Your fingernails are a window to your health. Some nail changes are natural. Others can signal health concerns, especially changes in nail colour and growth patterns.
Nails are part of the skin. They are made up of layers of the protein keratin and grow from beneath the base of the nail under the cuticle. As new cells grow, older cells become hard and compacted and are eventually pushed out toward fingertips. Healthy nails are smooth, without ridges, grooves, spots or discoloration.
Usually, people with good nail growth also have good hair growth. It is a sign of good nourishment and health. If your body is healthy, your hair and nails show proper and fast growth.
While there are many nail conditions possibly indicating different health issues, I want to concentrate on the link between hair and nails. Very often, it indicates there is an autoimmune disorder.
Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia can lead to malnutrition, causing damage to hair and nails.
Biotin deficiency may cause problems with hair and nails and therefore cause them to become brittle and weak. There are no known common side effects for biotin supplementation. An adequate daily amount should be somewhere between 30 and 100 micrograms.
Just as your hair might fall out after an illness or a prolonged period of stress, your nails can also exhibit symptoms. Most frequently, stress will cause side-to-side lines to appear on your nails.
Vertical ridges that are accompanied by splitting, according to a Dermatology and Therapy article published in November 2019, can be associated with alopecia.
When you are experiencing any hair problems, it is wise to avoid having your nails done, both manicure and pedicure. Strong chemicals in nail products can make your hair condition worse.
