Many diseases and serious conditions can be detected by changes in the nails. Your doctor probably examines them for evidence of underlying disease without you even realizing it.
Nails are an extension of our skin.
They are produced by living skin cells in the fingers and toes. Malnutrition, crash dieting or eating disorders can affect your nails. And your nail growth rate is affected by disease, hormone imbalance and aging. Nail disorders make up about 10 percent of all skin conditions. Nails take a lot of abuse.