Hi.

I've been vegan for almost a year now, and about 2 months ago, I started noticing my fingernails have a slightly discolored band at the tips, underneath the normal white tip. Over the past two months, it has become more noticeable. From what I've read, this can be from cirrhosisof the liver, which I don't believe I have, congestive heart failure, which I don't believe I have, or a vitamin deficiency, which would make sense, since I'm vegan.

I take a multi AND a sublingual b12 every single day.

Does anyone know what I need to do, or does anyone else have this problem with their fingernails?

I actually think my nails have become stronger since going vegan. I have to cut them off insead of tearing them because they don't want to tear anymore. It's like they have polish on them, but they don't...

well, mine havent lost strength, they arent brittle, or weak, they're okay except the discoloration.

Have you changed your dish soaps or hand soaps at all? Are you diabetic? Believe it or not, yeast infections can happen right under the nail (where you're describing) if you have your hands frequently in water or are diabetic.

ETA: Check this out. It's pretty interesting.http://www.aad.org/public/Publications/pamphlets/NailHealth.htm

Liver Diseases-White Nails
Kidney Diseases-Half of nail is pink, half is white
Heart Conditions-Nail bed is red
Lung Diseases-Yellowing and thickening of the nail, slowed growth rate
Anemia-Pale nail beds
Diabetes-Yellowish nails, with a slight blush at the base

Hmm, nope, I'm not diabetic, and I was dishes sometimes, but usually I use the dishwasher.

Yeah, when I first started noticing symptoms, I looked it up online to see what the deal was, and I learned that nails can show signs of ill health, which is why I decide to post to see if anyone else had the same thing.

Mine have gotten much stronger and shinier than they were before!!

Zinc or calcium deficiency? Did your skin change, too?

Ah. My fingernails are that way, but they've always been, as much as I can remember anyway. It kinda looks like a shadow almost?

My nails have a darker pink strip at the very top of the nail bed before the white nail. Is this what you're referring to? I thought that was normal. :worried:

Several months ago, in that same area I had white valleys appearing where the dark pink ring is now. Now that was a problem. My doctor thought it was a dietary deficiency, but apparently it has since improved.

IamJen - Yes, exactly. You seem to be describing what I'm talking about. It wouldn't bother me except (being the hypochondriac that I am) I've seen many reputable web sites (like the mayo clinic) say that it could be a symptom of a major health issue or malnutrition (vitamin deficiency).

Jinga - The white valleys you're referring to sounds like what I'm talking about, too, as depending on the light, they may appear darkish, or whitish. How did you get rid of them, or what dietary/lifestyle changes did you make to make them go away, or return to normal, small pinkish bands?

Lothar M Kirsch - My skin hasn't undergone any changes at all. I'll check into those vitamins and see if I'm deficient.

Thanks for everyone's replies btw.

Hm. I wonder if it could be iron related? My nails are generally very pale, and the doc said that it's one of the symptoms/signs of being a bit anemic. She never mentioned the little shadow strip, but it could be that it shows up more on pale nails or something. Hm.

PS...If it's something that's changed, I definitely don't think you're being a hypochondriac, just careful :D

Here's a visual: http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g148/_jenny_r/Fingers/DSCF0011crop.jpg

You can see the upper finger has a white area where it's supposed to be pink. The lower finger shows what it usually looks like. I'm really not sure what caused it to start, spread to all my fingers, then go away. I eat horribly so it could be any number of nutrients that I'm lacking.

Do yours look anything like that?