“COVID nails” could be a sign that you have suffered the disease, a top expert has warned.

People who have a “clear line” growing out of their nail have been told it may be because they have previously been infected.

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Prof Tim Spector posted this photo on Twitter to show “Covid nails”

Prof Spector leads a symptom tracking study

Prof Tim Spector, who leads the Zoe Symptom Study app, wrote on Twitter: “Do your nails look odd? 

“COVID nails are increasingly being recognised as the nails recover after infection and the growth recovers leaving a clear line. Can occur without skin rashes and appears harmless.”

He posted an image of what appear to be women’s fingernails with horizontal streaks across them.

Fingernails grow in roughly six-month cycles. 

Therefore, Prof Spector is suggesting that a change in appearance related to an infection would come with a slight delay.

Nail abnormalities can arise from trauma to the nail or vitamin deficiencies, according to Healthline.

Because fingernails are made by skin cells in the fingers, ridges can be a result of a skin condition such as eczema.

But as Prof Spector suggests, some Covid survivors are seeing the lines in their nails despite not having any sign of a skin rash.

In more serious cases, lines, ridges or a change of shape in fingernails could be due to a serious condition.

Thyroid disease, diabetes or iron deficiency anemia could all be at the root of the problem, according to the NHS. 

Prof Spector has been flagging bizarre signs of Covid throughout the pandemic with the help of millions of Brits.

People using the ZOE app input symptoms when they have a positive Covid test, helping researchers at King’s College London, led by Prof Spector, to analyse how the disease presents itself.

Problems that could be related to coronavirus infection include “Covid tongue”.

Prof Spector wrote on Twitter in January: “One in five people with Covid still present with less common symptoms that don’t get on the official PHE [Public Health England] list – such as skin rashes.

“Seeing increasing numbers of Covid tongues and strange mouth ulcers.”

A recent study found that eye problems were a sign of Covid, particularly itchiness and sensitivity to light.

Meanwhile, symptoms of long Covid are an ever-increasing list.

Hair loss, fatigue and headaches appear to be some of the most common problems.

Mental health illness, diabetes and red eyes appear to be some of the more niche side effects.

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