From missing half moons to ridges on the nail, what they can tell about the functioning of your internal organs

You do not always have to undergo expensive and complex tests to know what is wrong with your health. Sometimes just a look at your skin tone, hair conditions and nails can reveal a lot about what's going inside your body. A touch of white, a rosy tinge, or rippling, every single thing that appears on your nails has a distinct meaning and can give an insight of your lungs, heart and other organs conditions. Reading and understanding these signs can help you detect severe disorders and take appropriate action in time. Here are some health issues that your nails can reveal.

In a healthy individual, one can always find the half-moon shape at the bottom of the nail. It is a part of the matrix and reveals a lot about your health. Missing half-moon in some cases can be due to malnutrition, depression or anemia. You must consult your doctor if your nail starts appearing red and you experience symptoms like dizziness, anxiety and lightheadedness.

Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits and slightly reddish. Any discoloration or paleness can be a sign of serious health concerns. Pale nails reflect problems with your liver, kidney or heart. It can be a sign of anemia, liver problems, heart congestion or malnourishment. A yellowish nail is linked with chronic bronchitis, thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.

Have you ever noticed ridges or ripples in your nails? The vertical or horizontal lines tell a lot about your kidney and bone health. Rippled or pitted nail surfaces can be a sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Vertical lines accompanied by a change in nail colour can also indicate anaemia. While horizontal lines are more severe and could point to an underlying condition such as kidney disease. The rippling in the nails is sometimes inherited and becomes prominent with age.

A dry or brittle nail breaks quite frequently and easily. These types of nails can indicate underlying and untreated thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting of nails with a yellowish hue can also be due to fungal infection. In some cases, nails start breaking due to overexposure to moisture or chemicals like detergent, nail polish and nail polish remover.

White spots that appear in one or two nails can be a sign of zinc and calcium deficiency. It is not that harmful, but you need to up your nutrient intake level to avoid any severe health issues in the future. Scattered spots can also be caused due to an allergic reaction, fungal infection and injury to your nail.

Black lines that appear beneath your nail can be due to several reasons. Sometimes it is just due to some trauma or injury caused by slamming the door or hurting your fingers. The other reason could be melanoma, which is a kind of cancer. So, if the black lines are present in your nails for a long time and you do not remember getting hurt, consult your doctor immediately.