HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Fingernail cuticles are seemingly too thin. does this indicate anemia?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Aasim Sehbai answered

Specializes in Medical Oncology

Nail thinning: Koilonychia meaning thinning or spooning of nail can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. It also causes a craving for chewing ice called pica and glossitis and risk for esophageal webs, syndrome called patterson kelley syndrome.

Answered 2/22/2013

5.3k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

One of my fingernails is black by the cuticle and on the front. It doesn't wash off. Is it a fungus?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My fingernails hurt all of a sudden when i removed nailpolish, is there anything to make the pain go away? Any lotions or cuticle oil/creams?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

After a fingernail infection, inflammation's gone but flesh's detached from the nail at the base where cuticle should be. How to make it normal again?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

What does it mean when your fingernails itch in the crevices. and your thumb is itchy under the cuticle?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My fingernails are peeling from the base near the cuticle. 8/10 nails doing this. Don't wear nail polish/false nails. Have not hurt nails. What is it?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

I was recently diagnosed with anemia and my fingernails are turning a yellowish color. Is this a common symptom?
Tops of fingernails turning white and spreading, im hypocondriac and worried! is it anemia?
Symptoms of hypoxia but normal s02?!; shortness of breath, blue nails, clubbing fingernails, pale/gray skin, tachycardia, fatigue, anxious. No anemia,
My 12 yr old boy has brown finger nails and toe nails. Is that a anemia or vitamin deficiency? He's tried a lot.
Overnight, I have a black vertical line from cuticle to edge of my right little finger nail. Very thin-around 0.5-1 mm wide. No trauma. What is it?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.