Your fingernails grow at an average rate of 3 millimetres per month. Toenails are slower — about 1 millimetre per month. Over the course of a year, your nails completely regenerate. That means your nails are a running log of your body's health over the last 6-12 months. Changes in nail appearance — colour, texture, shape, thickness — can signal nutritional deficiencies, systemic conditions, or localised infections long before other symptoms appear. This guide covers the seven most common nail health warning signs that we see at Jeannie Nails, what they mean, and when you should see a healthcare provider.
Nail pitting appears as small, pinpoint depressions in the nail plate. It looks like someone pressed the tip of a needle into the nail surface repeatedly. Pitting is caused by disrupted keratinisation in the nail matrix — the cells that form the nail are not maturing properly. The most common cause is psoriasis (up to 50% of people with nail psoriasis have skin psoriasis as well). Pitting can also appear in reactive arthritis, alopecia areata, and, in rare cases, eczema.
What to do: If you notice persistent pitting in multiple nails, photograph it and track it over 2-3 months. If it spreads or worsens, see a dermatologist. Nail psoriasis can be treated with topical medications, UV therapy, or systemic treatments depending on severity. At the salon, tell your nail tech if you have psoriasis — they will adjust their technique to avoid aggravating the nail bed.
Our techs use gentler buffing and acetone-free removers for clients with nail psoriasis. Mention it before your service and we adjust accordingly.
These deep horizontal grooves or ridges that run across the nail from one side to the other. Because they cross the entire nail width simultaneously, they indicate an event that temporarily stopped nail growth — like a pause button was pressed on the nail matrix. The ridge appears weeks after the triggering event (fingernails grow 3 mm/month, so a ridge 6 mm from the cuticle happened about 2 months ago). Causes include high fever or severe illness (pneumonia, COVID-19, scarlet fever), chemotherapy, major surgery under general anaesthesia, severe malnutrition, or a traumatic injury to the nail matrix.
What to do: Beau's lines are almost always temporary. As the nail continues growing, the ridge moves toward the tip and is clipped off. Full resolution takes 6-12 months. If you have Beau's lines without a known illness history, see your primary care provider to rule out undiagnosed conditions. Multiple sets of Beau's lines at different distances from the cuticle indicate repeated episodes and should always be investigated.
The nail becomes thin, soft, and scooped out — like a spoon. The centre of the nail dips downward instead of curving upward, and the nail may be brittle enough to hold a drop of water on the surface. Spoon nails are strongly linked to iron deficiency anaemia. The nail matrix needs adequate iron to produce strong, properly shaped keratin. When iron stores are low, the nail grows thin and concave. Other causes include hypothyroidism, Raynaud's disease, and repeated occupational trauma (hairdressers, mechanics whose hands are exposed to chemicals or petroleum).
What to do: If you notice spooning in one or more fingernails (especially the index and ring fingers), ask your doctor for a ferritin test. Iron deficiency anaemia is easily treated with supplementation or dietary changes. Once iron levels normalise, the nails grow out normally over 6-8 months. Do not start iron supplements without a blood test — excess iron is also harmful.
Yellow nails that are not caused by dark nail polish staining can indicate several conditions. The most common is a fungal infection (onychomycosis) — the nail becomes yellow, thickened, and may lift from the nail bed. Fungal infections are more common on toenails (80% of cases) and in people who wear closed-toe shoes for long hours, have diabetes, or frequent public pools and gym showers. Less common causes: yellow nail syndrome (a rare condition associated with respiratory issues and lymphoedema), chronic bronchitis, thyroid disease, and psoriasis.
What to do: If one or two nails are yellowing, it is likely fungal. Our medicated pedicure ($35) includes antifungal soak and sterile tooling. For fungal infections covering 3+ nails, oral antifungal medication from a doctor is more effective than topical treatments. If all nails are yellowing simultaneously, see your doctor to rule out systemic conditions. At the salon, we use separate, sterilised tools for fungal nails to prevent cross-contamination and follow Health Canada disinfection protocols.
Clubbing is the gradual enlargement of the fingertip with increased nail curvature. The nail curves downward like the back of a spoon, the angle between the nail and cuticle (Lovibond angle) exceeds 180 degrees, and the fingertip feels spongy when pressed. Clubbing is the most medically significant nail change — it is strongly associated with lung conditions (lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis), congenital heart defects, and inflammatory bowel disease. About 15% of people with lung cancer present with clubbing before any other symptom.
What to do: Clubbing is not reversible and does not resolve on its own. If you notice your fingertips changing shape over months, see a doctor immediately. Request a chest X-ray and pulmonary function test. Early detection makes a significant difference in outcomes for the underlying conditions. This is the one nail change where our advice is: do not wait, do not book a manicure, book a doctor's appointment today.
Nails that split vertically, peel in layers, or break easily at the free edge. This is the most common nail complaint we hear at Jeannie Nails, and it has many possible causes. Frequent wet-dry cycles (washing hands, dishwashing, hand sanitizer) is the most common cause — the nail absorbs water and expands, then dries and contracts, weakening the keratin bonds. Harsh chemicals in acetone-based polish removers strip natural oils from the nail plate. Hypothyroidism causes dry, brittle nails. Biotin deficiency (rare in people with balanced diets) affects keratin production. And frequent gel polish application with aggressive removal (prying or peeling off gel) can strip the top layers of the natural nail.
What to do: For 90% of clients, the fix is behavioural: wear gloves for dishwashing, switch to acetone-free remover, apply cuticle oil daily (it seals the nail plate), and never peel off gel polish (soak properly). Give your nails a 2-week break from polish every 3-4 months. If splitting persists despite these changes, ask your doctor to check thyroid function and iron levels. We carry a biotin-rich cuticle oil at the front desk — free application with any service.
The most common nail myth is that white spots mean a calcium deficiency. This is false. White spots on nails — punctate leukonychia — are almost always caused by minor trauma to the nail matrix. You bumped your nail against something days or weeks ago, and the impact disrupted keratinisation in a small area of the matrix. As the nail grew, the damaged keratin appeared as a white spot. The spot moves toward the tip at 3 mm/month and is clipped off within 3-6 months. True leukonychia affecting the entire nail surface (total leukonychia) is rare and can be caused by hereditary conditions, arsenic poisoning (extremely rare today), or severe systemic illness. But the small white spots you are worried about? That is from bumping your hand against a drawer handle, a countertop, or your keyboard. It does not mean you need more calcium.
What to do: Nothing. Track it over time — if the spot moves toward the tip with nail growth, it is trauma. If it spreads or new spots appear without known injury, mention it to your doctor at your next visit. In the meantime, a gel polish manicure ($10) will cover any spots you are self-conscious about.
As a general rule: if the change affects all 20 nails symmetrically (pitting, ridges, colour change, or shape change across all fingers and toes), it is likely a systemic condition — see your doctor. If the change affects 1-2 nails asymmetrically, it is likely localised trauma or infection — your nail tech can help assess and treat where appropriate. Signs that always warrant a doctor visit: clubbing, Beau's lines without known illness, nail colour changes (green, black, or dark brown extending from cuticle to tip), and pain or swelling around the nail.
Every new client at Jeannie Nails receives a complimentary nail health assessment before their first service. Your nail tech examines your nails under our magnifying lamp, checks for any of the signs above, and notes any conditions that affect your service selection. If we observe something that needs medical attention, we will tell you directly and recommend a doctor — no upselling, no unnecessary services. Your health comes first. $10 Hands/Feet · $20 Both. Walk-ins welcome.
Free nail health check with every first visit. No appointment needed. Sheet Harbour, NS.
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