Strong Nails: What Your Toenails Say About Your Health

Bodies have unique ways of communicating. If you notice anything odd about your toenails, such as discoloration or horizontal lines, it could be your body's way of letting you know something is wrong.

However, it is not always easy to understand what your toenails say about your health, as there is a range of diseases and health problems associated with various types of toenail conditions. This guide helps you understand what toenails say about your health and how to keep your toenails healthy.

What Do Your Toenails Say About Your Health: 4 Things To Watch For

The shape, growth, color, and texture of your toenails can indicate good health. If your toenails are pinkish and smooth with no discoloration, that is a good sign. However, many people, especially as they get older, notice toenail problems.

1. Beau’s Lines: You Are (Or Were) Very Stressed or Seriously Ill

Beau’s Lines is associated with stress. Vertical ridges on toenails or fingernails are usually normal, especially among older people. However, if you notice side-to-side grooves or trenches on your nails, you could be under stress or sick. Alternatively, you may have dropped something on your toes.

These horizontal lines are called Beau’s lines. They are especially interesting because they may affect just a few nails or all of them. They appear as sideways horizontal dents and can vary in prominence. The two possible factors affecting your toenail growth are serious illness or deep stress. When you see Beau's lines, what your toenails say about your health may be, "The body has to redirect energy to urgent matters that require more immediate attention. The growth of the toenails will have to wait."

If you notice these signs while dealing with severe mental or emotional trauma, such as the loss of a loved one, that could be the cause. Examples of physical illness that can cause Beau's lines include:

Kidney disease
Heart attack
Pneumonia
Strep infections
Vitamin deficiencies

Chronic health issues such as diabetes or hypothyroidism can also interfere with the blood flow to your nail matrix. In addition, skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can result in Beau’s lines, as can dropping a heavy object on your toenails or suffering extreme cold exposure.

The lines may show up weeks or months after the stress or nail damage and do not have treatments per se. However, addressing the underlying cause can prevent the lines from returning once they grow out (which takes about six months). For example, your doctor may recommend eczema creams or measures to control your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.

If the lines are white or discolored, this could be an example of Mee's lines. They can point to extremely serious conditions such as carbon monoxide poisoning, arsenic poisoning, kidney failure, or even malaria.

2. Toenail Discoloration: You May Have a Fungal Infection or an Illness

What your toenails say about your health can be conveyed by color

The color of your toenails can provide insights into what your toenails say about your health. For example, you might be in the beginning stages of a fungal infection if you notice white spots on your toenails.

Over time, the toenails with these spots are likely to thicken and become cloudy and yellow-brown. The nails may become thick and hard for you to cut. They'll probably also become brittle and interfere with your walking. You may feel pain and swelling.

In short, don't ignore fungal infections, as they can severely affect your toenail and fingernail health. Fortunately, you can often get rid of them with aloe vera anti-fungal treatments. They should work on fingernails, too. Always pay attention from the moment you see white toenail speckles.

Here are other possible toenail health signs related to discoloration and what they may mean:

Gray toenails could point to arthritis, lung disease, or malnutrition. Always pay attention to coloration because it’s a big part of what your toenails say about your health.
Green toenails could mean an infection. They could also be an allergic reaction to some chemicals in cleaning products or makeup.
A bluish tinge or purple-colored nails could indicate Raynaud's disease. Blood doesn't circulate properly to your extremities, and the lower levels of oxygen turn your nails blue or purple.
Black nails can mean an injury beneath your nails, perhaps from ill-fitting shoes. Badly fitting shoes can also cause purple or red discoloration. In addition, black nails can signify a vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, or a bacterial infection. On occasion, black toenails could even mean liver disease, kidney disease, or cancer.
Dark streaks underneath the nail could point to hidden melanoma. This is a skin cancer that can be very dangerous.

3. Loose Toenails: You Could Have Any Number of Conditions

Loose Toenails. You Could Have Any Number of Conditions

Loose toenails (separated from the nail bed) could mean thyroid disease or any of many other conditions, such as infection, trauma, psoriasis, and improperly fitting shoes.

It can also point to allergic reactions and be a side effect of some medications and cancer treatments. What your toenails say about your health is, unfortunately, not always immediately apparent, and your doctor may need to run several tests.

Avoid pulling off a loose nail. If part of your toenail still appears healthy and attached, see if you can trim the detached area, which lets the healthy portion regrow. Cover the toe, and consult with a doctor for any additional care needs.

4. Ingrown Toenails: Poor Nail Health Can Cause Pain

Poor Nail Health Can Cause Pain Ingrown toenails can mean bad toenail health. They occur when the edge of a toenail, typically the big toe's nail, grows into the skin next to it.

