FINGERNAILS AND FINGERNAILS AND WHAT THEY REVEALWHAT THEY REVEAL

By Gabrielle TraubBy Gabrielle Traub

Homeopathy 4 Everyone – January 2007Homeopathy 4 Everyone – January 2007

Lines and indentations:Lines and indentations:

RidgesRidges can signify a possible infection such as can signify a possible infection such as the flu. the flu.

Beau's linesBeau's lines — Transverse depressions. — Transverse depressions. Occurs when growth at the nail root (matrix) is Occurs when growth at the nail root (matrix) is interrupted by any severe acute illness e.g. heart interrupted by any severe acute illness e.g. heart attack, measles, pneumonia, or fever. These attack, measles, pneumonia, or fever. These lines emerge from under the nail folds weeks lines emerge from under the nail folds weeks later, and allow us to estimate when the patient later, and allow us to estimate when the patient was sick.was sick.

NAILS; corrugated; transversely: ars., med.NAILS; corrugated; transversely: ars., med.

Mee's linesMee's lines

Transverse white lines that run across the Transverse white lines that run across the nail, following the shape of the nail moon. nail, following the shape of the nail moon. Uncommon. Causality: after acute/severe Uncommon. Causality: after acute/severe illness, Arsenic poisoning. illness, Arsenic poisoning.

Thus homeopathic remedy= Thus homeopathic remedy= Ars albArs alb

Vertical ridgesVertical ridges

  (Lengthwise grooves or ridges) - may indicate a (Lengthwise grooves or ridges) - may indicate a kidney disorder (kidney failure); associated with kidney disorder (kidney failure); associated with ageing; iron deficiency (Anemia). May indicate a ageing; iron deficiency (Anemia). May indicate a tendency to develop arthritistendency to develop arthritis

NAILS; roughness fingernails; ridges, NAILS; roughness fingernails; ridges, longitudinal: longitudinal: fl-ac.fl-ac.

NAILS; roughness fingernails; ribbed: NAILS; roughness fingernails; ribbed: thuj.thuj.

NAILS; corrugated: ars., calc., calc-f., fl-ac., NAILS; corrugated: ars., calc., calc-f., fl-ac., med., ph-ac., sabad., sel., Sil., thuj.med., ph-ac., sabad., sel., Sil., thuj.

Nail shapeNail shape

Clubbing of the fingersClubbing of the fingers — — fingertips widen and fingertips widen and become round. Nails curve around your become round. Nails curve around your fingertips, more convex. Proximal nail fold feels fingertips, more convex. Proximal nail fold feels spongy. Caused by enlargement in connective spongy. Caused by enlargement in connective tissue as compensation for a chronic lack of tissue as compensation for a chronic lack of oxygen. e.g. severe emphysema Lung disease oxygen. e.g. severe emphysema Lung disease is present in 80 percent of people who have is present in 80 percent of people who have clubbed fingers. It may also appear in chronic clubbed fingers. It may also appear in chronic infections especially abscesses, lung cancer, infections especially abscesses, lung cancer, chronic lung (chronic bronchitis, emphysema) chronic lung (chronic bronchitis, emphysema) and heart disease, longstanding TB, congenital and heart disease, longstanding TB, congenital heart disease, cyanotic, primary biliary cirrhosis.heart disease, cyanotic, primary biliary cirrhosis. med., nit-ac., tubmed., nit-ac., tub..curved fingernails; consumption, in: med., tub.curved fingernails; consumption, in: med., tub.

PittingPitting

Small pits or depressions. Most common nail Small pits or depressions. Most common nail problem seen in 25 percent to 50 percent of problem seen in 25 percent to 50 percent of people with psoriasis.people with psoriasis.

Extremities; NAILS; holes in: Extremities; NAILS; holes in: ars.ars. PsoriasisPsoriasis- pitting, onycholysis, thickening, - pitting, onycholysis, thickening,

circumscribed yellowish tan discoloration “oil circumscribed yellowish tan discoloration “oil spot” lesion.spot” lesion.

