"White/yellow/greenish discolouration and thickening at the end of the nail spreads gradually to involve the whole nail which may be thick and brittle," said Practical Diabetes. It added: "The distorted nail can become sharp or break off, and can dig into neighbouring toes."
Nail Health & Diabetes
In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue and become brittle. This is often associated with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails. In certain cases, this yellowing of nails can be a sign of a nail infection.
Summary. People with diabetes are vulnerable to infections in and around the nails, including Gram-negative bacteria or fungi. Neuropathy and glycaemia increase the risk, as does damage to the nail or adjacent skin, for example by distorted or sharp-edged nails. It is vital to have good nail care in both hands and feet ...
The skin and nails of patients with diabetes tend to take on a yellow hue, probably due to metabolism of glucose which has become linked to protein. This hue is most evident in the nails, especially distally, but occasionally evident in the skin.
Loss of hair on your toes, feet, and lower legs. Dry, cracked skin on your feet. A change in the color and temperature of your feet. Thickened, yellow toenails.
Diabetes are more prone to infection, and fungi and bacteria can transfer from clipping or foot care tools to any open wounds.
Your nails can develop concave or spoon-shaped dents if you have kidney disease. Additionally, they may have a yellow overcoat or an unnatural white and red-brown coloration that divides the nail in half. Plus, they can also become brittle or get detached from the skin.
Nails may take on a bluish tinge if the body lacks adequate oxygen. Heart disease and emphysema may cause this. If you aren't under a doctor's care for an oxygen-related condition, make an appointment to find out what is causing the color change.
Terry's nails is a type of nail discoloration. The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging.
Split, cracked, or brittle nails may be due to thyroid disease, psoriasis, frequent hand washing, or medications. When this symptom is accompanied by yellowness it can also indicate a fungal infection. Healthy nails should be smooth and have a consistent color.
The symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty, passing more urine than usual, and feeling tired all the time. The symptoms occur because some or all of the glucose stays in your blood and isn't used as fuel for energy. Your body tries to get rid of the excess glucose in your urine.
“Poor circulation can make your feet less able to fight infection. Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling, so if you injure your foot you may not know it,” says Dr. Tsimikas said. “This makes cuts and nicks in the nail salon something you really want to avoid if you have diabetes.”
Hard, thickening skin
The fingers can become stiff and difficult to move. If diabetes has been poorly controlled for years, it can feel like you have pebbles in your fingertips. Hard, thick, and swollen-looking skin can spread, appearing on the forearms and upper arms.
Diabetes is a chronic condition that can have a wide range of effects on a person's body. In some people, diabetes can cause hair thinning or hair loss. The primary causes of hair loss in people with diabetes are uncontrolled blood sugar levels, emotional and physical stress, and hormone imbalances.
The most common are diabetes and psoriasis. Diabetics often have reduced blood flow to their feet, which may cause thicker toenails or numbness. With psoriasis, the nail may lift away from the toe. Make sure you take good care of yourself to avoid complications of either diabetes or psoriasis.
2 Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.
Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.
Koilonychia is indented nails. Instead of growing straight, your nails look concave, like spoons. In many people, koilonychia is a sign of iron deficiency. Usually, you can get rid of spoon nails by treating the underlying cause.
Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tip of the finger. It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS. Puffy redness near the cuticle can indicate inflammation, a bacteria or yeast infection, Lupus, or other connective tissue disease.
Nail and hand changes in interstitial lung disease. A – yellowing and thickening of the nails and cracking of the skin along the lateral aspects of the index, middle and ring fingers; B – improvements in symptoms following treatment.
But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.
Common symptoms of diabetes: Urinating often. Feeling very thirsty. Feeling very hungry—even though you are eating.