The unusual nail markings thought to be a sign of coronavirus
By now we're all familiar with coronavirus symptoms - with a high temperature, dry cough and loss of taste or smell amongst the most common. You've also likely seen reports about multiple COVID-19 sufferers dealing with aching muscles, hearing loss, poor appetite and headaches too, and as scientists and researchers learn more about this still relatively new disease it's to be expected that further symptoms are to be identified.
Now, Tim Spector, an epidemiologist, Principal Investigator of the PREDICT studies and the ZOE COVID-19 Symptom Study app (which tracks virus-related data and is backed by the government), has shared some interesting information about how your nails could also be a predictor that you've had coronavirus too.
Taking to Twitter, Spector shared an image of hand with nails featuring obvious lines and grooves in them. He added alongside the photo, "Do your nails look odd? COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless."
Do your nails look odd? COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless pic.twitter.com/Q1Lfdrc9Dc
— Tim Spector (@timspector) May 3, 2021
Since sharing the tweet, many others have pointed out that nails with lines running through them can also be an indicator of low vitamin levels, something that scientists are also investigating with regards to the virus. Some studies have already shown that low vitamin D levels and COVID-19 are linked, but it's still not known in exactly what way.
Speaking about nail lines to Health, dermatologist Doris Day MD said that nail growth can be impacted by severe stress, or an illness, and that both fingernails and toenails can be impacted. "When you have major physiological stress, like an illness, you basically have a shifting in the nail cycle." Day added that if you've had coronavirus, it will likely take two to three months for our nails to reflect that (if they do at all).
The NHS website adds that the majority of nail problems aren't caused by coronavirus, but rather other factors including:
Injuries or biting of the nails
Staining (e.g. by smoking or wearing certain nail varnish colours)
Not regularly trimming your nails, or cutting them at an angle
Using cleaning products regularly or often having your hands in water
A fungal infection
However, nails that suddenly look different to normal, or that feature lines and grooves, can also be a symptom of something more serious, such as:
Nail psoriasis
Iron deficiency anaemia
A thyroid problem
Diabetes
Heart, lung or liver disease
At present, the NHS does not formally recognise changes to nails as a side effect of coronavirus.
So, if you've had COVID-19 yourself and have since noticed a few changes in the finger area, this could be why – but, as ever, our advice would be to book in with your GP for a quick chat to discuss it. Likewise, if there's ever anything else about your body that's causing you concern.
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