Nails aren’t only for decorating with fun colors. They help protect our fingers and toes from injury and make it easier to grip things.
Our nails can also tell us a lot about our overall health, according to Dr. Shari Lipner, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center who specializes in treating nail disorders.
Nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, and even heart and liver disease can all manifest in the nails.
Lipner previously spoke to TODAY.com about why it’s important to take breaks from polish to examine the health of your nails and monitor for any new changes in the shape, color or texture.
Many nail irregularities are benign, but they can be a sign of an underlying health issue. There’s one nail health red flag in particular that people should never brush off, Lipner says.
Dermatologist Tip of the Day: Never Ignore A Sudden, Dark Vertical Line on the Nail
If you notice a new dark brown or black vertical line on your nail, don’t ignore it, Lipner says.
Also called
The No. 1 Nail Health Red Flag, According to a Dermatologist
