Mees’ lines (also known as Aldrich or Reynolds’ lines) are transverse white bands on the nail plate laid down during periods of stress. Common associations are poisioning (arsenic, thallium, fluorosis), severe infection, renal disease, cardiac failure, and malignant disease.
What do Mees lines indicate?
Mees’ Lines are a change that occurs in the color of the nail with no palpable ridges, typically described as white bands traversing the nail bed, running parallel to the lunula across the entire nail bed of the individual. This finding is indicative of arsenic [5], thallium [6], or other heavy metal poisoning.
What deficiency causes lines on nails?
Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges.
What do vertical lines on fingernails indicate?
Aging has been described as the predominant cause of vertical ridges on the fingernails. Onychorrhexis is the medical term used to describe longitudinal ridges on the nails that often accompany brittle nails.
What causes raised vertical ridges on fingernails?
Vertical nail ridges, which are fairly common, extend from the cuticle to the tip of your nail. They often become more numerous or prominent with age, possibly due to variations in cell turnover within your nail.
What do Beau’s lines in nails look like?
What do Beau’s lines look like? Beau’s lines are horizontal indentations, or ridges, that develop across the nails. They usually run straight across the nail. A person may develop one or more Beau’s lines on any nail, or across multiple nails.
What does horizontal lines on fingernails mean?
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often an indication of aging. Horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or even Beau’s lines.
Is leukonychia a disease or disorder?
Leukonychia totalis is a genetic disease, which means that it is caused by one or more genes not working correctly.
What is yellow nail syndrome?
Yellow nail syndrome is an extremely rare disorder characterized by malformations affecting the fingernails and toenails, abnormalities affecting the lungs and the airways (respiratory tract), and swelling or puffiness in different parts of the body because of the accumulation of protein-rich fluid (lymph) in the soft
What autoimmune disease causes ridges in fingernails?
If you have RA, your immune system becomes overactive and attacks healthy parts of your body leading to inflammation and fatigue. RA may even lead to changes in your nails, such as the development of vertical ridges or a yellowing and thickening.
Do thyroid problems cause nail ridges?
Horizontal ridges can be caused by trauma to the nail and may be deep or discolored. The can also indicate malnutrition, psoriasis or a thyroid problem. Check with your doctor if you see horizontal ridges on your nails; they may indicate a more serious problem. Need to make an appointment with a Piedmont physician?
Does magnesium deficiency cause nail ridges?
Magnesium is a mineral involved in over 300 reactions in your body, including protein synthesis, which is required for nail growth ( 10 ). Vertical ridges in your nails may be a sign of a magnesium deficiency.
What do nails look like with anemia?
Spoon nails (koilonychia) are soft nails that look scooped out. The depression usually is large enough to hold a drop of liquid. Often, spoon nails are a sign of iron deficiency anemia or a liver condition known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat.
Can fingernails show signs of illness?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
What are Muehrcke’s lines?
Muehrcke lines are multiple transverse white linear bands parallel to the lunula of the fingernail. They represent an apparent leukonychia as they result from an abnormality in the vasculature of the nail bed. This activity reviews the etiology, evaluation, and treatment of patients with this condition.
