What Does It Mean if Your Nails Are White? (2024)

FAQs

What Does It Mean if Your Nails Are White? ›

This could mean you have a low red blood cell count. White nails also can signal trauma, liver disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, heart failure, heavy metal poisoning, chemotherapy, or a lack of nutrients in your diet.

White nails are indicative of any or a combination of the conditions including anemia, overuse of nail polish, weak nails, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and liver disease.

Why are the tips of my nails white? As your nails grow out beyond the nail bed, they usually change to white. This is because the nail is dry. This is nothing to worry about and is a sign of healthy nails.

Well, turns out that this commonly believed 'fact' is actually a myth. That is because those white spots on your nail beds are not due to calcium deficiency but because of a zinc deficiency.

Healthy nails should look pink on the nail bed and white when grown off the nail bed. Any other color could be a sign of a deficiency or disease. For instance, clear, pale nails can be a sign of anemia or poor nutrition. White nails, also known as Terry's nails, are a sign of kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes.

This could mean you have a low red blood cell count. White nails also can signal trauma, liver disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, heart failure, heavy metal poisoning, chemotherapy, or a lack of nutrients in your diet.

Key takeaways: White marks on your nails, or leukonychia, are usually harmless and not a cause for concern. Nail injury is the most common cause of white spots on the nails. Some medical conditions, like iron deficiency anemia, can also cause white marks on the nails.

They could be completely translucent, or be partially white with spots or bands of translucency, or fully white. All are normal. It's not necessarily bad to have clear fingernails, as long as it's not from too much water.

Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age.

Aging can change nail plate and nail bed conditions due to atherosclerosis and fibrosis of the peripheral tissues [13]. In these circ*mstances, including Lindsay's or Terry's nails, nail color typically changes to white. Both conditions reportedly indicate the presence of liver and renal diseases [7,10].

What does unhealthy fingernails look like? ›

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color) changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing) changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)

Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging.

Pale Nails

White nails, also known as leukonychia, describes fingernails that are partially or completely white in color. The white color could be the result of several things such as trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning.

Chromonychia: Research has identified some cases of COVID that involve orange discoloration near the top of the nails. Chromonychia may develop as long as four months after COVID infection and has typically occurred in older adults with anemia or sarcopenia (muscle loss).

“Men remember women who have red nails, which is good if you are hoping to make a lasting impression. Red is associated with strong emotions, strength, power, courage, and danger. Red nails are a clear signal a woman is ready to attract a partner.”

Healthy nails are generally pink. Very pale nails may indicate illnesses, such as anemia, congestive heart failure or liver disease. Poor nutrition also may be a culprit. It's a good idea to get very pale nails checked by a doctor.

See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color) changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing) changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)

Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Nails may take on a bluish tinge if the body lacks adequate oxygen. Heart disease and emphysema may cause this. If you aren't under a doctor's care for an oxygen-related condition, make an appointment to find out what is causing the color change.