While manicures will cover any ripples or bumps on your nails, shiny polish can’t hide the disease that might be hiding inside your body.
Your nails can show something about your overall health and any abnormalities can suggest there’s a potential problem with your liver, lungs or heart.
Nail health often reflect what’s happening inside our bodies and when changes occur, it may signal various health conditions or simply reflect normal aging processes.
But according to the National Library of Medicine (NCBI), stripes on fingernails can be harmless, ridges on “nails may also provide an insight into more sinister systemic manifestations,” indicating underlying health issues.
In the article today, we’ll explore the different types of stripes on your nails, what they might mean and when you should consider seeking medical advice.
Types of Nail Stripes
A decrease in blood protein levels, particularly albumin, can also cause these white stripes, commonly seen in those with malnutrition or chronic liver disease.
If Muehrcke’s lines are visible on multiple nails, consult with a medical professional as it may be a sign of protein deficiencies or kidney/liver problems.
‘Poor diet’
For most population, ripples are normal and can be fixed with some buffing or a healthy lifestyle change.
A balanced diet that’s rich in protein, vitamins and minerals – biotin, vitamin E, iron and zinc – can improve nail appearance over time.
Dr. Sara Norris, a naturopathic doctor based in Los Angeles, says to Healthline that “nail health is most often an indicator of poor nutritional intake or poor digestion.”
“Brittle, weak, and peeling nails are the most common concerns I see in my practice, and these symptoms are more often the result of a poor diet than of systemic disease,” she explains.
Your nails are offering you some valuable insights into your health, ranging from harmless signs of aging to potential indicators of underlying health conditions. Most causes are easy to treat but they’re a good indicator of poor health so pay attention to what they’re telling you!
