Doctor reveals 7 hidden nail problems: What they can tell you

Iron deficiency anemia,
hemochromatosis (iron overload), and
thyroid disease.
This is particularly common in children and women of childbearing age, whose iron stores can fluctuate due to diet or menstruation.

✅What to do: If you notice a spoonful of food building up over time, have a blood test to check your ferritin, iron, and hemoglobin levels.

🌑4. Black streaks or bands: These could be a sign of melanoma.

A dark streak running vertically under the nail, especially if it extends from the cuticle to the tip, may not be an ordinary bruise.

This phenomenon is called melanonychia. These bands can sometimes be caused by subungual melanoma, a rare but serious form of skin cancer.

Other causes are:

Trauma (e.g., a blow to the thumb)
Side effects of medications
Ethnic pigmentation (common in people with darker skin)
⚠️Rule of thumb: If the streak appears suddenly, is widespread, or affects only one nail, see a dermatologist.

🦴5. Yellow nails: They can indicate a fungal infection or a problem with the lymphatic system.
Yellow nails are often considered a sign of aging or damaged nail polish, but they can also indicate underlying health problems, including:

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