What can doctors tell by a persons fingernails?
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if you have abused any drugs extensively within the past month or two using the proper tests
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From Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Balch & Balch \n\nThe nails protect the nerve-rich fingertips and tips of the toes from injury. Nails are a substructure of the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) and are composed mainly of keratin, a type of protein. the nail bed is the skin on tip of which the nails grow. Nails grow from .05 to 1.2 millimeters (approximately 1/500 to 1/20 inch) a week. If a nail is lost, it takes about seven months to grow out fully. \n\nHealthy nail beds are pink, indicating a rich blood supply. changes or abnormalities in the nails are often the result of nutritional deficiencies or other underlying conditions. The nails can reveal a great deal about the body's internal health. nail abnormalities on either the fingers or the toes can indication underlying disorder. \n\nThe following are some of the changes that nutritional deficiencies can produce in the nails: \n\nA lack of protein, folic acid, and vitamin C causes hang nails. White bands across the nails are also an indication of protein deficiency. \n\nA lack of vitamin A and calcium causes dryness and brittleness. \n\nA deficiency of the B vitamins causes fragility, with horizontal and vertical ridges. \n\nInsufficient intake of vitamin B12 leads to excessive dryness, very rounded and curved nail ends, and darkened nails. \n\nIron deficiency may result in 'spoon' nails (nails that develop a concave shape) and/or vertical ridges. \n\nZinc deficiency may cause the development of white spots on the nails. \n\nA lack of sufficient 'friendly' bacteria (lactobacilli) in the body can result in the growth of fungus under and around nails. \n\nA lack of sufficient hydrochloric acid (HCI) contributes to splitting nails. \n\nDISORDERS THAT SHOW UP IN THE NAILS \n\nNail changes may signify a number of disorders elsewhere in the body. These changes may indicate illness before any othersymptoms do. Seek medical attention if any of the following symptoms are suspected. \n\nBLACK, SPLINTER LIKE BITS UNDER THE NAILS can be a sign of infectious endocarditis, a serious heart infection; other heart disease; or a bleeding disorder. \n\nBLACK BANDS from the cuticle outward to the end of the nail can be an early sign of melanoma. \n\nBRITTLE, SOFT, SHINY NAILS WITHOUT A MOON may indicate an overactive thyroid. \n\nBRITTLE NAILS signify possible iron deficiency, thyroid problems, impaired kidney function, and circulation problems. \n\nCRUMBLY, WHITE NAILS near the cuticle are sometimes an indication of AIDS. \n\nDAR NAILS AND/OR THIN, FLAT, SPOON-SHAPED NAILS are a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency or anemia. Nails can also turn gray or dark if the hands are placed in chemicals such as cleaning supplies (most often bleach) or a substance to which one is allergic. \n\nDEEP BLUE NAIL BEDS show a pulmonary obstructive disorder such as asthma or emphysema. \n\nDOWNWARD-CURVED nail ends may denote heart, liver, or respiratory problems. \n\nFLAT NAILS can denote Raynaud's disease. \n\nGREENISH NAILS, if not a result of a localized fungal infection, may indicate an internal bacterial infection. \n\nA HALF-WHITE NAIL WITH DARK SPOTS AT THE TIP points to possible kidney disease. \n\nAN ISOLATED DARK-BLUE BAND IN THE NAIL BED, especially in light-skinned people, can be a sign of skin cancer. \n\nLINDSAY'S NAILS (sometimes known as 'half-and-half' nails), nails in which half of the top of the nail is white and the other half is pink, may be a sign of chronic kidney disease. \n\nNAIL BEADING (the development of bumps on the surface of the nail) is a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. \n\nNAILS RAISED AT THE BASE WITH SMALL WHITE ENDS, show a respiratory disorder such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. This type of nails may also simply be inherited. \n\nNAILS SEPARATED FROM THE NAIL BED may signify a thyroid disorder (this condition is known as onyholysis) or a local infection. \n\nNAILS THAT BROADEN TOWARD THE TIP AND CURVE DOWNWARD are a sin
72038
Ask a certified dermatologist.
