Diagnostic Chart - Fingernail Condition

LINK - Use this diagnostic chart to look at and understand the condition of your nails:

NAIL PLATE LOOSE

Injury; nail psoriasis; fungal or bacterial infections; medicines; chemotherapy; thyroid disease; Raynaud’s phenomenon; lupus

WASTING AWAY OF NAILS; NAIL LOSES LUSTER AND BECOMES SMALLER

Injury or disease

THICKENED NAIL PLATE

Poor circulation; fungal infection; heredity; mild, persistent trauma to the nail

PITTED NAILS SOMETIMES WITH YELLOW-TO-BROWN “OIL�?SPOTS

Eczema or psoriasis; hair loss condition

VERY SOFT NAILS

Contact with strong alkali; malnutrition; endocrine problems; chronic arthritis

SPOON-SHAPED NAILS

Iron deficiency; thyroid disease

CLUBLIKE NAILS GROWING AROUND SWOLLEN FINGER ENDS

Chronic respiratory or heart problems; cirrhosis of the liver

HORIZONTAL RIDGES

Injury; infection; nutrition

LONGITUDINAL RIDGES

Aging, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals; thyroid disease; kidney failure

BRITTLE, SPLIT NAILS

Nail dryness; nails in contact with irritating substances (detergents, chemicals, polish remover); silica deficiency

INFECTED NAILS: RED, TENDER, SWOLLEN, PUS

Bacterial or yeast infection

OVERLARGE MOONS

Overactive thyroid; genetics; self-induced trauma (habit tick)

NO MOONS

Underactive thyroid; genetics

DISCOLORED FINGERNAILS

Colourless: May indicate anemia

Red or deep pink: Can indicate a tendency to poor peripheral circulation

Blue: Blood may not be receiving adequate oxygen due to respiratory disorders, cardiovascular problems, or lupus erythermatosus.

Yellow: Could indicate fungus, diabetes, psoriasis, use of tetracycline, or heredity.

White, crumbly, soft: May be a result of a fungus infection

Half white/half pink: May indicate fungal infection or, more seriously, kidney disease

Small white patches: Usually a sign of injury to the nail matrix

Purple or black: Usually due to trauma, or may also be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. A brown or black streak that begins at the base of the nail and extends to its tip could be a diagnostic clue to a potentially dangerous melanoma. See your healthcare provider.