Changes in the appearance of your fingernails or toenails alert you to information about your whole-body health. When you’re in tune with these signals, you can keep yourself healthy. One symptom to watch for is nail clubbing. This issue develops over time and often indicates an underlying health condition that needs professional care.
Dr. Leonard Greenwald in San Jose, California, helps you recognize the signs of developing nail problems and determine the next steps needed to preserve your health and wellness. Here’s what you need to know about identifying and responding to clubbing in your fingernails or toenails.
Nail clubbing changes the shape and structure of your nails in ways you can easily see. You may notice that your nails seem wider than usual, even starting to wrap the edges of your fingertips. Your nails may develop a rounded, bulbous shape.
You might also notice changes in how your nails feel as clubbing starts. Affected nails may feel softer and more spongy. Your nails may become swollen, red, or feel warm to the touch.
If you notice any of these symptoms of nail clubbing, reach out for medical evaluation. With the right treatment, it’s often possible to reverse the deformity and get your nails back to a normal, healthy state.
In the early stages, you might not realize there’s anything wrong with your nails. As your nails continue to change, though, the problem becomes obvious. This issue often starts in a few nails, most commonly the thumb and/or index finger, and then spreads to other nails.
The earliest signs of nail clubbing include floating nails, meaning your nail feels more mobile or cushioned when pressed, with the nail plate becoming easier to shift as it detaches from the bone. You might notice a soft or cushioned sensation when you press down at the base of your affected nails.
You might also notice a flattened Lovibond angle, meaning the usual slight dip where your nail meets the skin at the base is no longer visible.
In and of itself, nail clubbing isn’t usually painful or otherwise harmful. In some cases, nail clubbing can occur in healthy people without indicating an underlying problem. However, more often, issues with the nails signal potentially serious health conditions that require prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Your clubbed nails could be a symptom associated with a disease in your heart or lungs, such as lung cancer or cardiovascular disease. Your nail problem could also be a result of inflammation from a digestive condition like Crohn’s or celiac disease.
Clubbing can also be associated with conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, a thyroid condition, or cancers like esophageal cancer or Hodgkin lymphoma. The treatment for clubbed nails focuses on addressing the underlying condition causing the changes in your nails.
If the problem originates in your heart, you may need surgery. If you have cancer, you may need chemotherapy or radiation. If hyperthyroidism is the culprit, medication management may be the treatment you need.
It’s worth noting that nail clubbing often reverses after the underlying condition is treated, but not always. You may live with ongoing nail clubbing even after being restored to full health.
What’s most important is paying attention to the possible warning signs being given by your nails and seeking evaluation and diagnosis for any potentially serious or life-threatening medical conditions.
For support with suspected nail clubbing, contact Dr. Greenwald online or over the phone today to schedule an appointment.
