Iron Deficiency: The Unseen Signs on Your Skin, Hair & Nails You Shouldn't Miss

When we think of iron deficiency, usually we often only associate it with common tiredness or fatigue.

But according to renowned dermatologist Dr. Manasi Shirolikar, your skin, hair, and nails might be dropping some silent hints about your body's already depleted iron stores — and it's high time that we fully listen.

The Subtle Signs of Low Iron Levels

Dr. Manasi briefly points out that iron deficiency anemia doesn't just affect your overall energy levels, but it manifests externally too:

• Hair Thinning: One of the common first indicators, especially for women. Low iron weakens the hair follicles, leading to noticeable hair fall.
• Brittle or Spoon-Shaped Nails: Often known as "koilonychia," this nail condition is a very classic sign of iron deficiency.
• Pale or Itchy Skin: A lack of iron reduces the oxygen circulation, which can possibly result in dull, pale skin and sometimes irritating rashes.
• Fatigue & Headaches: Chronic tiredness paired with frequent headaches could be much more than just stress, and your iron might be the culprit.
• Angular Cheilitis: Those much painful cracks at the corners of your mouth? Dr. Manasi says that they're a red flag often missed.

Don't Ignore the Signs

As Dr. Manasi strongly emphasizes, these aren't just beauty issues, they are also the clinical indicators that your body is crying out for help. Whether you notice your hair thinning, skin becoming dull, or nails breaking very easily, it may be high time for a blood test and consultation.

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Iron Up, Glow Up

From her very expert lens, Dr. Manasi Shirolikar urges people to look much beyond the surface symptoms.

Treating iron deficiency can very drastically improve not just your overall health, but also your appearance and confidence.

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