Call your health care provider if you have:

• Blue nails
• Clubbed nails
• Distorted nails
• Horizontal ridges
• Pale nails
• White lines
• White color under the nails

If you have splinter hemorrhages, see the doctor immediately.

The health care provider will look at your nails and ask questions about your symptoms. Questions may include:

• Type
  • What is the abnormality?
  • Are the nails an abnormal color?
    • What color are they?
    • Are there red lines running the length of the nail (splinter hemorrhage)?
  • Are they an abnormal shape?
  • Has the texture changed?
  • Has the thickness changed?
  • Are the nails pitted?
  • Are the nails detached?
  • Are there ridged nails?
    • Which direction does the ridging go?
  • Does the whole end of the finger look enlarged?
  • Is there a lack of luster?
  • Are the nails brittle?
• Location
  • Is it the hands?
  • Is it the feet?
  • Is it only on one side?
  • Are both sides the same?
  • Is it only one specific nail?
• Aggravating factors
  • Have you had an injury to the nail?
  • Do you bite your nails?
  • Do you pick your nails or rub the fingers or toes chronically?
  • Are the nails frequently moist?
  • Do you use nail polish?
• Other
  • What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests will depend on what other symptoms, if any, exist. These may include x-rays, blood tests, or examination of parts of the nail in the laboratory.