Nail color and health: what your nails can reveal about your body

3. Brown or beige nails

A brown tint or dark streaks on the nails can sometimes be natural, especially in people with dark skin. However, a sudden or uneven brown discoloration should not be ignored. It can indicate thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, or, in rare cases, melanoma (a type of skin cancer that affects the nail bed).

4. Red nails

Red nails can sometimes be a sign of cardiovascular stress. They may be associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, or circulatory problems. Furthermore, red streaks under the nails can appear after an injury, but they can also be a symptom of endocarditis (infection of the inner lining of the heart). Persistent redness of the nails should be evaluated by a doctor.