Your fingernails and toenails do more than just complete your look. They’re also a window into your overall health.
Changes in your nails can be a sign of something going on inside your body, from a simple infection to a more serious systemic disease. They can even be a sign of malignancy.
Nail disorders are surprisingly common and can significantly impact your daily life. So, it’s important to pay attention to your nails and know what to look for.
Here’s a look at 14 nail disorders you should know about:
- Brittle nail syndrome
- Onychomycosis (nail fungus)
- Paronychia (nail infection)
- Nail psoriasis
- Longitudinal melanonychia (dark stripes on the nail)
- Beau’s lines (horizontal grooves)
- Onychomadesis (nail shedding)
- Retronychia (ingrown nail)
- Onychogryphosis (thickened, curved nails)
- Ingrown toenails
- Onycholysis (nail separation)
- Onychoschizia (nail splitting)
- Ram’s horn nails
- Onychocryptosis (another term for ingrown toenails)