Grooves across the fingernails (Beau’s lines) Pitting or small dents on your nails can indicate psoriasis, eczema, reactive arthritis, and alopecia areata (hair loss due to autoimmune disease).ħ. When your finger nails curve inwards and look scooped out, it may indicate iron-deficiency (anemia), hemachromatosis (liver condition which results in iron overlaod), Raynaud’s disease (that affects the blood supply to the fingers and toes), heart disease and hypothyroidism. When the fingernails become loose and can separate from the nail bed, it may indicate an injury or infection, as well as thyroid disease, psoriasis, poor circulation or allergic reaction to medicine. Yellowish, thickened, slow-growing nails can also indicate lung diseases. There are a few reasons for having thick nails but they are commonly caused a fungal nail infection, but can also result from psoriasis and reactive arthritis (a painful form of inflammatory arthritis). White nails – might be a sign of aging, fungal nail infection or iron deficiency (anemia), as well as other range of ailments, such as: cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), kidney or heart failure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition or after chemotherapy. Fingernails that are half white at the bottom and half brown near the tips can be a sign of kidney failure, AIDS or appear after chemotherapy. Grey nails – can be caused by certain medications.īrown nails – can indicate a thyroid disease or malnutrition.

Green-black nails – indicate bacterial infection that usually occurs under loose nails.īluish or purple fingernail beds may indicate oxygen deprivation.

For more information, read my article about the most common causes of yellow nails. It can also indicate several other ailments, such as: jaundice due to liver problem (also see my other post about early signs of liver damage), sinus infection, a problem with the thyroid gland, lung infection and lymphedema (fluid retention that generally occurs in arms or legs).

Yellow nails can occur due to a long use of nail varnish, but can indicate fungal nail infection or psoriasis.

Fall purple nails