Spoon nailsSpoon nails

►Soft nails that look scooped out. Soft nails that look scooped out. Depression is usually large enough to Depression is usually large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often indicates hold a drop of liquid. Often indicates iron deficiency anemia. iron deficiency anemia.

►Extremities; NAILS; complaints of; Extremities; NAILS; complaints of; depressed: depressed: med.med.

OnycholysisOnycholysis

Lifting of the nail from the nail bed. Lifting of the nail from the nail bed. Causes: trauma, psoriasis, drug Causes: trauma, psoriasis, drug reactions, bacterial/fungal infection, reactions, bacterial/fungal infection, contact dermatitis from using nail contact dermatitis from using nail hardeners, thyroid disease, iron hardeners, thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia or syphilis.deficiency anemia or syphilis.

Looseness fingernailsLooseness fingernails: apis., med., : apis., med., pyrog., ust.pyrog., ust.

Nail growthNail growth Nail hypertrophyNail hypertrophy Thickening of the nail. Either congenital (e.g. Mal de Thickening of the nail. Either congenital (e.g. Mal de

Meleda) or acquired - The nail becomes deformed Meleda) or acquired - The nail becomes deformed with claw like appearance. Causes: Not cutting the with claw like appearance. Causes: Not cutting the nails, trauma, Leprosy, peripheral vascular nails, trauma, Leprosy, peripheral vascular disorders.disorders.

NAILS; hypertrophy: NAILS; hypertrophy: calc-f., fl-ac., graph., laur.calc-f., fl-ac., graph., laur. NAILS; thick:NAILS; thick: alum., anan., alum., anan., ant-cant-c., ars., but-ac., ., ars., but-ac.,

calc., calc-f., calo., calc., calc-f., calo., caustcaust., falco-p., ferr., fl-ac., ., falco-p., ferr., fl-ac., Graph.,Graph., merc., pitu-a., pop-c., sabad., sec., sep., merc., pitu-a., pop-c., sabad., sec., sep., SilSil., sulph.,., sulph., ust ust., x-ray., x-ray

Nail atrophy:Nail atrophy:

• The nail becomes thin, rudimentary and smaller size congenital or acquired. Causes: Lichen planus, Epidermolysis bullosa, Darrier‘s disease, vascular disturbances, Leprosy.

• NAILS; atrophic: sil.

• NAILS; grow, do not: ant-c., pitu-a., rad-br., sil.

Nail Patella SyndromeNail Patella Syndrome

• a rare genetic disorder, occurs in 2.2 out of every 100,000 people

• Causes abnormalities in the bones and nails• autosomal dominant • Carried by the ABO blood group• Nails present as small and concave,

longitudinally grooved, abnormally split, pitted, softened, discolored, or brittle.

• Remedies: Thuya, Graphites, Calc-flour, Syph. • H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; grow, nails,

do not: ant-c., calc., sil.

DiscolorationDiscoloration

Half-and-Half (Lindsay's nails)Half-and-Half (Lindsay's nails) — — Look for an arc of brownish Look for an arc of brownish discoloration. May occur in a small discoloration. May occur in a small percentage of people who have percentage of people who have kidney failure. Internal diseases and kidney failure. Internal diseases and nutritional deficits can cause nutritional deficits can cause changes in the appearance of the changes in the appearance of the nails. nails.

Terry's nailsTerry's nails

The nail looks opaque and white, but The nail looks opaque and white, but the nail tip has a dark pink to brown the nail tip has a dark pink to brown band. May accompany cirrhosis, band. May accompany cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, adult-onset congestive heart failure, adult-onset diabetes, cancer or ageing. diabetes, cancer or ageing.

CyanosisCyanosis A bluish discoloration visible at the nail bases in A bluish discoloration visible at the nail bases in

select patient with severe hypoxemia or select patient with severe hypoxemia or hypoperfusion. As with clubbing, it is not at all hypoperfusion. As with clubbing, it is not at all sensitive for either of these conditions. sensitive for either of these conditions.

