Nail problems

Nails are a substructure of the outer layer of the skin that are composed of keratin, and that function to protect the tips of fingers and toes from injury. Nails grow on a nail bed, which is usually pink, to indicating a rich blood supply. Abnormalities of the nails can occur due to nutritional deficiencies or as a result of other internal diseases. One example of a nutritional deficiency is iron deficiency. When the body is iron deficient, the nails can take on a ‘spoon’ shape, become concave and have vertical ridges.

Who to consult: Dietician, GP, herbalist, homoeopath, naturopath, podiatrist, pharmacist.

Tags: nail, nails, skin, keratin, fingers, toes, bed, blood, iron, deficiency, vertical, ridges