Why do fingernails bend down

When pitting shows a regular pattern, it can be a sign of alopecia areata, a type of hair loss caused by an autoimmune response. Some lines on your nail can be normal, but Beau lines are noticeably deep and run width-wise on the nail, not vertically. These can appear after really intense stress to your nail makes it stop growing or grow more slowly than usual for some time 2.

This is called koilonychia, and it can be a completely normal age-related change to your nails, Dr. But it may also indicate iron-deficiency anemia or other disorders in which iron is not metabolized correctly, like hemochromatosis and Plummer-Vinson Syndrome, which happens after long-term, chronic iron-deficiency anemia 3.

But other times, this half-and-half white coloring can be a symptom of a more serious issue like chronic kidney disease 4. A dark brown or black stripe along your nail, or brown pigments surrounding the nail, will most often be benign moles or pigmentation. This is most common in people with darker complexions because they tend to have more pigment-producing melanocytes in their skin and nails 6. Stern explains.

This is especially the case if the dark streak is changing in some way, like widening or getting even darker. This is also key to keep in mind if you have dark skin, as you can be more vulnerable to getting melanoma on your hands and feet which can present on your nails.

Stern notes that most commonly, nails turn yellow because of nail polish use. Stern explains, and sometimes causing yellow nail syndrome. If your nails are curving down and have a noticeable rounded edge—kind of like upside down spoons—this could be a sign of clubbing 8. Clubbing can even make the tips of your fingers appear swollen or bulging.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. That growth and shrinking process — if done repeatedly — can wear down your fingernails and make them fragile. However, FutureDerm continues, if you're experiencing other symptoms like constipation, hair loss, depression, or twitching muscles along with unhealthy nails, you may be anemic.

Wearing gloves when cleaning or washing dishes can give your nails a chance to recover via AOCD. Vinyl gloves, not rubber or latex, helps keep your nails safe from abrasive chemicals and moisture, according to HowStuffWorks. They suggest "sprinkling a little baby powder in your gloves" or wearing "a pair of cotton inserts under the gloves," for wet work. Moreover, rubbing essential oils and applying a moisturizer after you clean or wash your hands can benefit the health of your nails via HealthyLife.

In general, weak nails are a sign of a deficiency in B vitamins, calcium, iron, or fatty acids.