Ella Scott
An expert has explained how abnormal nails can indicate you’re suffering from severe health problems.
Have you ever seen fingers or toenails that appear wider than usual or almost spongelike?
If so, according to Cancer Research, these changes could mean that you or someone you know is suffering from finger clubbing.
The phenomenon is known as digital clubbing or Hippocratic fingers and seems to happen in stages, sometimes over years.
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Usually a sign of underlying health conditions, finger clubbing is unusual and it’s recommended you speak to a doctor if you’re unsure whether your fingers look abnormal.
But before you book an appointment, an NHS General Practitioner (GP) has outlined a simple way to tell whether or not your fingers could be starting to club.
In a video posted to TikTok, Dr Ahmed said: “You can do all this one test at home to see if you got any serious heart or lung problems.
“This test is called the Schamroth Window Test for finger clubbing.”
Dr Ahmed went on to say that clubbed fingers are usually rounded, extremely white, and feature a very shiny base, before explaining the exact pathophysiology of finger clubbing is not fully known.
“However, the consensus at the moment is generally that it is down to some form of chronically low oxygen levels.
“Clubbing is something we assess for very carefully on a physical examination.
“But you can have some serious causes - one of the causes in lung cancer, other lung causes can include bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis or a lung abscess.”
After also telling viewers that clubbed fingers can be a sign of congenital heart disease, infective endocarditis and inflammatory bowel disease, the medical expert revealed exactly how you can check your health at home.
First, you need to bring the fingertips of your left and right index fingers.
“There should be a very small window at the base of both the fingernails.”
As depicted in the video, the ‘window’ that Dr Ahmed is referring to is quite narrow but still visible.
If you did have clubbed fingers, then this ‘window’ wouldn’t actually be visible at all because the nails wouldn’t be able to get close enough.
Following the TikToker’s advice, users flocked to the comments section to have their say.
One viewer typed: “Nobody has taken my husband seriously about his clubbed nails he’s had since a teen.”
A second said: “Your example is extreme! People should Google various stages.”
“My husband has this he refuses to go to doctor he hasn’t been to a doctor in 12 years,” replied someone else.
Another confirmed: “I have clubbing because I have Cystic fibrosis.”
The NHS advises that anyone who believes they are suffering from finger clubbing can refer themselves to a podiatrist.