Your nails may look like dead cells, but they’re actually silent messengers of your internal health. Changes in their color, shape, or texture can be early indicators of serious medical conditions. Here are five nail changes you should never ignore:

1. Spoon-Shaped Nails (Koilonychia)

• Sign of: Iron deficiency or anemia
• Nails become thin and curve upward like a spoon.
• May also show white spots or become brittle.

2. Brittle or Peeling Nails

• Sign of: Thyroid imbalance (hypo or hyperthyroidism)
• Nails break easily, separate from the nail bed, or grow slowly.
• Often accompanied by fatigue or weight changes.

3. White Nails (Terry’s Nails)

• Sign of: Liver disease (like cirrhosis or hepatitis)
• Nails appear almost completely white with a dark band at the tip.
• May also show yellowing of the skin under the nail.

4. Half-White, Half-Brown Nails

• Sign of: Kidney disease or kidney failure
• The top half of the nail turns white, while the bottom becomes dark brown or pink.
• Indicates serious disruption in kidney function.

5. Yellow, Thickened Nails

• Sign of: Diabetes or fungal infection
• Nails become discolored, thick, and may crumble.
• High blood sugar weakens immunity, making nails prone to infection.