Nail Health Barometer

Nails can indeed be used as a reference signal for general health, but they are by no means the metaphysical correspondence of "less crescents = kidney deficiency" and "vertical lines = liver failure" spread online - they can indicate in advance the early risks of local infection, nutritional deficiencies and even some systemic diseases. However, the judgment must be combined with other physical symptoms. To directly draw a disease conclusion based on nail characteristics alone, 9 out of 10 cases will scare yourself.

Last week I went to a community nail salon where I often go to get some care. I met a little girl born after 2000 who was holding her cell phone and weeping. She said that she had read a health post that said "the fewer the crescent moon, the weaker the body." Only two of her ten fingers could see a crescent moon. She felt that she was about to have a kidney problem, and she had already made an appointment with a traditional Chinese medicine doctor for the next day. Sister Chen, who was doing her care, had been doing manicures for almost 20 years. She laughed when she took one look at her and said, "This is because the matrix of your nail is at the back, and the new nail is blocked by the flesh at the back as soon as it appears. The least one I have ever had has not even a half-moon. Every year, the physical examination is normal, and there is nothing wrong with it."

As for the correspondence between nails and health, in fact, there are indeed differences in the judgment logic between Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, and there is no need to argue who is right and who is wrong. For example, everyone is afraid of vertical nail lines. Western medicine generally believes that more than 90% of adults have physiological vertical lines. To put it bluntly, they are "wrinkles" of nails. The older you get, the more obvious they are, just like fine lines on your face and dry hair. Only when the lines suddenly become more numerous and thicker in a short period of time, or even the vertical lines turn black, or the nails split inexplicably, do you need to be alert to whether the nail matrix is ​​damaged, a lack of trace elements, or abnormal thyroid function. In Chinese medicine, the saying that "the claws are not only for the tendons, but the liver controls the tendons" is not groundless. An old Chinese medicine doctor I know said that if the vertical lines are obvious and you also have long-term dry eyes, irritability, and are prone to waking up between 1 and 3 in the morning, then you can indeed consider whether the liver blood is insufficient and adjust your work and rest appropriately, but the premise is that you must have other accompanying symptoms. You can't just use a fingernail to prescribe a prescription.

I had dinner with a friend from the dermatology department before. He said that he had seen a male patient in his 30s last year. He had a 2mm wide black spot on his big toenail. It was not painful or itchy. He thought it was bruised from being kicked somewhere. It took him half a year to come. However, the biopsy showed that it was early-stage subungual melanoma. Fortunately, it had not metastasized yet. If it was removed, it would be fine. If it were delayed for another six months, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, you cannot completely ignore changes in your nails, especially the sudden appearance of dark spots with unclear boundaries, or the inexplicable thickening, graying, and uneven nails. Even if you are not uncomfortable, it is best to go and have a look. It is either onychomycosis or other problems. Don't bear it. Oh, by the way, some people asked if soft nails are caused by calcium deficiency? In fact, it is not necessarily true. Some people are born with soft nails, which is related to genetics. As long as there is no other discomfort, it will be fine. If the nails suddenly become soft before, you should consider whether it is a nutrition or thyroid problem.

Many people have white spots on their nails, and their first reaction is to buy calcium tablets. In fact, it really has nothing to do with calcium deficiency. Most of the white spots are caused by minor trauma that you didn't notice before - such as squeezing your fingers when closing the door, nicking the nail surface when peeling off crab shells, filing the nails too hard when doing a manicure, and the nail matrix is ​​slightly irritated. The grown nails will have small white spots. When they grow to the point where the fingertips are cut, they will disappear, and nothing will be affected. Only those who have a bunch of small white spots growing densely, often suffer from oral ulcers, lose more hair than before, and have no appetite for food, may they be deficient in zinc or B vitamins. It is not too late to check for trace elements and supplement them.

I have met a friend before and asked, what is the reason for the densely packed small pits on the nails, like thimbles? Don’t buy supplements blindly. I have a friend like this. First, he developed pits on his nails. He thought it was calcium deficiency. After half a year of supplementation, it didn’t work. Later, he developed red spots on his arms and went to the dermatologist. Only then did he find out that it was psoriasis. The doctor said that about 10% of psoriasis patients will have pin-like depressions as the first symptom of their nails, which may be two or three years earlier than the skin rash. If detected early, the intervention effect will be much better.

Speaking of which, I have also stepped into this pitfall myself. I especially loved doing nail extensions in the past two years. I did it for almost a year without leaving any window period for my nails. After removing my nails, I found that my nails were so thin that they could transmit light, and there were many horizontal white lines. I was so scared at the time that I thought It was a serious illness. I went to the dermatology department. The doctor took one look at me and rushed me back. He said that I had done manicures too often, and the nail layer was injured due to repeated filing and glue. I stopped manicures, applied nail polish every day, and ate more protein. New nails would grow back in 3 months. I followed the instructions honestly, and sure enough, I was back to normal within two months.

In fact, there is really no need to treat small changes in nails as a scourge, and don’t take it to heart at all. To put it bluntly, this thing is just like the sensor light in your entrance. It will light up when there is movement. But when it lights up, it does not necessarily mean that there is a thief. It could also be caused by the wind or a cat running past, right? If you really realize that something is wrong, first check if you have any other discomforts. If you are really unsure, go to the hospital to see a doctor. Don’t diagnose yourself by looking at Baidu entries. Wouldn’t you like to save the registration fee and buy a cup of iced milk tea?