13 Health Conditions That The Moons On Your Nails Can Show You

Jul 18, 2018

If you examine your fingernails, you can clearly see lighter areas towards the base of your nail. These moon shaped markings are called lunulae. If you take note of their appearances, such as their shape or color, you can be forewarned of your personal predisposition to diseases and even be alerted of the current presence of a particular condition. Being aware of these signs can help you catch a health problem quickly, and these tips can help you decipher what each lunula means.

• The Pinky Finger: The lunula on your littlest finger should always be barely noticeable or not exist entirely. This lunula can be linked to the function of your kidneys, small intestine, and even your heart. A noticeable lunula on this finger can be a symptom of hypertension.
• The Ring Finger: This lunula can be related to your reproductive and lymphatic systems. One that is barely noticeable on your ring finger can be connected to digestive issues.
• The Middle Finger: This lunula is linked to the function of your brain and cardiovascular system. Not having a lunula on this finger can signify hypertension and vascular conditions.
• The Index Finger: If you’re experiencing issues with your intestines, pancreas, or ear, nose, and throat diseases, you might notice your lunula on your index finger decreasing significantly.
• The Thumb: This lunula shows the function of your spleen and lungs. It should be the most noticeable lunula on yo ur hands, but should not be larger than 1/4 of your entire nail. The lunula will be smaller on people who smoke and will be larger on those with hypertension.

How large is too large of a lunula? These moons are considered excessive when they exceed 1/3 or more space on your entire nail. A large lunula can be linked to issues with your cardiovascular function, heartbeat disruption, and even low blood pressure. Some athletes can be noted to have larger lunulae because of their extreme exertion related to physical activity. If your lunulae are larger but you aren’t an athlete, it can be because of a stress level that is above average.

Lunulae that are hardly noticeable beyond your cuticles can point to issues such as low blood pressure and even some circulatory disorders. This symptom can also alert you of an immune system that is weakened, a bad metabolism, lack of iron or lack of vitamin B12. If your lunulae look definitively separate from the other part of your nail and have lines across them, you have complications with your blood sugar level and it can possibly point to a developing condition of diabetes.

Don’t be alarmed if you don’t possess lunulae on your nails or the nails of your children. It’s common that they are noticeably absent on the nails of young children, although they may appear as they age. Due to each person’s individual physiological qualities, some people never develop lunulae. If your lunulae suddenly disappear, however, it can be caused by a circulatory issue. If you notice that your lunulae have left, it may also signify some thyroid disorders and a tendency to be low in vitamins B12 and iron.

1. Gray: A gray coloring on the lunulae can indicate extreme fatigue, digestion issues, and difficulty processing nutrients.
2. White: Lunulae that are white are normal and natural. These areas of your nail are meant to be a few shades lighter than your natural skin color.
3. Purple: Lunulae that appear purple can showcase your poor circulation and a deficit of oxygen for your organs and other tissues. You might often receive headaches or feel dizzy.
4. Pink or Red: This can indicate a sedentary lifestyle or even issues with your lungs.
5. Black: Lunulae that are black are highly uncommon and can be an indicator of an urgent health condition. This change in color alerts you of heavy metal poisoning.

It’s important to examine your fingernails to note any changes in color, shape, or size. Being aware of these signals from your body can help guide you to seek medical attention when it’s necessary. What do your lunulae look like?

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!