Most often,
Spoon nails often are a symptom of iron deficiency anemia. Or they may be due to a liver problem called hemochromatosis. In people who have that condition, the body absorbs too much iron from food.
Koilonychia is a nail abnormality characterized by thin, brittle, and spoon‐shaped nails. It is frequently observed in chronic iron deficiency secondary to malnutrition, chronic blood loss, or malabsorption.
What do fingernails look like with anemia? If a person has anemia, their nails may be pale or spoon-shaped.
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.
"White/yellow/greenish discolouration and thickening at the end of the nail spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which may be thick and brittle," said Practical Diabetes. It added: "The distorted nail can become sharp or break off, and can dig into neighbouring toes."
Koilonychia is when your nails have an indented shape, like a spoon. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency. You're also more likely to have spoon nails if you have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus, or poor blood flow to your hands or feet.
- A deficiency in B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, will produce ridges along the nail bed. - A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails. - A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails. - Insufficient dietary essential oils, like omega-3, cause cracking.
Pale Nails
White nails, also known as leukonychia, describes fingernails that are partially or completely white in color. The white color could be the result of several things such as trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning.
Very pale nails
Healthy nails are generally pink. Very pale nails may indicate illnesses, such as anemia, congestive heart failure or liver disease.
Eye symptoms of low iron can include a pale coloring of the inside of the lower eyelids. In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red. Rather than low iron, one common cause of blurry vision is dry eye.
You may notice pale skin and cold hands and feet. Iron-deficiency anemia can also cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Occasionally, it can cause chest pain, a fast heartbeat and shortness of breath. Iron deficiency can cause you to have unusual cravings for non-food items such as ice, dirt or paper.
Whether or not a nail bed can grow back after being damaged depends on the extent of the damage. If only the top layer of the nail bed is damaged, it is likely that it will grow back on its own. However, if the damage is more severe, such as a complete loss of the nail bed, surgery may be necessary to repair it.
Here are the key vitamins you should be including in your diet, or taking as a supplement, to strengthen your fingernails: Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 aids iron absorption, which is a key mineral in maintaining nail health overall – try adding more poultry, dairy and fish to your diet for a Vitamin B12 boost.
Picking, biting, and rubbing nails over a long period of time could result in spoon nails. Another cause is related to diet. Often associated with anemia, spoon nails function as an early warning sign that the body is lacking essential nutrients.
Vitamin D ensures healthy nails and reduces the risk of nail peeling and chipping, which can often be caused by nutritional deficiencies.
One of the most common nutrient deficiencies to show up in nails is a zinc deficiency. More prevalent in school-age children, this deficiency can present as scattered white spots. Usually, people can take a zinc supplement for a short amount of time to clear up these white marks.
Zinc deficiency can cause Beau's lines and white spots on your nails. Iron deficiency can cause vertical nail ridges and koilonychia (spoon nails). Spoon nails have a depression in the middle, like the center of your nail was scooped out.
The spoon shape abnormality observed in severe chronic iron deficiency anemia is usually reversible with replenishment of iron stores through food sources containing high iron content or medical management by taking iron supplements.
Nail changes.
People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails. White bands running across one or more nails (Muehrcke's nails)
For example, calcium depletion in the bones can weaken them and increase the risk of fractures and other injuries. Talk with a doctor about steps to improve nail strength if home remedies are not working. Brittle, weak, or slow-growing nails may indicate a calcium deficiency.
Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging.
Many nail findings are seen in scleroderma. Examination of the proximal nail fold reveals capillary enlargement and loss of some capillaries in most scleroderma patients. Other common nail changes include the following: Trachyonychia (roughness; "sandpaper nails") Scleronychia (hardened, inelastic, opaque)
COVID nails/Beau's lines can look like ridges, grooves, or indentations, according to Dr. Day. The lines go away on their own as nails continue to grow out, per the August 2021 paper.