Nail Abnormalities

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Overview & Considerations

Just like the skin, the fingernails are a telling reflection of a person's state of health.

Pitting (the presence of small depressions on the nail surface) is often accompanied with crumbling of the nail. Detachment of the nail can also occur. (The nail becomes loose and sometimes even comes off.)

Ridges (linear elevations) can develop along the nail occurring in a "lengthwise" or "crosswise" direction.

Beau's lines are linear depressions that occur "crosswise" (transverse) in the fingernail. They can occur after illness, trauma to the nail, and with malnutrition.

Leukonychia describes white streaks or spots on the nails.

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

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