Good Lifestyle

Many health problems arise with invisible symptoms, or bringing such subtle signs that you need to pay attention to your own body to suspect that there is something wrong. Even the half moon of our nail, that visible part of the root of nails, can bring evidence of some condition.

What is the half moon I see in my nails?

Officially called Lunula, the half moon we see at the base of our nails is just above the cuticle and usually has a lighter color than the color of our skin. The lunula is part of the nail matrix, the fabric that is below the nail and contains the blood vessels and nerves. It is the matrix that produces the rigid part of the nail we can see.
Not all of us have lunulas on all nails, and this is considered normal. However, if you worry about some point in this article, whether it is the full absence of lunulas or some kind of change in appearance, consult your doctor on the subject.

How do I know if my lunulas are normal?

The healthy lunulas are clear and whitish, and occupy a small piece of your nail. Generally, they are more visible in the thumb, and a little more subtle in the indicator. On other fingers, they can be imperceptible or quite weak, and in the little girl they may not even appear.

What if I don't have lunulas?

Small or absent lunulas are completely normal as they may simply be hidden under the skin or under the cuticle.
However, if you notice the absence of lunulas combined with other signs, such as weakness, fatigue or tiredness without apparent reasons, you may have some nutritional deficiency, such as lack of vitamin B12. These can also be symptoms of anemia, malnutrition and depression, so it is important to consult health professionals.

What if they are too big?

Lunulas do not usually occupy more than 25% of the nail area. Researchers suspect that very large lunulas may be associated with cardiovascular problems such as low blood pressure and arrhythmias, but there is nothing proven by scientific studies. If your lunulas appear to be too big, you can mention this in your next medical appointment.

Color changes in nail lunula

Are your lunulas apparent, at least in the thumb, but don't they present themselves with the whitish color that is observed as the most common? In this case, abnormal colors may indicate some health problems.

See the colors that the half moon of your nail can stay and what each color can mean:

• CLAR BLUE: It may indicate non -diagnosed or non -controlled diabetes.
• Blue: It may indicate the genetic condition called Wilson's disease, where the body accumulates covers.
• Yellow: It may arise with the extended use of tetracyclines such as doxycycline, EraVicycline, among others.
• Red: may indicate heart failure.
• Brown: It may indicate excess blood fluoride, kidney disease or kidney failure.
• Black: It may indicate excess fluoride in the blood.

If you present the changed lunula in conjunction with other symptoms, it is important to visit a health post or to mention what you have been observing during your annual checkup.

Other Nail Changes

Other changes in the entire nail that have no apparent cause should also be investigated. For example, if your nail is completely bluish, your blood oxygenation may be changed.
Yellow nail syndrome, on the other hand, causes nails to grow slowly and thicken too much, which may be a symptom of some pulmonary disease.
In any case, some of these changes can be caused by the natural aging process, so it is always important to evaluate other signs before worrying.