We often hear about collagen, biotin or vitamin C in hair, skin and nail care, but few people know that **iron** is a core factor in maintaining a healthy and radiant appearance. When the body lacks iron, not only is overall health affected, but **the first signs often appear in the hair, skin and nails** – the places that most clearly show the state of blood and oxygen in the body.
1. Iron deficiency and hair loss: a direct connection**

Iron plays an important role in the production of hemoglobin – a protein in red blood cells that is responsible for transporting oxygen to cells, including hair follicles. When the amount of iron in the body decreases, **blood cannot carry enough oxygen to the hair follicles**, causing hair to weaken, break easily and be difficult to grow back.

In women, iron deficiency is the second most common cause of hair loss after genetic factors. In particular, **telogen effluvium** – a condition in which hair falls out all over the head – often occurs after prolonged periods of anemia.

2. Dull, dry and pale skin – the skin’s “SOS” signal**

One of the typical signs of iron deficiency is **pale skin** due to low red blood cell counts. In addition, the skin can become **dry, less elastic, and lifeless**, especially in areas such as the face, lips, and hands.

People with iron deficiency often feel cold, and their skin is more prone to cracking when the weather changes. This is because there is not enough oxygen to promote skin cell regeneration and sebum production – two important factors that keep the skin soft and bright.

3. Brittle, irregularly shaped nails**

Iron also plays a role in nail growth. Iron deficiency can cause nails to become **thin, brittle, brittle, and have horizontal grooves**. A more obvious sign is **koilonychia** – the nail is concave in the middle and curved up at the edges.

If you notice that your nails are no longer as smooth and strong as before, it could be an early sign of iron deficiency anemia.

How to supplement iron properly?**

– **Iron-rich foods**: red meat, liver, egg yolks, fish, dark green vegetables (such as spinach, kale), lentils, whole grains.

– **Vitamin C**: helps increase the absorption of iron, should be eaten with fruits such as oranges, guava, pineapple, tomatoes.

– **Avoid drinking tea or coffee near iron-rich meals**, as they can interfere with absorption.

– If necessary, take **iron supplements** as directed by your doctor – especially for pregnant women, vegetarians or those recovering from blood loss.

Iron is not only an essential mineral for heart health and energy, but it is also the “silent hero” that helps you maintain thick hair, radiant skin and strong nails. Pay attention to the small signs from your body, because that is the body’s way of silently signaling that it needs care from the inside.

5 signs of iron deficiency in your skin, hair and nails

Deficiency of iron causes several symptoms including weakness, a faster-than-normal heartbeat, pain in your tongue among others. Some signs are also visible in your skin, hair and nails. Here’s all you want to know.

Iron deficiency can manifest in different parts of the body and the tell-tale signs are usually visible in your skin, hair and nails. Iron, an important dietary mineral has many functions in the growth and development of the body. One of vital roles is production of haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body to make myoglobin that carries oxygen to the muscles and is also required to make some hormones. When one is low in iron, they feel fatigue, weakness, chest pain, cold hands, and pain or soreness in tongue.

Iron deficiency occurs when the body does not have sufficient iron to carry out its tasks. It is a common condition seen more in women than men. Pregnant women may be at a higher risk of iron deficiency and around 50 percent of women are deficient in iron during pregnancy.

“There are several reasons for iron deficiency. The most common is lack of iron in diet others being the body does not absorb enough iron from your diet and blood loss. Deficiency of iron causes several symptoms, the most obvious signs include weakness, a faster-than-normal heartbeat, pain in your tongue among others,” says Dr Amit Bangia, Associate Director – Dermatology, Asian Hospital Faridabad.

Iron deficiency also affects your appearance. Dr Bangia opens explains the important signs of iron deficiency in skin, hair and nails.

1. Dry and damaged hair

It is normal to lose some strands of hair in a day, however, if you notice excess hair in your brush or on your pillow it could be a sign that something is not right. Dry and damaged hair could be a sign of iron deficiency. When your body is deficient in iron, it lowers the level of haemoglobin in your blood causing the hair cells to receive less oxygen affecting hair growth. When skin and hair fail to receive adequate amount of oxygen, they become dry and weak.

2. Hair loss

Iron plays a vital role in producing haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen to all parts of the body. When the body is deficient in iron, it becomes harder to transport oxygen to the cells that stimulate the growth of your nails and hair. This causes your hair to become thin and fall out. Research suggests that hair loss associated with iron deficiency may be a cause mainly in females of reproductive age.

Hair loss caused by iron deficiency resembles that of hormonal hair loss, meaning you notice hair falling out around the hairline, crown and the middle of your head. With severe iron deficiency, hair loss could become more and you may notice more of your scalp when your hair is wet or when you are standing in a brightly lit place.

3. Unusually pale skin

The blood gets its red colour from the haemoglobin in the red blood cells. So, when the body is deficient in iron, it makes the blood less red and this causes the skin to look paler than usual or lose its warmth.

4. Paler inside eyelids

Normally, if you pull the inside of the lower eyelids, it is bright red in colour. However, if you are suffering with iron deficiency, it causes the inside of the lower eyelids to become pale. It is commonly seen in moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency. In fact, it is one of the first things that doctors will look for as a sign of iron deficiency. In dark skinned people, it may be the only area where iron deficiency is noticeable.

5. Brittle fingernails

Brittle or spoon-shaped fingernails called koilonychia is a relatively less common symptom of iron deficiency. Usually, it begins as brittle nails that crack and chip easily. In later stages, when iron deficiency continues untreated for long, it may lead to spoon shaped nails – meaning they form a curve with a dip in the middle and edges raise to give it a rounded spoon shaped appearance. However, it is a rare symptom and is seen only in severe cases of iron deficiency.