If You lot Notice This on Your Fingernails, Get a Blood Test

These marks may signal ane of several autoimmune conditions.

Did you know that your fingernails are equanimous of dead pare cells? While that might sound gross, it'southward really aught to be nice about: Your blast beds simply push one-time cells out to make mode for new, good for you cells. What's more, your fingernails tin can provide of import insights into your health. In particular, i symptom you may notice on your nails could signal ane of several autoimmune conditions. If you discover information technology, you may want to consider getting a blood examination to identify the underlying cause. Read on to find out what to expect out for, and how to care for your nails after treating the root trouble.

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Pitted fingermails
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If you notice dents, holes, or depressions in your fingernails, this is a sign of pitted nails—one of seven "fingernail problems not to ignore," flagged by the Mayo Clinic. Their experts note that nail pitting is oft caused past autoimmune disorders. These commonly include psoriasis, inflammatory arthritis, and connective tissue disorders such as Reiter's syndrome and alopecia areata.

Experts say boom pitting is especially common in cases of psoriatic arthritis. In fact, according to the informational site Creaky Joints, well-nigh 90 percent of people with this condition experience such changes in the nails. "Both fingernails and toenails can exist afflicted, and it tin affect one blast or all 20 nails," Mona Gohara, Doctor, acquaintance clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, told the site.

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young woman with curly hair looks at her fingernails with a concerned expression on her face
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According to Very Well Health, you lot may notice several other nail-related symptoms if you experience pitted nails. These can include nail discoloration which tin appear in a shade of white, yellowish, or brown, nails that crumble, nails that carve up from the nail bed, blood underneath the nails, changes in the nail'south shape or deformation of the smash.

If your dr. is unable to diagnose your condition based on the presence of i or more than of these symptoms, they may opt for a skin biopsy, which can help identify an infection or abnormality. Given the broad range of possible autoimmune weather related to this particular symptom, it'southward important to mention your full range of symptoms, even if they seem unrelated. In improver to nail changes, these may include hair loss, skin changes, joint hurting, and more.

Half-and-half nails fingernail health
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The connection between your fingernails and an autoimmune status may not seem immediately clear, but experts say blast pitting occurs as a result of inflammation. Specifically, this takes identify in the nail matrix, the role of your fingernails and toenails that generates growth and pushes out the dead cells that go your nails.

Over time, the marks on your nails may actually serve as a record of your status'due south progress. If the depressions on your nails are followed by a stretch of polish, salubrious nail, it may hateful that your inflammation has ceased for some length of time.

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Unrecognizable woman looking at her nails, while removing her nail polish.
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The most important thing to remember near nail pitting is that it's not simply a cosmetic effect, just a potential sign of a deeper problem. As such, you should always piece of work with your doctor to accost the underlying crusade before focusing on artful improvements.

Experts say there are several ways to improve the look of your nails over time, and most advise going "au natural" as i of the best methods. This means keeping your fingernails brusque and clean and avoiding manicures, which can be traumatic for your recovering nails. Resist biting or picking at your nails, both of which tin cause infection, and avoid cut or pushing back your cuticles. Wear protective gloves during gardening, dishwashing, or any other activity that could damage your nails or betrayal them to harsh substances.

While other interventions may help to varying degrees—phototherapy or sure supplements, for case—your md may only recommend treating the underlying cause and waiting for healthier nail regrowth. If the underlying condition causes flareups, you may feel pitting and salubrious growth intermittently.

Your doctor can help you place the underlying crusade for your pitted nails, and discuss the full range of possible interventions.

RELATED: If You Come across This on Your Nails, It Could Be a Tell-Tale Sign of Diabetes.

Lauren Gray

Lauren Greyness is a New York-based writer, editor, and consultant. Read more