6 Signs of Healthy Nails
Key takeaways:
Healthy nails tend to be pale pink or pale purple (mauve) in color. They have intact cuticles and healthy skin around the nail.
To keep your nails healthy and growing strong, focus on a nutrient-dense diet. Good nail hygiene helps as well, so keep nails clean, dry, and filed.
Some nail changes can suggest an underlying medical condition. If you notice horizontal ridges, little divots, or yellow spots, get your nails checked out by your healthcare provider.
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You may not think much about your nails, but they’re an extension of your skin and an important part of your overall health. Sometimes, unusual changes in nails can mean an underlying health problem. But how do you know if your nails are healthy? What should you look for?
When it comes to the health of your nails, “there are many aspects that are in our control and others that are not,” says Marie C. Leger, MD, PhD, a New York City dermatologist at Entière Dermatology and a clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine. And while nails can vary somewhat from person to person, there are six sure signs of healthy nails.
1. Healthy nails have a healthy color
Healthy nails have a pale pink, rose, or pale purple (mauve) color. Nails get their color from the skin tissue underneath the nail plate (the hard part of your nail that grows). So a healthy nail color means healthy skin tissue.
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It can be normal to have one or two white spots on your nail. These probably happen as a result of minor injuries. They tend to grow out as your nail grows.
But some nail color changes can be a sign of an underlying medical problem:
Yellow or green patches could be a nail fungal infection.
A brown or black line could be melanoma (so it should be checked out right away).
A red lunula (the half-moon shape at the nail base that’s normally white) could mean lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Healthy nails have healthy cuticles
Your cuticles are a thin layer of clear, dead skin cells at the base of your nails. They may be small, but cuticles have an important job in keeping your nails healthy. They act like a seal, protecting your nails by keeping bacteria and fungi out. If they’ve been damaged — like through picking, biting, or cutting — there’s a risk of developing a nail infection.
Dr. Leger suggests “minimizing cutting the cuticles during manicures” to help protect your nails from infection. Also, “wearing gloves when washing dishes and doing other wet work can help protect cuticles.”
3. Healthy nails are smooth (mostly)
In general, healthy nails have a relatively smooth surface. It’s normal to have some vertical ridges, especially as you get older. These are lines that run from the base of the nail to the tips.
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Horizontal ridges, on the other hand, are lines that run side-to-side across the nail. These are called Beau’s lines, and they are usually a sign of underlying illness or stress.
4. Healthy nails don’t break easily
Everyone’s nails are different. As Dr. Leger points out, “some people … have nails that grow long and thick,” while others may have more fragile nails. We’re just made differently.
But if you notice your nails seem especially thin or break easily, you may have brittle nails. There are a few reasons why people may have brittle nails. Age is one of them. But low iron levels or exposure to harsh chemicals (like bleach and detergents), can also affect nail strength.
5. Healthy nails have a flat curve
Most healthy nails have a gentle curve to their surface. But if your nails have an excessive curve — like the back of a spoon — this could be a sign of something called nail clubbing. Some people are born with nail clubbing. But if your nails have become clubbed over time, it could be because of an underlying health condition, like lung or heart disease.
6. Healthy nails are surrounded by healthy skin
The nail fold is the skin around the nails. It helps to protect the nail as it grows. Healthy nails typically go hand in hand with healthy nail folds.
Nail fold skin should be a normal skin color for you — whether that’s pale pink, olive, or brown. The skin should also be smooth. Possible signs of an underlying skin disease or infection are:
Damaged skin around the nails
A change of color (like to red, brown, or violet)
Swelling
Pain
Tips for growing and keeping your nails healthy
Caring for your nails doesn’t have to be complicated. Good nail care can go a long way to keeping your nails healthy and strong.
Here’s how that works in practice:
Eat a healthy and balanced diet rich in fresh ingredients and whole foods. According to Dr. Leger, “a balanced, healthy diet rich in fresh, simple, plant-based foods contributes to both nail and skin well-being.”
Keep your nails clean, dry, and filed smooth with an emery board. This helps prevent rough or jagged edges that can snag on things.
Avoid picking or biting your nails. This can lead to ingrown nails and infected cuticles.
Moisturize. Just like your skin, moisturizing your nails helps keep them hydrated and healthy. Dr. Leger’s tip: “Keeping your cuticles moisturized can help you to resist the temptation to pick.”
Can fingernails show signs of illness?
Yes, your nails can be a clue to your overall health. Dr. Leger points out that “liver disease, lung disease, kidney disease, and some autoimmune diseases can leave telltale signs on nails or on the skin around them.” For example, dilated blood vessels around the nail fold can be a sign of lupus erythematosus.
Skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and alopecia areata can also affect your nails, says Dr. Leger. These can show up as “little divots, yellow spots, crumbling of the nails, and their failure to grow out.”
The bottom line
Nails can vary from person to person, but healthy nails generally share a few common characteristics. It’s important to know what’s normal for your nails, so that you notice any changes in the health of your nails.
To keep your nails and surrounding skin healthy, eat a well-rounded whole foods diet, keep your nails clean and trim, and avoid picking or biting them. If you notice new, unusual, and lasting changes to your nails — like different colors or textures — you should have them checked out by a primary care provider or a dermatologist.
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References
Abdullah, L., et al. (2011). Common nail changes and disorders in older people. Canadian Family Physician.
Burcovschii, S., et al. (2022). Nail clubbing. StatPearls.