H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; discoloration, H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; discoloration, nails; blueness (59) : acon., aesc., agar., apis, apoc., nails; blueness (59) : acon., aesc., agar., apis, apoc., arg-n., arn., ars., asaf., aur., cact., camph., carbn-s., arg-n., arn., ars., asaf., aur., cact., camph., carbn-s., carb-v., chel., chin., chin-ar., chin-s., chlf., cic., cocc., carb-v., chel., chin., chin-ar., chin-s., chlf., cic., cocc., colch., con., cupr., dig., dros., eup-pur., ferr., ferr-ar., colch., con., cupr., dig., dros., eup-pur., ferr., ferr-ar., ferr-p., gels., gins., graph., ip., manc., merc., merc-ferr-p., gels., gins., graph., ip., manc., merc., merc-s., mez., mur-ac., nat-m., nit-ac., Nux-v., op., ox-ac., s., mez., mur-ac., nat-m., nit-ac., Nux-v., op., ox-ac., petr., ph-ac., phos., plb., rhus-t., sang., sars., sep., petr., ph-ac., phos., plb., rhus-t., sang., sars., sep., sil., sulph., sumb., tarent., thuj., Verat., verat-v.sil., sulph., sumb., tarent., thuj., Verat., verat-v.

Paronychia (felon)Paronychia (felon)

Inflammation of the nail folds, which appear red, Inflammation of the nail folds, which appear red, swollen and tender. The cuticle may not be visible. swollen and tender. The cuticle may not be visible. Causes: fungal infection, secondary bacterial Causes: fungal infection, secondary bacterial infection, people who’s hands are often in water are infection, people who’s hands are often in water are more susceptible. more susceptible.

H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; panaritium, nails H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; panaritium, nails (53) : all-c., alum., Am-c., am-m., anac., Anthr., Apis, (53) : all-c., alum., Am-c., am-m., anac., Anthr., Apis, arn., asaf., bar-c., benz-ac., berb., bov., bufo, calc., arn., asaf., bar-c., benz-ac., berb., bov., bufo, calc., caust., chin., cist., con., cur., Dios., eug., ferr., Fl-ac., caust., chin., cist., con., cur., Dios., eug., ferr., Fl-ac., gins., Hep., hyper., iod., iris, kali-c., kalm., lach., led., gins., Hep., hyper., iod., iris, kali-c., kalm., lach., led., lyc., merc., Myris., nat-c., nat-h., nat-m., nat-s., Nit-lyc., merc., Myris., nat-c., nat-h., nat-m., nat-s., Nit-ac., par., petr., phyt., plb., puls., rhus-t., sang., sep., ac., par., petr., phyt., plb., puls., rhus-t., sang., sep., Sil., sulph., Tarent-c., teucr.Sil., sulph., Tarent-c., teucr.

NAILS; pulp, of; nails recede, leave raw NAILS; pulp, of; nails recede, leave raw surface: surface: secsec..

redness; fingernails: redness; fingernails: apis, ars., cortiso., apis, ars., cortiso., crot-c., lepi., lith-c., ozone, upa., x-raycrot-c., lepi., lith-c., ozone, upa., x-ray

inflammation, fingernails; around: inflammation, fingernails; around: con., con., hell., kola., nat-m., nat-s., ph-ac., sil.hell., kola., nat-m., nat-s., ph-ac., sil.

H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; fungus, H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; fungus, under (4) : ant-c., graph., petr., thuj.under (4) : ant-c., graph., petr., thuj.

H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; inflammation, fingernails (1) : kali-c.inflammation, fingernails (1) : kali-c.

H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; H; Hands; NAILS, fingers, general; inflammation, fingernails; root of (2) : hep., inflammation, fingernails; root of (2) : hep., stict.stict.

Due to Candida

Ringworm

Splinter HaemorrhagesSplinter Haemorrhages Looks like a splinter underneath the nail, Looks like a splinter underneath the nail,

virtually 100% diagnostic of Sub-acute Bacterial virtually 100% diagnostic of Sub-acute Bacterial Endocarditis Endocarditis (SBE)(SBE). A bacterial infection . A bacterial infection affecting the valves of the heart. Occasionally affecting the valves of the heart. Occasionally caused by Trichinosis, a parasitic infection caused by Trichinosis, a parasitic infection caused by eating raw or undercooked Pork. caused by eating raw or undercooked Pork.

