Your body can undergo a variety of symptoms when it's trying to tell you that something is wrong. White lines on the fingernails, fingernail discoloration or texture changes in the fingernail all point to more serious conditions. In some cases, these changes aren't serious, but any change in your body should send you to the doctor for further examination.
Symptoms
Many changes in fingernails point to a bigger problem. Some of these symptoms include white lines on the nails, depressions in the nails, shape abnormality, white spots on the nails, brittle nails and ridges on the nail.
Poisons
A common symptom of arsenic poisoning is white lines and horizontal ridges on the nails. If these symptoms occur, you should seek medical attention immediately. If a nail turns blue but was not bruised, it's usually a sign of silver ingestion.
Infections
Infections can cause changes in the color, texture and shape of the nails. Bacterial infections can cause the nails to change color, pain in the infected area and even nail loss. Heart valve infections can lead to red streaks in the nail bed, and viral warts can lead to a change in nail shape or ingrown skin. It's important to seek medical attention at the first sign of infection, which might be pain or discoloration.
Diseases
Nail changes often indicate a serious disease. Kidney disease can lead to a buildup of nitrogen waste in the blood, damaging nails, according to The National Institutes of Health. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, can cause fingernails to turn white. Chronic renal failure, a type of kidney disease, can also turn nails partially white or pink.
Malnutrition
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies often lead to changes in the nails. A deficiency in zinc results in white spots or streaks on the nail. If you're iron deficient, that can lead to anemia. A common symptom of anemia is pale or white nail beds. You can increase your intake of zinc and iron through meat consumption. Cooking in iron pots and pans can also increase your iron intake.
