fingernail symptoms. Make seeking medical attention a priority if you notice anything persistently odd about their natural color, thickness, shape, or surface texture.

It's equally critical that your nail care specialist observes proper hygiene. And once medical conditions are treated and cleared, you can renew that professional manicure/pedicure and safely return to your fashionista status. Or at least you'll feel that way!

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