Hands and feet colors or designs do not have to match.

 Healthy nails are not . . .

Weak, brittle nails – “Ridges and weakness can be just dry nails,” Dr. Graf says. “The nail is made of keratin, so if you have rough and dry nails that break easily, that means they’re getting thinner.” Fortunately, treatment is easy: take 500 mcg of biotin daily.  Do not buff your nails, instead smooth with light block or smoothing file, this too will cause thinning and splits if not done correctly.  Polishing with nail strengthener (not hardener) will add to the overall appearance and health of your nails.  With that said, weakened nails are sometimes a sign of nutritional deficiencies. “Selenium, biotin, and other minerals are very important,” she continues. “If you have weak nails, get a checkup to rule out anemia or thyroid issues.”

Yellow, green, or white nails – Nail polish can cause a slight yellowing of the nails, which is temporary and largely harmless. But if your nails are yellow, green, or white, that may be a sign of a serious health issue. “Yellow or green nails can be indicative of lymphatic obstruction in the fingers,” Dr. Graf says, adding that significant color changes could also be a sign of liver or kidney disease.

This condition can also be due to overlays that have lifted, been on too long and/or moisture and dirt has gotten between the overlay and natural nail causing fungus which will lead to discoloration.  This can be dangerous to the future health of the nail and nailbed.

“Basically, if your nails look funky, you’ve got to get them checked out.”

The last of this three-part series will post next week.  If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Think About It:  The more things change, the more they stay the same. —Alphonse Karr