Hands are a barometer of our well-being and the slightest change can mean a serious health problem in other parts of the body.

Nails

Your nails should be pink. If they have a green to yellow tint, you probably have a yeast infection and should see a doctor for treatment. In addition, yellow nails can also be a sign of lung disease. Brown spots under the nails can indicate certain health problems, and pitted nails, where an otherwise smooth surface has some small indentations, are usually associated with psoriasis. If you notice unexplained changes in the color of your nails, you should see a doctor. If your nail looks the opposite of this, like a spoon, it is a sign of iron deficiency and anemia. You can correct this by taking iron supplements and including more green vegetables and some red meat in your diet. When the nail takes the shape of a ball, it is even more alarming, as it can mean a serious illness, such as lung cancer or heart problems. See your doctor if your nails become soft and seem to float instead of staying firmly attached.

Blisters on fingers

Small bumps near the nails are the first signs of osteoarthritis. These lumps form when the disease causes a loss of joint space, causing the joints to expand as new bone begins to form. Osteoarthritis, which is general wear and tear on the joints, is common in women and is painful.

Shaking hands

Everyone's hands shake to some extent, but if yours shakes significantly, it could be an early warning sign that you're developing Parkinson's disease, which affects the nervous system. Hand tremors can also be caused by stress, anxiety or excessive consumption of alcohol or coffee. You may also have "essential tremor," an inherited neurological condition. Contact your doctor if you notice tremors, slowness of movement, or stiffness.

Dry skin

It can be a sign of poor thyroid function, as the skin loses moisture. It can also mean that one is sensitive to soaps and other beauty products. Hands also lose moisture after menopause as the skin dries out when women's estrogen levels drop.

Red palms

For centuries, doctors have associated red palms with liver disease, especially cirrhosis. Palmar erythema (redness of the palms) is thought to be caused by dilation of blood vessels, created in response to hormonal imbalance caused by liver damage. The rash appears on the outer edge of the joint, from the beginning of the big toe, along the joint to the little toe. Other signs are white nails caused by protein deficiency, which is typical of liver disease, and yellowing of the skin. Red palms can also be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and sometimes pregnancy.

Sweating of the palms

Our palms are often hot and therefore sweaty when we are nervous or anxious, but if this happens to you regularly, your thyroid may be to blame. An overactive thyroid gland causes an increase in metabolic rate. This means that as your body temperature rises, you burn more calories and sweat more. There may also be unexplained weight loss, a constant feeling of nervousness, swelling of the thyroid gland in the throat. An overactive thyroid can be treated with medication.