Color of Fingernails and Toenails Health Indicator Chart
Author: Disabled World - Contact Details
Published: 2015/10/11 - Updated: 2022/06/24
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On This Page: Summary - Main Article - About/Author
Synopsis: The nail color of fingernails and toenails can reveal certain severe health conditions. For instance, white nails may be indicative of kidney or liver disorders or anemia. Healthy fingernails and toenails should be white as it grows off the nail bed and the nail plate a pinkish color. Pitted brown spots in fingernails may indicate skin and a joint disorder called psoriasis.
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- Nail (Anatomy)
- In anatomy, a nail is defined as a horn-like envelope covering the tips of the fingers and toes in humans, most non-human primates, and a few other mammals. Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protective protein called alpha-keratin, a polymer. Alpha-keratin is found in the hooves, claws, and horns of vertebrates. The nail functions by protecting the digits and contributing to tactile sensation.
Main Digest
Fingernails and toenails are made of a tough protective protein called keratin. Keratin is one of a family of fibrous structural proteins and is the key structural material making up hair, horns, claws, hooves, and the outer layer of human skin.
Health-care and pre-hospital-care providers (EMTs or paramedics) often use the fingernail beds (CRT or blanch test) as a cursory indicator of distal tissue perfusion of individuals who may be dehydrated or in shock.
Healthy fingernails and toenails should generally be pink - with the healthy nail plate being pink and the nail being white as it grows off the nail bed. Fingernail color and condition changes are rarely the first clues of serious illness. In most instances, patients will manifest other signs or symptoms of disease before nail changes become evident.
Nail colors can generally be grouped into black, blue, brown/copper, green, blue-green, grey, yellow, pale, purple or red groups - each color means something different. Remember that your nails may look a particular way for another reason unrelated to your health but could be due to mechanical or environmental influences. Your beauty therapist and manicurist should also be able to guide you in this field.
When healthy fingernails begin to change color or texture, one of the most common underlying causes is nail fungus, which can cause the nails to crack, peel, and change color and texture. Common disorders like thyroid disease can also cause abnormalities in the toenail and fingernail beds, often producing dry brittle nails that crack and split easily.
Nail Color Health Chart | |
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Jump To Nail Color Condition: | |
Blue nails |
Blue fingernails, also known as azure lunula (medical term - cyanosis), are characterized by a blue discoloration of the lunulae. Blue Fingernails Can be Indicative of:
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Black Nails |
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White/Pale Fingernails |
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White Spots on Nails |
Although it has been noted that white lines can be symptoms of a serious disorder, their presence is more than likely a result of iron or zinc deficiency. |
White Areas Under Nails |
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Grey Nails |
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Green Nails |
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Yellow Nails |
In yellow nail syndrome, nails thicken and new growth slows, resulting in discoloration. Nails affected with this condition may lack a cuticle and may detach from the nail bed in places. |
Purple Nails |
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Red Fingernails |
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Darkening of Nails (on sides) |
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Lines on Nails (red/brown) |
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Brown Spots Under Nails |
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Color Bands |
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Fingernail Ridges, Pitting, Shape |
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