Nail Files: What Your Nails Are Telling You
Polished, shellacked, gelled or sparkled–many of us rarely see our nails in the nude. But what happens when the paint comes off? Do your nails hold up in the buff? Well ladies, it's time to strip down and find out. This month I encourage all of you to take a quick polish vacation for the sake of your health. Believe it or not, your nails can reveal important things about your overall wellbeing. Who knew?
Your nails (and cuticles for that matter) are indicative of a wide range of ailments including stress, anxiety, nutritional deficiencies, infection and even disease. Once the polish comes off, take note of what lies beneath. A healthy nail bed is "smooth without ridges and grooves" with a light pink underlying flesh tone that's "free of spots or discoloration" (Share Care). So whether it's a white spot, a yellowish tinge or excessive chipping and peeling–all imperfections should be investigated. Below is a quick list to help you decipher what your nails are telling you...
Yellowish. Most of the time, yellow nails are simply the result of wearing dark nail polish for long periods of time without a proper base coat. Typically, a few days sans polish will do the trick in removing the yellowish tinge. However, if the yellow tone sticks around for longer than a week or so (and/or your nails are reddish, tender or swelling), you may have a fungal infection and should consult a doctor.
Peeling. According to WebMD, your nail plates are "made up of several layers of keratin," which are sealed together. When hands are routinely exposed to water or even cold, dry air, the top layers of your nails can "delaminate " and therefore peel. Usually, polish will help seal the layers together. Using a good hand lotion also helps. However, excessive peeling may mean your diet is lacking in a nutrient called linoleic acid. Amp up your linoleic acid intake by incorporating more vegetable oils into your diet such as olive oil, sesame oil or even peanut oil.
Brittleness. Did you know that 20 percent of women suffer from a condition called "brittle nail syndrome" (I never even knew this was a real "condition" until I started researching brittleness for this blog. Oh the things you learn on WebMD...) Usually, an iron deficiency is related to this condition so try eating more dark leafy green veggies and eggs. Biotin can also help (plus I've heard it's good for your hair). More often than not, brittle nails are the result of excessive exposure to–you guessed it–water! If hand lotion and diet changes fail to improve this condition for you, you should see a medical professional.
Ridges. Surprisingly, ridges are not usually something to be alarmed about. As you age, ridges will grow more prominent. However, in some cases ridges may be a manifestation of extreme stress so take heed (and maybe enlist yourself in a yoga class).
Bluish. If your nail beds are bluish, it probably means you are not getting enough oxygen. Definitely see a doctor if you are experiencing this.
Lastly, if you notice anything particularly strange with your nails (dark lines, white or concave nail plates, inflammation or puffiness), please see a medical professional. I've only just scratched the surface (pun intended) in the list above...
In most cases, a healthy balanced diet and good personal hygiene will ensure healthy nails and a healthy you. So eat your veggies, take your vitamins, make sure you are getting all your minerals and don't forget to take a quickie polish vacay to make sure you and your nails are doing okay.
Will you join me in a quickie polish vacation?
XO Lauren
Sources: MSN Health, Medicine Net, WebMD, Inspirationail
70 comments
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Good to know. I just bought a foundation to help keep my nails pretty too!
www.thefashionpalate.com -
Thanks Lauren for this post. It's just what I needed. I've been having some problems with my nails for a while now. They keep peeling off. When I've got nail polish on them, they seem fine, but when it comes off my nails start to peel off. I will look for a better hand and nail creme and I'll try improving my diet. Thanks for the help -
my nails went bright yellow after wearing bright coral nail varnish for a few day :( i had to grow my nails out for a few weeks and keep filing them until it eventually left!
adennison03.blogspot.co.uk/
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Ridges - as I learned last year - may also indicate a Protein defficiency, & white streaks\dots\marks are said to indicate a Calcium defficiency... I think it's awesome how our bodies give us subtle external signs as to what's going on inside...
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My nails are telling me, please take care of me, and please use once in a while some nail polish!!!... I own them a good treatment, thanks for the tips!
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Taking care of your nails is super important! These tips are great, especially for a nail polish junky like me.
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My nails peel alot ,i guess wearing nail polish is good for them :)
please could you watch my youtube channel? http://www.youtube.com/user/VickyBabbbess?feature=mhee -
I was diagnosed with melanoma in my nail bed in April of this year. It is so so so important to keep an eye on your nails and check for the symptoms. For me, it was a straight black line down my nail as well as the nail lifting from my nail bed. I had NO idea skin cancer was possible in finger and toe nails!
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My nails are still healthy :) I rarely get them polished, only when I'm attending formal occasions and the like :) but I miss seeing colors on my nails, will probably have my nails done one of these days :)
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Cherry, may I suggest that you do some research as to the ingredients in the Vaseline Stuff?
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I'm on a permanent nail polish vacation. I wish I could keep my nails painted, but it always chips. :( But, I do try everyonceinawhile to paint my nails to feel girly! :)
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I had no idea!!!!!!!!!! I am not so worried though since I have my nails done only once or twice a month...
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Loved seeing this article!! However, poor nails can really be a serious issue. Splitting, peeling, colors, moons or no moons... all can show what's going inside the body ( just like the face). Weak, thin, thick, ridged, discolored and slow growing nails indicate kidney stress.
Each fingernail is a story about our organs and systems.
Every nail should have a white half moon at the back of the nail except the pinkie. read more on my blog! http://januarysunshine.blogspot.com/2010/12/roger-bezanis-fingernail-health.html -
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Mine have suddenly got loads of ridges (I've never had this before!) and I've been under alot of stress recently! That makes so much sense!
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Great post, Lauren! Think I'll follow up on that, my nails certainly need a break... Could you maybe do a post about basic nail care too? I need some tips about base coats, lotions, oils, nail polish removers etc. Or maybe someone out there has a great base coat to recommend?:-)
Linn
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I have flaking/brittle nails and ridges which are caused by my Raynauds Disease. It isn't often my nails are naked b/c like your blog states it keeps the layers of the nail from flaking off! :)
Thaks for the post!
Ashlie -
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