Blue nails: window to micronutrient deficiency (2024)

FAQs

Blue nails: window to micronutrient deficiency? ›

Nail changes in vitamin B₁₂ deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks.

Why Are My Fingernails Blue? A low level or lack of oxygen circulating in your red blood cells can cause blue fingernails. Other causes can include chronic conditions and cold temperatures. This condition is known as cyanosis.

Zinc is an essential mineral for cell multiplication and protein absorption, functions that are important for thick, lustrous hair. White spots on the nails - sometimes called Beau's lines - are one of the important signs of a zinc deficiency. Nails can grow slowly, become brittle and break easily.

Nail plate discoloration can result from several nutritional deficiencies. Research has shown vitamin B12 deficiency to cause brown-gray nail discoloration. White nails can be the result of anemia and pink or red nails may suggest malnutrition with several nutrient and vitamin deficiencies.

Nail changes in vitamin B₁₂ deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B₁₂ deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.

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. Leukonychia is white streaks or spots on the nails often due to drugs or disease.

The causes of cyanosis can include chronic health conditions, heart disease, and anemia. If you often have blue nails, consider speaking with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health conditions.

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.

There are several reasons your nails could be blue, including heart conditions. Sometimes a heart murmur will cause blue nail beds. When a health-care provider listens to your heart and hears a certain swooshing sound, it's an indication that the blood is flowing through the heart abnormally.

What does vitamin D deficiency show on nails? ›

If your nails are peeling, brittle, or have vertical ridges, you may be vitamin D deficient. Dubbed “the sunshine vitamin,” one of the best sources is sunlight. It can also be found in fatty fish, beef, liver, egg yolk, and fortified dairy, orange juice, and cereals.

Brittle nails and hangnails could indicate a protein deficiency. A few studies have found that a lack of the following essential proteins and vitamins can result in hangnails: Folic acid.

How does Magnesium affect my nails? This lesser-known mineral plays a crucial role in multiple bodily processes, including protein synthesis, which is essential for healthy nails. A magnesium deficiency can result in weak, flaky nails that are prone to breakage.

Nail changes.

People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails. White bands running across one or more nails (Muehrcke's nails)

When your body lacks calcium, your nails become thinner, weaker, and brittle. You may notice that they break easily and just don't look as healthy as they used to. Although nails and bones are made up of different substances, they're similar enough that poor nail health may be an early marker of bone density problems.

4 White/yellow/greenish discolouration and thickening at the end of the nail spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which may be thick and brittle. The distorted nail can become sharp or break off, and can dig into neighbouring toes.

Bluish discoloration of the skin may signal a lack of oxygen in the blood. It could also indicate an abnormal form of hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells) like it does with sickle cell anemia. Cyanosis is the name for poor oxygen circulation in the blood that causes bluish discoloration of the skin.

Cyanosis is caused due to an absolute increase in the deoxygenated hemoglobin. Therefore, in anemic patients, greater desaturation of arterial hemoglobin is required for cyanosis to manifest, as compared to individuals with normal hemoglobin levels.

If you have an iron deficiency, changing your diet or taking supplements may correct and prevent spoon nails. For example, you may eat more iron-rich foods, such as: Beans and lentils. Dark chocolate.

If you have blue or purple nail beds or fingernails, it may be due to an underlying condition known as cyanosis . This condition is caused by a lack of oxygen in the blood. Cyanosis can result from exposure to cold temperatures, certain lung and heart conditions, circulation problems, issues with hemoglobin, and more.