By Ellie – Daisy Moo
Mooeys Horsham
We often see nails as just a canvas for colour and creativity, but they can actually tell us a lot about what’s going on beneath the surface. Your natural nails are surprisingly good health indicators, and changes in colour, shape or texture can sometimes point to things happening elsewhere in your body.
Here’s what to look out for and when it might be time to check in with your GP.
Brittle, Crumbly or Discoloured Nails?
If your nails are brittle, crumbly, and have a green or yellow tinge, it could be a sign of a fungal infection. In more advanced cases, you might notice a “honeycomb” texture forming between the nail plate and the nail bed. This type of infection is very common, especially if nails have lifted or been damaged, and it’s best caught early, so don’t be afraid to get it checked out. For more information, check out our blog on onycholysis and greenies HERE that can lead to fungal infections below!
Stained or Yellow Nails.. Could It Be Polish?
If you love a good mani (who doesn’t?), be mindful of how long you’re leaving polish on. Discolouration can often be caused by overusing nail polish, especially if a protective base coat hasn’t been used or the polish has been left on for too long. If you’re seeing staining or yellowing, give your nails a break and let them recover.
Our ‘Little Treat for the Hands’ treatment is perfect for giving your nails a refresh while they recover, a gentle clean-up, some hydration, and no harsh chemicals. You’ll be surprised how quickly they bounce back with a bit of TLC!
In some cases, if you don’t wear polish and still notice yellow or pale nails, it could be a sign of a vitamin B12 deficiency, so it’s worth looking into with your GP or nutritionist.
Spoon-Shaped or Indented Nails?
Nails that dip or curve upwards at the edges can be a sign of an iron deficiency. It’s quite a subtle change at first, but if your nails start to look unusually thin or start scooping inward, it’s definitely worth speaking to your doctor, especially if you’re feeling tired or low on energy.
What Are Beau’s Lines?
If you’ve ever noticed deep horizontal grooves across your nail plate, these are called Beau’s Lines. They’re often caused by illness or a big shift in your health like surgery, trauma, or are undergoing medical treatment such as chemotherapy. They show where nail growth temporarily slowed down, and usually grow out over time if you’re on the mend.
If caused by injury to the nail matrix (where your nail begins to grow), the grooves may hang around a little longer or even be permanent if the nail bed has been severely damaged, but your Mooeys therapist can always help with gentle shaping and caring for the nail while it recovers.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While we can spot signs and help care for your nails in the salon, anything that looks unusual or persistent should always be checked by your GP. Nails are part of your body’s wider health system and they often give us little nudges when something’s not quite right.
A Healthy Nail Routine
Even if your nails look fine, regular maintenance is key to keeping them happy. Hydration (hello, cuticle oil), regular tidies, and giving your nails a break between treatments can go a long way in supporting healthy growth.
If you’re ever unsure, just pop in and speak to one of our therapists, we’ll take a look, recommend the right treatment, and always let you know if we think something needs a medical opinion. At Mooeys, we care about your nails from the inside out.
For more information on nail health and what to look out for, please visit NHS
We hope this helps and look forward to seeing you soon
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