Although women are constantly trying to make their nails look good, they only care about the looks and not about the actual health of the nails. Lisa Petty, a popular writer and author of Living Beauty (Fitzhenry and Whiteside) 2005, says that when the body is not treated well, the nails are the one that suffers the most.
She says that the nails are actually a mirror to the health problems in our body.
It is enough to just take a look at one’s nails, and detect the health problem that this person is suffering from. For example, brittle, yellow or ridged nails often indicate nutritional deficiencies and health problems such as anemia or thyroid disease.
Nails should be translucent and reflect the pink color of the blood flowing through the veins beneath it. They are smooth and pretty strong. If their looks change, it means that you should make certain changes in your lifestyle to improve their health, as well as your overall health.
7 most common nail conditions and how to treat them:
White spots
White spots appear on the nails because of zinc deficiency in the body. Eat more pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, peas and red meat.
Soft nails with curl upward
These types of nails are a result of iron deficiency. You need to take 325mg of iron sulfate 3 times a day.
Yellow nails
Yellow nails are a result of vitamin E deficiency. Eat more sweet potatoes, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts and wheat germ oil as natural sources of vitamin E or add vitamin E supplements in your diet.
Slit or brittle nails
These types of nails are a result of vitamin B deficiency, as well as lack of moisture in the body. Take calcium supplements, gelatine and colloid minerals. It is not recommended for pregnant women.
Vertical ridges
Vertical ridges may appear as a result of malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiency. Polish your nails 2 to 3 times a day with almond oil or chamois butter.
Horizontal dents or ridges
Horizontal dents or ridges can appear as a result of malnutrition, high fever, psoriasis or trauma after surgery. Take protein and vitamin A supplements to deal with this nail condition.
Fungus
If your nails look greenish, yellow or messy, it means that you have a fungus infection. It is more common if your nails are frequently exposed to dampness and warmth. Soak your nails in tea tree oil to get rid of the infection.
When should you be concerned?
Sometimes the condition is more serious than you think. Look for a medical help in the following cases:
* Blue nail beds indicate issues in blood flow
* Fragile nails indicate hypo- or hyperthyroidism
* Upward-bending nails lead to thyroid infection
* Yellow nails represent the chronic bronchitis
* White nail beds indicate liver infection
* Red nail beds lead to coronary illness