D; Diseases; ENDOCARDITIS, heart: abrot., acet-ac., D; Diseases; ENDOCARDITIS, heart: abrot., acet-ac., Acon., Ars., ars-i., Aur., aur-m., bism., bry., cact., calc., Acon., Ars., ars-i., Aur., aur-m., bism., bry., cact., calc., cocc., coc-c., colch., dig., ferr., iod., kali-ar., kali-c., kali-i., cocc., coc-c., colch., dig., ferr., iod., kali-ar., kali-c., kali-i., Kalm., lach., led., nat-m., naja, ox-ac., phos., phyt., plat., Kalm., lach., led., nat-m., naja, ox-ac., phos., phyt., plat., plb., sep., Spig., spong., tarent., verat-v.plb., sep., Spig., spong., tarent., verat-v.

D; Diseases; TRICHINOSIS (3) : ars., bapt., cinaD; Diseases; TRICHINOSIS (3) : ars., bapt., cina

Absent "half moons"Absent "half moons" - Pituitary - Pituitary problems or poor circulation. problems or poor circulation.

NAILS; lunula absent: NAILS; lunula absent: lyc., puls., tublyc., puls., tub..

White hue at base of nails:White hue at base of nails: Liver disease: chronic hepatitis or Liver disease: chronic hepatitis or

cirrhosis. cirrhosis.

Yellow nail syndromeYellow nail syndrome Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow

or green nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and or green nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis). May be are loose or detached (onycholysis). May be associated with swelling of the hands and feet associated with swelling of the hands and feet (lymphoedema), or a lung diseases e.g. chronic (lymphoedema), or a lung diseases e.g. chronic bronchitis. Yellow nails can indicate internal bronchitis. Yellow nails can indicate internal disorders long before other symptoms appear. disorders long before other symptoms appear. Some of these are problems with the lymphatic Some of these are problems with the lymphatic system, respiratory disorders, diabetes, and liver system, respiratory disorders, diabetes, and liver disorders.disorders.

NAILS: discoloration; yellowish: NAILS: discoloration; yellowish: am-c., ambr., ant-am-c., ambr., ant-c., ars., aur., bell., bry., calc., canth., carb-v., caust., c., ars., aur., bell., bry., calc., canth., carb-v., caust., cham., chel., chin., Con., ferr., hep., ign., lyc., cham., chel., chin., Con., ferr., hep., ign., lyc., merc., merc., nit-ac., nux-vnit-ac., nux-v., op., plb., puls., Sep., Sil., spig., ., op., plb., puls., Sep., Sil., spig., sulph.sulph.

White spots (Leukonychia)

• Caused by trauma to the nails, over vigorous/excessive manicuring.

• alum., ars., nit-ac., ozone, sep., Sil., sulph., thal.

MelanonychiaMelanonychia

vertical pigmented bands or nail 'moles‘ vertical pigmented bands or nail 'moles‘ a sudden change in the nail plate could a sudden change in the nail plate could

indicate a malignant melanoma or indicate a malignant melanoma or lesion.  lesion. 

Commonly occur in dark-skinned people, Commonly occur in dark-skinned people, and are normal. and are normal.

Brittle nailsBrittle nails HypoHypothyroidismthyroidism: : brittle nails - which brittle nails - which

separate easily from the nail bed separate easily from the nail bed (Onycholysis) (Onycholysis) accompanied byaccompanied by dry, dry, yellowish skin, fatigue, slow pulse, chilly, yellowish skin, fatigue, slow pulse, chilly, coarse hair that falls out. coarse hair that falls out.

HyperHyperthyroidism: brittle nails - which thyroidism: brittle nails - which separate easily from the nail bed separate easily from the nail bed (Onycholysis) and are concave (spoon nails) (Onycholysis) and are concave (spoon nails)

Brittle nails - may also suggest iron deficiency Brittle nails - may also suggest iron deficiency anemia, kidney and circulatory problems. anemia, kidney and circulatory problems.

