Haims: Understanding what your nails are telling you

The cause of your nails changing texture or shape may not always be a cause for concern. Fingernails and toenails often change with age. However, changes may also indicate severe conditions you shouldn’t ignore.

Often, fingers and toenails become dull, opaque or pale, and the color may shift from translucent to white, yellow or even shades of brown as people age. Most often, this is not a concern. As we age, off-color nails may be due to minor things like nail polish, minor injury, dryness or even soap/detergent, and often resolve with basic care. Changes in nail color can become concerning if they’re sudden, persistent, painful or accompanied by swelling or redness, which may indicate potential health concerns.

Healthy nails are typically pink with white tips near the nail bed, so when nails suddenly become pale, white, blue, yellow or green-black, you may consider speaking to a dermatologist or primary care provider.

• Pale nails may be an indication of poor circulation or nutrition, anemia or even liver or kidney disease.
• White nails are not inherently unhealthy and can result from minor issues like trauma. Mild white spots or streaks can often be caused by minor injuries to the nail bed, while a more widespread whitening or specific patterns could point to other concerns, which should be addressed.
• Blue colored nails can stem from cold temperatures or certain medications and may be anticipated under certain circumstances. However, they may also indicate an underlying issue like lack of oxygen in the blood, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pneumonia or heart concerns.
• Yellow nails may be caused by nail fungus, nail polish staining or smoking. But yellow nails can also point to more serious underlying conditions like thyroid problems, jaundice, diabetes, liver disease or lung infections like bronchiectasis.
• Green-black nails may indicate a common bacterial or fungal infection. Frequently, such discolorations are noticed as a vertical line in one or more nails. While the discoloration may be from something as innocuous as a bruise, if the streak is new, growing, has irregular borders, or affects only one nail (especially at the base), you may want to see a medical provider.

Your nails are more than a cosmetic feature — they can offer helpful clues about your overall health. By paying attention to changes in color, texture or growth, you can often spot early signs of issues and address them before they become more serious. Sometimes, noticing the small things can make a big difference.

Judson Haims is the owner of Visiting Angels Home Care in Eagle County. He is an advocate for our elderly and is available to answer questions. Connect with him at jhaims@visitingangels.com.