Dr Donald Grant, a GP based in Bristol and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, points out that our hands can tell us a lot about our health, saying: “It is essential to understand the signs of illness and how to detect changes in the hands to avoid a further decline in well-being.” “.
Dr. Grant explains the signs that can be noticed on the hands and what they mean for our health:
1. Nails
“A range of health issues can lead to changes in the appearance and texture of nails,” Dr. Gantt explains.
First, ingrown nails, where small scratches or pits form on the surface of the nails and can indicate psoriasis, and in severe cases, can cause the nails to crumble.
Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disease that causes dry, flaky patches to appear on the skin.
“In addition, yellow nails can be an indicator of a range of health problems, including fungal infections or underlying health conditions, such as lung disease,” the doctor says. In the latter case, it is often called “yellow nail syndrome” and causes swelling and breathing problems.
2. Skin
Dr. Grant emphasizes that the appearance and texture of our skin can also change “quickly” when we get sick.
He says, “Palmar erythema is a skin condition that causes the palms to turn red. It can also cause a burning sensation and affects people for a range of reasons, including pregnancy.” However, it can also be a sign of troubling health conditions, such as lymphoma or liver disease.”
When we don’t take enough vitamins, such as calcium or vitamin D, dry spots can appear on our hands. Dry skin may also be a sign of eczema, a broad term for skin conditions that often take the form of an itchy and sometimes debilitating rash.
3. Joint stiffness
Dr. Grant warns that if your hands start to creak painfully while you move, this could be a sign of osteoarthritis, an umbrella term for more than 100 types of arthritis conditions, all of which can worsen for different reasons — most of which have nothing to do with age.
Among these 100 conditions, osteoporosis is one of the most common. Degenerative joint disease slowly erodes the padding in the fingers, primarily affecting the base of the thumb and middle joints but causing pain in the entire hand.
“While osteoporosis can be difficult to treat, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can be used to relieve pain and swelling, and exercise can help relieve stiffness,” says Dr. Grant.
4. Cold hands
If you experience cold hands even when the weather is not cold, this is usually a sign of poor circulation, but it may also be a sign of anemia, when we have fewer healthy red blood cells in the body. This condition can occur, for example, due to a lack of iron in our diet.
Dr Grant explains: “Apart from anaemia, cold hands may also indicate an underlying health condition such as diabetes or blood clots. “If you notice a long-term change in hand temperature, it may be best to seek additional medical advice.”
5. Thick fingers
Monitoring the size of your fingers can help detect “life-threatening diseases” early.
Dr. Grant says: “Common symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis – a type of lung disease – include widening of the fingers and curvature of the nails. Polydactyly, where the fingers become much wider in appearance, may be a sign of sickle cell disease, tuberculosis, or a bacterial infection. “With so many potentially serious causes, I strongly advise people to seek urgent medical attention if they notice any changes in their fingers.”
Source: Metro
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