Podcast Summary — BBC Lê

Episode: O que as unhas revelam sobre a sua saúde
Date: December 6, 2025
Host: BBC Brasil
Reportagem por: Priscila Carvalho (lida por Silvia Salec)

Overview

This episode is a narrated feature article from BBC News Brasil that explores what your nails can reveal about your general health. Far more than a cosmetic concern, changes in nail color, shape, and texture can be early warning signs of a variety of systemic diseases or nutritional deficiencies. The episode provides practical guidance on what alterations to watch for and when to consult a dermatologist.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Pay Attention to Your Nails?

• Nails, technically termed “lâmina ungueal”, can signal underlying health problems.
• Visual symptoms like color changes, spots, or deformities often precede other more obvious health issues.
• Common disorders reflected in the nails include renal, dermatological, hepatic, endocrine, nutritional, and autoimmune conditions.
• Not all changes signify illness: Routine trauma and neglect, especially of toenails, can cause harmless changes.

Notable Quote:

“Cuidar das unhas é muito mais do que ir a salões de beleza... essa parte do corpo... pode indicar diversos problemas de saúde.”
— Silvia Salec narrating Priscila Carvalho (01:25)

2. Types of Nail Alterations and Their Meanings

A. Color Changes

• White Nails (Unhas esbranquiçadas) [02:46]

  • May indicate mycoses, psoriasis, pneumonia, or even heart failure.

  • Can be caused by poor nutrition, protein deficiency, or anemia (spoon-shaped, pale nails).

  • Leuconíquia: Harmless white spots due to structural change.

    Quote:

    “Ter a unha mais pálida pode indicar também anemia.”
    — Juliana Piquet, dermatologist (03:39)

• Yellow Nails [04:19]

  • Can result from genetics, aging, fungal infections, or psoriasis.
  • More severe cases may signal HIV or kidney disease.
  • Smokers often have yellowing on thumbs and index fingers.

• Bluish Nails [06:00]

  • Rare; linked to certain medications (e.g., acne, malaria treatments).
  • Requires assessment to decide on medication changes.

B. Physical Abnormalities

• White Spots (Pitting) [05:05]

  • Tiny dots due to atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, alopecia areata.

  • Rarely, indicates STDs like syphilis.

    Quote:

    “Quando o furo é certinho, pode estar ligado à alopecia areata.”
    — Juliana Toma, dermatologist (05:22)

• Recurrent Mycoses [06:34]

  • Fungal infections recur if not fully treated.
  • Frequent on toenails; full treatment can take up to 6 months.
  • Recommendation: Avoid risk environments like pools, saunas, and tight shoes.

• Beau’s Lines [07:48]

  • Horizontal ridges often after high fever or chemo treatments.
  • If dark and localized, may indicate melanoma.

• Brittle Nails [08:06]

  • Most often from chemical exposure or dehydration.
  • Diet low in biotin (B7) and B vitamins increases risk.
  • Vegans/vegetarians advised to supplement B12.

• Red Nails [08:33]

  • Red half-moon pattern might suggest lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Red at nail bed, especially after cuticle removal, often signals infection.

    Quote:

    “Cutícula é proteção. Culturalmente, no Brasil, nós a retiramos, mas o ideal é não fazer isso.”
    — Juliana Piquet, dermatologist (08:51)

• Wavy Nails [09:03]

  • Typically from over-aggressive cuticle removal.

  • Avoid gel nails and trauma to prevent damage.

  • Poor healing near nails can indicate diabetes—advanced cases show poor circulation, dark spots or "splinter hemorrhages".

    Quote:

    “A unha fica feia, grossa e com manchas. Pode até ter pontos pretos que são conhecidos como hemorragia de estilhaço.”
    — Juliana Piquet (09:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Causes Beyond Serious Illness [02:20]:

  • “A boa notícia é que nem sempre determinadas variações nas unhas indicam algum problema sério. Muitas vezes, são provocadas pela rotina.”

• On Cuticle Removal [08:51]:

  • “O recomendado é hidratar e não empurrar com força.”

• On Mycoses Prevention [06:54]:

  • “Evite situações e lugares que o exponham ao risco de contaminação, como piscinas, saunas e calçados apertados e quentes.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------| | 01:25 | Introduction: Beyond nail salons | | 02:46 | White nails and nutritional/illness indicators | | 04:19 | Yellow nails: causes and risks | | 05:05 | White spots (pitting), diseases, and hair link | | 06:00 | Blue nails and medication effects | | 06:34 | Mycoses: prevention and treatment duration | | 07:48 | Horizontal ridges and serious implications | | 08:06 | Brittle nails and dietary advice | | 08:33 | Red nails: rheumatologic and infectious causes | | 09:03 | Nail waves, cuticle habits and diabetes | | 09:32 | Splinter hemorrhages as diabetes indicators |

Expert Guidance & Takeaways

• Consult a dermatologist if you observe persistent or unusual changes in your nails.
• Don’t self-diagnose – many nail changes are benign or due to daily habits, but can also be early signs of serious issues.
• Proper nail and cuticle care are crucial—avoid unnecessary trauma, chemicals, and seek professional advice for persistent issues.

This episode offers a clear, practical guide both for nail health and for recognizing when special attention or medical care is warranted, enriched by insights from Brazilian dermatologists.