NAILS; brittleNAILS; brittle: : alum.,alum., alum-sil., ambr., anan., ant-c., alum-sil., ambr., anan., ant-c., ars., but-ac., calc., ars., but-ac., calc., calc-f.,calc-f., cast-eq., caust., clem., cast-eq., caust., clem., cupr., cupr., dios., fl-ac.,dios., fl-ac., GraphGraph., hep., hydrog., lept., lyc., ., hep., hydrog., lept., lyc., med., merc., morg., nat-m., med., merc., morg., nat-m., nit-acnit-ac., ozone, phos., ., ozone, phos., PsorPsor., rad-br., ruta, sabad., ., rad-br., ruta, sabad., sec., selsec., sel., senec., sep.,., senec., sep., silsil., spig., squil., ., spig., squil., sulphsulph., syc-co., thuj., tub., x-ray., syc-co., thuj., tub., x-ray

Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break Nails that chip, peel, crack, or break easilyeasily - suggest a nutritional deficiency, - suggest a nutritional deficiency, lacking hydrochloric acid, protein or minerals. lacking hydrochloric acid, protein or minerals.

NAILS: cracked: NAILS: cracked: ant-c., ars., lach., nat-m., ant-c., ars., lach., nat-m., sil.sil.

Crumbling away of fingernailsCrumbling away of fingernails: but-ac: but-ac..{Butyric acid: a volatile acid obtained from {Butyric acid: a volatile acid obtained from butter}butter}

NAILS; scatter like powder when cutNAILS; scatter like powder when cut: sil.: sil.

Splitting nails

Peeling nails

Summary:Summary:

Liver Diseases: Liver Diseases: White NailsWhite Nails Kidney Diseases: Kidney Diseases: Half of nail is pink, Half of nail is pink,

half is whitehalf is white Heart Conditions: Heart Conditions: Nail bed is redNail bed is red Lung Diseases: YLung Diseases: Yellowing and ellowing and

thickening of the nail, slowed growth thickening of the nail, slowed growth raterate

Anemia: Anemia: Pale nail bedsPale nail beds Diabetes: Diabetes: Yellowish nails, with a slight Yellowish nails, with a slight

blush at the baseblush at the base

Nutritional deficienciesNutritional deficiencies

Vitamin A and calciumVitamin A and calcium deficiencies deficiencies - dry brittle nails. - dry brittle nails.

Vitamin BVitamin B deficiency - horizontal deficiency - horizontal and vertical ridges, that break easily. and vertical ridges, that break easily.

Vitamin B12Vitamin B12 deficiency- dry, deficiency- dry, darkened nails with rounded and darkened nails with rounded and curved nail ends. curved nail ends.

Protein deficiency- Protein deficiency- white bands white bands

Ayurvedic analysis:Ayurvedic analysis: Ayurveda considers nails as the Ayurveda considers nails as the

waste product of the bones. waste product of the bones. Dry, crooked, rough nails that break Dry, crooked, rough nails that break

easily indicates a predominance of easily indicates a predominance of the the Vata Vata constitution. constitution.

Soft, pink, tender nails that are easily Soft, pink, tender nails that are easily bent are indication of a bent are indication of a PittaPitta constitution. constitution.

Thick, strong, soft and shiny nails Thick, strong, soft and shiny nails indicate a Kapha constitution. indicate a Kapha constitution.

Ayurvedic analysis:Ayurvedic analysis:

Longitudinal lines: Longitudinal lines: indicate inability of indicate inability of the digestive system to absorb food the digestive system to absorb food properly. properly.

Transverse grooves:Transverse grooves: may indicate the may indicate the presence of long-standing illness or presence of long-standing illness or malnutrition.malnutrition.

Yellow nailsYellow nails: alert us to liver problems or : alert us to liver problems or jaundice. jaundice.

Blue nails:Blue nails: indicate a weak heart. indicate a weak heart. RednessRedness: shows an excess of red blood : shows an excess of red blood

cells.cells.