Not only does your handshake say a lot about you, your hands and nails do too. In fact, your hands and nails hold a lot more of your health secrets than you’d expect.
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From cardiovascular risk to cognitive function, here are four things your hands and nails can tell you about your health…
#1 Finger clubbing
One woman shared a photo of her odd nail shape on Facebook and found out it was a symptom of cancer. As Cosmo reveals, Jean Taylor noticed that her nails were starting to look out of the ordinary – they began to curl over. Jean posted an image of her nails on Facebook asking if anyone had ever seen nails like hers. People urged her to go to the Doctor, which Jean admitted in a follow-up Facebook post, seemed a “tad extreme”. But as it turns out her peculiar nail shape is also known as ‘finger clubbing’ and can be a sign of heart and lung disease.
“I was rushed for blood tests and a chest xray, 2 days later i got a phone call to go for a CT scan, 2 days later a PET scan and more blood test, the day later a breathing test on my lungs and a scan on my heart, the day later an MRI scan then a lung biopsy,” Jean recounted in the same Facebook post. “After a gruelling 2 weeks, yesterday I got my results…….Cancer in both my lungs !!!!. When your nails curve its often linked to heart and lung disease and its official term is ” clubbing” i had no idea….Did You ???? Hope this post can help someone else in the early stages of cancer.”
#2 Grip strength and cognitive function
Got a firm handshake? Your brain is probably firing then. A 2018 study revealed that grip strength is significantly associated with brain functioning. The study found that higher grip strength (which is a good indicator of muscular strength) was positively related to reaction speed, problem-solving, and memory.
#3 Dry, cracked or brittle nails
If your nails are no longer the smooth and strong surfaces they used to be, it could mean you have a dietary deficiency. Dry, cracked and brittle nails can also be linked to anemia, endocrine disorders and metabolic problems.
#4 Grip strength and heart strength
More good news for those with a sturdy handshake! Another 2018 study, published in Plos One, has associated better handgrip strength with a lower risk of cardiovascular events. Score!
Looking after your hands and nails
Keen to take better care of your hands and nails now? Good! Make sure you trim your nails regularly and apply a moisturising hand cream over your hands, nails and cuticles.
beautyheaven loves Manicare Nail Clippers – With Nail File, Sally Hansen Clip-N-Catch, Aveeno Active Naturals Intense Relief Hand Cream and Dr. LeWinn’s Hand & Nail Cream.
Have you ever hands or nails ever indicated a health issue?