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Sometimes it's related to nutrition, sometimes to stress (called Beau's lines, I believe), sometimes to external wear such as buffing or filing. \n\nAre your nails healthy looking or are they yellow or green? Lifting in places? These would indicate fungus.\n\nHave you changed your supplements in the past few months? \nPeople sometimes  get a ridge when  start loading on biotin after taking a break (forgetting) for a few months. Have you been buffing them lately? If you are, that would be my first guess unless they're yellow or green.\n\nOTHER CHANGES TO MAKE  HEALTHY NAILS\n\n- drink pure, clean water (6-8 glasses a day)\n- avoid drinking alcohol\n- avoid saturated fats and fried foods they stress the liver\n- eat high fiber diet (brown rice,millet , and legumes are good)\n- make sure to get vitamin A, C, and E - try a good quality multi vit/mineral supplement\n- reduced sugar, candy, etc...\n- avoid caffeine, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, meat, soft drinks\n- reduce dairy products in your diet\n- for healthy nails make sure you are getting enough protein\n- keep nails shorter \n- do not cut your cuticles
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THEY SHOULD ONLY DO THIS IF THEY ARE BRUSED, I.E SMASHED BY A HAMMER BY MISSING THE NAIL. IF THEY JUST TURN THAT COULOR WITH NO SMASHING, SEE A DOCTOR.
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There are vitamins at any pharmacy. They'll say "hair, skin & nails". They have to be in your system at least a month before you notice anything, though. Also, you could try getting a "gel overlay". This is something you can get done in a nail salon. It's a really thin coating that strengthens the nail until you can get your own grown out naturally, and they don't wreck them like acrylic nails.
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Signs and symptoms of anemia are pale color, tiredness, weakness, etc.  It's hard to tell if you are anemic or not, unless it is severe.  You can get a simple blood test to tell if you are anemic or not.  Weird ridges on you fingernails is usually a sign of a fungal infection of the nails, certain anemias or an illness.  If you take vitamins daily, you probably don't have a Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency unless you have a parasite, malabsorptive disorder or auto-immune condition.  Perhaps you have iron deficiency because most vitamins don't provide enough iron... most people get enough if they eat dark leafy vegetable or red meat.  Remember that too iron is toxic, so don't overdose on iron supplements.  Do you have excessive bleeding or periods... this can cause anemia, including stomach ulcers and GI bleeds.
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White spots on the fingernails is not an indication of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, like many believe. A calcium or zinc deficiency causing these white spots is a common old wive's tale. These spots, called leukonychia, are normally a result of nail injury. \n\nAccompanied a sibling to the doctor when this same question was asked.
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It is not per se a symptom of diabetes.  Excessive urination, thrist, intermittently blurred vision, acetone-smelling breath and extreme hunger are more typical signs of diabetes.  \n\nIt is very unusual that your toenails suddenly just came off when exposed soaking in warm water.  Nail fungus can exist in the nail and nail bed, causing the nail to thicken over a series of months and raise.  It does not hurt.  Some women also notice changes in their nails and skin after menopause.  I have seen hormone replacement therapy (a pill daily) help.  It might also be possible to use a topical estrogen cream on the area of concern if you don't tolerate the medication.  A thyroid condition (hypothyroidism) can cause changes in the nails - usually becoming brittle.  Finally very poor circulation in the lower extremity could cause changes in the feet and nail beds...though I would expect more (dramatic!) changes than just in the nails if that were the case.\n\nIn sum, this condition requires a history and physical exam by your doctor for a work-up, a diagnosis, and treatment if warranted.
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what did the doctor tell you?
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This was the closest thing i could find:\n ingrowing toe nails\nonychocryptosis?
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The nail bed is richly vascularized to provide for the nail matrix to grow.  It is also rich in nerve cells to allow for the sense of touch.  When the nail is removed from the nail bed it opens the nerve endings to a variety of stimuli that irritate the nerves causing pain.  Good luck on your test
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most doctors can tell just by looking at the type of rash you have.  But, if they cant they will probably take a blood sample
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Most often that is caused by vitamin deficiency and/or a fungal infection of the nail. I suggest you see your physician. It's a good idea for everyone to take a vitamin daily.
1070265
poss ingrown nail, check with podiatrist.
907508
many health conditions are reflected by nail changes...what you describe sounds like a result of trauma.
138054
Dirty fingernails, bad breath, bad grammar, greasy hair,body odor, excessive body hair