16 Disturbing Things Your Nails Reveal About Your Health

Healthy nails should be smooth and uniform in color, but abnormalities in shape, color, and texture are common; the majority of people will experience a nail disorder at some point, often due to environmental factors or infection.

In some cases, though, changes in the nail indicate an underlying health condition with wider implications, which means these little pieces of keratin can give us valuable insight into our overall health.

1. Thick Nails

Thick nails can be caused by a number of factors, most commonly aging, trauma, poor circulation, and fungal infection. In some cases, thickened nails may be a symptom of an underlying condition such as psoriasis, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, or diabetes.

Environmentally speaking, toenails sometimes grow thicker due to pressure from ill-fitting shoes.