Symptoms can include redness or dark discoloration, swelling, warmth, discharge, and pain. Interestingly, you probably won't see the ingrowth because it is often below the skin. Getting older can increase the risk of ingrown toenails, as can fungal infections, poor leg circulation, lung disease, poorly fitting shoes or socks, a family history of ingrown nails, and an atypical toe shape.

5. Brittle and Concave Nails: How Celiac Disease Affects Toenails

Sometimes, brittle, discolored, and concave toenails can signal underlying health issues like celiac disease. As an inherited autoimmune disorder, this condition causes your body to react against a protein called gluten. The reaction damages the linings of the small intestine, impairing its ability to absorb nutrients. This leads to nutritional deficiencies, which can show their signs in the form of various nail conditions.

How to Keep Toenails Healthy

Healthy and strong nails aren’t just a sign of a healthy body, but they’re also crucial for maintaining good hygiene and avoiding further complications. Damaged or weak nails are prone to infection as they can be a gateway for harmful microorganisms to enter the body. Here’s how you can achieve healthy and strong nails.

1. Nourish Your Nails with the Right Nutrients

Achieving perfect toenails starts with providing your body with the right nutrients. Healthy feet’ nails require a balanced intake of vitamins, minerals, and protein. A protein-rich diet is also essential for nail growth. Foods like chicken breast, eggs, and cheese support strong, resilient toenails.

2. Keep Your Feet Cool and Dry

Preventing issues like fungal infections and brittle nails starts with proper foot care. Letting your nails breathe and getting some sunlight can improve their overall health. To maintain proper toenail health, keep your feet dry and clean:

Wear well-fitting, breathable shoes to prevent moisture buildup.
Avoid tight or heavy shoes that put pressure on your toenails.
Use an antifungal soap to clean your feet regularly.
Enjoy being barefoot when you rest your feet.

Proper ventilation and hygiene prevent common problems and help maintain healthy toenails.

3. Soften Nails for Easy Trimming

Trimming dry or brittle nails can lead to painful tears and jagged edges. Softening your nails first makes cutting easier and reduces the risk of damage. Soak your feet in a cool bath to soften the toenails; adding bath salts or vinegar can enhance the effect. A toenail softening cream can also help make trimming easier. Softened nails are easier to shape, helping you maintain the best toenail shapes for your feet.

5. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

While polished toenails look great, harsh chemicals can weaken the nails over time. Avoid acetone-based removers, which strip moisture from your nails, and use non-toxic nail polish to minimize damage. Also, wear gloves when using products with strong chemical ingredients such as detergents.

6. Trim Your Nails the Right Way

Trimming your nails correctly helps maintain a proper toenail shape and prevents common issues like ingrown nails and breakage. After softening your nails, trim them straight across to avoid ingrown edges. Keep a small portion of the white tip visible to avoid cutting too close. If you prefer a round toenail shape, gently file the edges for a smooth finish. Use an easy-to-hold toenail clipper for better grip and safety.

7. Keep Your Toenails Hydrated

Just like your skin, your toenails benefit from regular hydration. Apply a moisturizing lotion to your toes and gently massage it into the nails and surrounding skin. Moisturize at least once a day to prevent dryness and brittleness.

How To Take Care of Toenails: When To Visit a Doctor

You can take good care of your feet at home, but there are times when everyday remedies don’t cut it. Keep an eye out for any signs of bacterial or fungal infections:

Red, swollen skin around your toenail
Pain, bleeding, or pus under the skin
Yellow or green nails
Brittle, thick, or misshapen toenails
Bad smells

While over-the-counter products can help with toenail fungus, if your condition has spread far enough, you need a doctor’s help to beat this type of infection.

Are Strong Nails a Sign of Good Health?

Strong nails can be a sign of good overall health. Paying attention to your toenails can reveal early signs of health issues before they become serious. Taking care of your nails isn’t just about appearance; it’s about health too.

If you’re dealing with cracked heels, fungal infections, or other foot and hand concerns, check out the UltraAloe-based hand and foot care products at Miracle of Aloe. Our products are designed to help you keep your nails and skin healthy and strong.

FAQs

Why do we need toenails?

Toenails protect the tip of our toes from injuries and abrasions. Moreover, they help us with fine motor skills and proprioception–our body's ability to sense movement, action, and location.

How long should toenails be?

If your toenails are too long, they can snag or break. On the other hand, cutting them too short can cause them to grow into the skin. Therefore, the ideal length is to keep them about 1-2 millimeters (0.04-0.08 inches) above where they attach to your toes.

How to care for toenails?

Taking care of your footnails requires proper nutrition and hydration. Trimming your nails the right way and maintaining good foot hygiene are also important for healthy footnails.

How do I make my toenails healthier?

Keeping your toenails strong and healthy requires taking care of your overall health. You should also take proper nutritional intake, maintain good nail hygiene, and keep your nails hydrated.