Why do my fingernails have white at the base? The lunula looks white because the epidermis is thicker beneath the matrix and it blocks the pink colour from the blood vessels below.
What does white on nails mean? White nails, also known as leukonychia, describes fingernails that are partially or completely white in color. The white color could be the result of several things such as trauma, anemia, dietary deficiencies, heart or kidney disease, or even poisoning.
Can your fingernails show signs of illness? Ripples on nails or pitted nails may be caused by a skin disorder, psoriasis, eczema, or arthritis. Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tip of the finger. It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS.
Why is half of my nail white? This condition, known as Terry’s nails, is especially common in people with severe liver disease. Additionally, nails that are half white and half reddish brown are called Lindsay’s nails, which is a condition that’s often associated with kidney disease.
Why do my fingernails have white at the base? – Additional Questions
What your nails say about your liver?
Lindsay’s nails refers to nails that are half white and half brown or red. Both Terry’s nails and Lindsay’s nails can be signs of an underlying condition. People with liver disease are more likely to have Terry’s nails. People with kidney disease are more likely to have Lindsay’s nails.
What is the white part of the nail bed?
The lunula, or lunulae (pl.) (from Latin ‘little moon’), is the crescent-shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail. The lunula is the white crescent-shaped area at the base of a nail.
What is the white part at the end of your nail?
Most nails have a white half-moon shape at the base, just above the cuticle, called a lunula. It’s biggest on the thumb nail and decreases in size as you make your way to the pinkie. And a change in color or size of this feature may indicate an underlying disease, Linder explains.
Is it normal to have white nails?
Random white spots that appear on the nails are generally harmless and caused by an injury, such as striking the fingertip or repeated trauma to the nails from frequent manicures. Other potential causes include zinc deficiency, calcium deficiency, fungal infections or allergic reactions.
How do I get rid of the white spots on my nails?
To remove white spots caused by prolonged nail polish wear, Dr. Stern recommends gently buffing the nail surface and treating the nail with a hydrating oil or Vaseline. “A nail polish break for several weeks will also help treat keratin granulations,” she says.
Are white nails healthy?
Do they look pale or white? This could mean you have a low red blood cell count. White nails also can signal liver disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, heart failure, or a lack of nutrients in your diet. If your nails are mostly white with a narrow pink band at the tip, you have a condition called Terry’s nails.
What should a healthy fingernail look like?
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They’re uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age.
What is the white part of the nail bed?
The lunula, or lunulae (pl.) (from Latin ‘little moon’), is the crescent-shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail. The lunula is the white crescent-shaped area at the base of a nail.
What do fingernails look like with low iron?
Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Leukonychia is white streaks or spots on the nails often due to drugs or disease.
What are signs of unhealthy nails?
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:
- discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color)
- changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing)
- changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)
- nails that become brittle.
- nails that are pitted.
- bleeding around nails.
- swelling or redness around nails.
Can fingernails show heart problems?
Ripples on nails or pitted nails may be caused by a skin disorder, psoriasis, eczema, or arthritis. Nail clubbing is when a nail curves under at the tip of the finger. It could indicate heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, lung disease, liver disease, thyroid disease, or HIV/AIDS.
What are the 5 common nail problems?
Tips to treat the 5 most common nail disorders: brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, onychomycosis.
What does melanonychia look like?
Melanonychia is a brown or black color in your nail. It can affect your fingernails or toenails. It can be in one nail, a few nails, or all of your nails. Melanonychia can have many different causes that range from harmless to potentially fatal.
How can you tell if a nail is melanoma?
When checking your nails for melanoma, dermatologists recommend looking for the following changes: A dark streak. This may look like a brown or black band in the nail — often on the thumb or big toe of your dominant hand or foot. However, this dark streak can show up on any nail.