A healthy nail is a sign of a good diet. But when those strong nails start to break or change color, it’s a good sign that you are lacking some important vitamins. Especially B12 in this case, which is responsible for your Red Blood Cells and DNA Replication.

If, for some reason, your body isn’t getting enough B12, it can cause cobalamin deficiency, which we normally know as B12 deficiency. And that color change in your nails signals that you have that. So today in StyleSpeak we will discuss what this vitamin is and what kind signs you should be watching for.

What is Vitamin B12?

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that your red blood cells and nervous system need to work properly. And when the quantity of B12 drops, it gives rise to a wide range of both physical and mental problems.

Unlike Vitamin D, which our body naturally synthesizes, B12, on the other hand, entirely comes from outside sources. So if your diet doesn’t include drinks with B12, fish, meat, dairy, eggs, supplements, or fortified foods, you are most likely not getting enough B12.

In adults, the usual amount per day is 2.4 micrograms (mcg). While it’s even more for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The amount will differ for younglings and newborns as well.

You may have heard a word called DNA. Yes, it’s the same DNA that carries information about how to synthesize proteins and other enzymes. And since nails won’t grow the right way without that information, it directly affects how good, or bad, those nails of yours look.

Which is why the nail color changes. And the amount of redness pretty much decides how healthy or weak your nails are. Because everything requires red blood cells. And if it’s visible on your nails, soon it may become visible somewhere else. 

If you don’t act quickly, other symptoms will start to appear that will affect your actual nails for real this time. And that’s why nail health is so important. It’s a sign of something big if not taken care of quickly.

Signs Of B12 Deficiency To Watch For

There are quite a few symptoms of B12 deficiency in nails that span from simple to a bit weird. We have compiled a list of nail-related symptoms that are generally related to some sort of deficiency.

Weak Nails

Your fingernails only grow about 3mm per month. So signs of vitamin deficiency don’t show up quickly and may take months. But once they do, you will see weaker or softer nails. Be mindful that environmental damage is the primary cause of weaker nails, and the same goes for extensive exposure to soap and chemicals.

But if you don’t fall within these lines, you may have some kind of vitamin deficiency that is now affecting your nail matrix. It is responsible for your nail growth, and a lack of usable red blood cells will slow down the process, causing softer nails that can break up easily, exposing the delicate bed underneath it. Sometimes they can bleed and cause infections too.

Discoloration

Pale nails are definitely one of the classic symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency. It causes a sort of anemia called megaloblastic anemia. Here, your functioning red blood cells are reduced, and the same goes for oxygen-carrying haemoglobin. 

Since your nail matrix is constantly producing new nails, it is one of the first places where the signs of this anemia start to show. This comes at the price of a paler outlook, like you are seeing now. Sometimes your nails may become thinner, which will make it look even paler than before.

Hyperpigmentation

If you have darker skin, lower B12 levels may stimulate melanin production in your nail matrix. This will start surfacing over your nail plates as dark brown or slightly blue pigmentation. While it’s not that common with fairer skin, you can also see some level of pigmentation if the deficiency has progressed too far.

Vertical Brown Line

Similar to the first one, you will see a vertical ridge of dark brown lines on your nails. It basically means melanin has been infused into your nail and now it’s running down from your nail matrix. The scientific term for this event is Longitudinal Melanonychia, and B12 deficiency is a rather rare trigger for this.

In some rare cases, it can also be caused by Subungual melanoma, which is a type of skin cancer that forms under your nail. Lines look thicker than regular vertical ridges and sometimes can take some weird shapes. 

Conclusion

B12 deficiency doesn’t sound that scary at first. But over time, it turns into a real nightmare. We hope this article helped you realize how crucial nail health is. Make sure to follow StyleSpeak for more interesting topics like this one and subscribe to our monthly magazine for even deeper insights on topics like this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes brittle nails?

Ans. Brittle nails can be caused by many things like trauma, repeated wetting, aging, etc.

What is the most common sign of vitamin deficiency in nails?

Ans. Brittleness or slow nail growth are some of the most common signs of vitamin deficiency in nails.

Does low B12 cause other problems too?

Ans. Since B12 is related to healthy blood cells, the nervous system, and your DNA, it can cause severe physical, neurological, and psychological problems if left untreated.