The shape and colour of the nail, in addition to other factors, can indicate a deteriorating health condition that may require a consultation with a general practitioner.
Pale nails, for example, could indicate anemia, nutritional deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning, experts say. White nails could be a sign of liver problems, while yellow nails could indicate a fungal infection.
Blue nails may indicate a lack of oxygen in the body, while wavy nails are an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Swollen nail folds may be caused by allergens or fungi, and dark lines under the nail may be associated with skin cancer or infection.
Health experts have revealed that a certain nail shape, known as clubbing (increased thickness of the skin under the fingernails or toenails), can be caused by heart and lung diseases.
Nail clubbing often occurs gradually and may be difficult to detect at first.
Clubbing can be caused by the presence of large cells, called megakaryocytes, in the small blood vessels of the fingertips.