What do normal nails look like?
Nails are not only a part of our body but also reflect our health. Understanding the appearance and characteristics of normal nails can help identify potential health problems early. The following is a detailed analysis of normal nails.
1. Appearance characteristics of normal nails

Healthy nails typically have the following characteristics:
| feature | describe |
|---|---|
| color | It is light pink or flesh-colored, and appears healthy when the nail bed has sufficient blood supply. |
| surface | Smooth and flat, no dents, bumps or cracks |
| shape | The edges are rounded to match the shape of your fingertips without being overly curved or flat. |
| thickness | Even and moderate, no abnormal thickening or thinning |
| growth rate | Fingernails grow about 3-4 mm per month, and toenails grow more slowly. |
2. Recent hot health topics (last 10 days)
Combined with the hot content on the Internet in the past 10 days, the following are popular discussions related to nail health:
| topic | heat index | Key content |
|---|---|---|
| Are the white spots on nails due to calcium deficiency? | ★★★★☆ | Experts clarify that white spots are mostly caused by minor trauma and are not directly related to calcium deficiency |
| The harm of manicure to nail health | ★★★★★ | Frequent manicures may lead to nail thinning, fungal infections and other problems |
| The relationship between vertical nail lines and health | ★★★☆☆ | Most vertical lines are a normal aging phenomenon, but if they suddenly increase, you need to be alert. |
| Nail abnormalities after COVID-19 | ★★★☆☆ | Reports of Beau's lines (lateral depressions) occurring in some recovered patients |
3. Warning signs of abnormal nails
Here are common signs of nail abnormalities and the health problems they may indicate:
| abnormal behavior | Possible reasons | suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing and thickening | Fungal infection (onychomycosis) | Seek medical attention promptly to avoid infection |
| spatula | iron deficiency anemia | Check blood routine and supplement iron supplements |
| Black vertical stripes | Onychomycosis or melanoma | See a dermatologist as soon as possible |
| nail bed separation | Psoriasis or thyroid disease | Check for systemic diseases |
4. Tips for keeping your nails healthy
1.Scientific pruning: Use sterilized nail clippers to maintain appropriate length and avoid being too short.
2.Moderately moisturizing: When applying hand cream, pay attention to massaging the skin around the nails.
3.protective measures: Wear gloves when doing housework to avoid direct contact with chemicals
4.balanced diet: Ensure protein, vitamin (especially biotin) and mineral intake
5.observe changes: Check the condition of your nails regularly and seek medical attention promptly if any abnormalities persist.
5. Common misunderstandings about nails
•Misunderstanding 1: The more crescents, the healthier (actually not directly related to health)
•Misunderstanding 2: Hard nails mean healthy (excessive hardness may be a symptom of pathology)
•Misunderstanding 3: Nail growth rate is constant (affected by factors such as age, season, nutrition, etc.)
•Misunderstanding 4: All vertical lines are abnormal (slight vertical lines are a common aging phenomenon)
Understanding the characteristics of normal nails and paying attention to their changes can help us better maintain overall health. If you find persistent abnormal changes in your nails, it is recommended to consult a professional doctor in time.
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