What your nails say about your health: 7 signs you shouldn't ignore

Some people might feel frustrated that they have thin nails that break easily, and anecdotally, I've heard many people say this is precisely why they get their nails treated professionally to combat breakage. However, thin nails might be a result of overexposure to chemicals such as detergents or nail polish remover. According to Scripps online doctors, thin nails might also be a sign that you have low levels of calcium, iron or vitamin B.

According to Joshua Zeichner, professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, via BBC Health, peeling nails, which is also known as onychoschizia, is likely caused by lifestyle factors rather than health. So if you're worried about your peeling nails, it's usually rectifiable. Joshua explained that excessive hand washing and the use of acrylic nail treatments (ask any nail tech and they'll confirm acrylics are notoriously bad for your nails). Stick to treatments that nourish the nails.

The Mayo Clinic states that Beau's lines, which are horizontal ridges across the nails, occur when nail growth stops temporarily due to illness or injury. Some conditions that may cause Beau's lines are uncontrolled diabetes, illnesses that cause a high fever or pneumonia and general infections. They also state that some types of medicines can cause the ridges, so it's best to consult your doctor if you're worried about this.

Scripps explains that if a nail separates from the nailbed, it's likely due to injury or infection. However, in some cases, a separated nailbed might be an indication of a health issue linked to psoriasis. Usually, the nail grows back normally once treated, but if not, consult your doctor for further treatment.

Holly Wilkinson, a lecturer in wound healing at the University of Hull, told the BBC that if you have yellow discolouration, particularly on your toenails, it's a sign of a fungal infection. Fortunately, an over-the-counter course of treatment usually does the trick of sorting out the issue, but if it persists, consult your doctor.

Scripps states that curved or "clubbed" nails occur when the fingertips enlarge and the growing nails curve around them, giving them a large 'club' shape. "This is a gradual process that often develops over several years and may be inherited, or may be associated with lung disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease or liver disease," they state. "Call your doctor to have clubbed nails evaluated and rule out that it could be from an underlying disease."

Scripps also says that white spots are "usually not harmful", but they could be a sign of a fungal infection, an allergic reaction, or possibly a zinc deficiency. However, they can often occur due to injury or from frequent manicures, so a break from the gel from time to time might not be a bad idea.