Nail changes and health

Changes in nail color and texture can signal nutritional gaps and underlying health issues.

Nail changes reveal hidden health clues

Health experts say changes in nail color and texture can signal nutritional gaps or underlying issues. Dr Miriam Mikicki, a GP and functional medicine practitioner, notes that pale nails may point to anaemia, iron deficiency, heart failure, or liver disease. If nails stay pale and you also feel tired, dizzy, or short of breath, a visit to your GP is advised, and a blood test may check for anaemia or liver and kidney function.

Other signs include nails that are mostly white with darker edges, sometimes called Terry's nails, which can accompany liver disease, kidney failure, diabetes or heart conditions. Yellow nails often come from fungal infections but may also hint at chronic respiratory problems, lymphoedema, or diabetes. Bluish nails indicate cyanosis and require urgent evaluation if symptoms are present, while cracked nails can result from environmental damage or nutritional deficiencies such as iron, biotin or zinc. When several nails are affected or symptoms accompany nail changes, a clinician should investigate further.

These signs offer a chance for early conversation with a health professional. Nail changes are accessible cues that people can notice at home, prompting preventive checks before problems grow. The challenge lies in avoiding overdiagnosis or unnecessary anxiety; nails alone rarely confirm a problem, but they can point to a testing path.

At a broader level, the piece reflects how everyday biology intersects with healthcare access. For some, nail changes may trigger timely care; for others, barriers to GP visits or lab tests could delay diagnosis. The message is clear: use these cues to guide conversations with clinicians, not to replace medical advice.

Highlights

Careful observation of small signs can guide timely care.