8 months ago
Doctor Highlights 5 Nail Changes Indicating Potential Health Issues
A doctor named Dr. Kunal Sood talked about five changes in your nails that might mean something is wrong with your health.
For example, if your fingertips get rounder and your nails curve, it could be because of lung or heart problems.
If your nails look thin and bendy, you might not have enough iron.
Red lines under your nails could mean something serious is happening inside your body.
Swollen fingers might mean you have arthritis.
And little pits in your nails could mean you have a skin condition called psoriasis.
Another doctor, Dr. Reddy, said that if your nails change a lot and it doesn't go away, you should see a doctor.
Nails can tell us early if there's a problem, so it's important to pay attention to them.
Clubbing of fingertips and curved nails may indicate chronic lung disease or heart conditions.
Koilonychia, or thin concave nails, often signals iron deficiency.
Splinter haemorrhages, red-brown lines under nails, can warn of systemic conditions like vasculitis or lupus.
Swollen finger joints may point to osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.
Nail pitting is an early sign of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Who
- Dr. Kunal Sood, an anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician.
- What
- Highlighted five subtle nail changes that could indicate underlying health issues.
- Where
- Information shared on social media and discussed by medical professionals.
- When
- Recently shared on Instagram.
- Why
- To raise awareness about early signs of potential health problems.
Key facts
- Clubbing
- Rounded fingertips with curved nails, linked to chronic lung disease and heart conditions.
- Koilonychia
- Thin, concave nails due to iron deficiency.
- Splinter Haemorrhages
- Red-brown lines under the nails, possibly indicating systemic conditions.
- Swollen Finger Joints
- May indicate osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis.
- Nail Pitting
- Small pits in nails, often an early sign of psoriasis.
Quotes
Dr. Kunal Sood
Anaesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine physician
“It occurs when megakaryocytes bypass the lungs and release growth factors like VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) at the fingertips. It is linked to chronic lung disease (lung cancer, bronchiectasis, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis) and heart conditions with long-term low oxygen, such as cyanotic congenital heart disease or endocarditis.”
indianexpress.com
“Koilonychia creates thin, concave nails due to impaired keratin formation when iron-dependent enzymes weaken. It often reflects iron deficiency due to blood loss, heavy periods, low intake, malabsorption, or increased need during pregnancy. These nail changes can precede other symptoms for months.”
indianexpress.com
Dr. Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy
Consultant physician in general medicine
“Nails go through minor texture and colour variations throughout life, many of which are completely benign. The concern arises when changes are persistent, progressive, or appear without any clear trigger, such as injury or frequent salon treatments. A harmless variation usually resolves on its own within a few weeks and does not affect the shape of the nail bed or surrounding skin.”
indianexpress.com
“These changes provide important early clues because many of the underlying diseases may remain silent until they are advanced.”
indianexpress.com