Ridges in the fingernails are often normal signs of aging. Slight vertical ridges commonly develop in older adults. In some cases, they may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau’s lines, may indicate a serious condition.
White spots or streaks are normal and nothing to worry about. Parallel white lines that extend all the way across the nails, known as Muehrcke’s lines, are a sign of low levels of protein in the blood. In contrast to Beau’s lines, they’re not grooved. They can occur as a result of liver disease or malnutrition.
Moreover, Why does my child have white marks on his nails?
Ridges and lines (actually referred to as Beau’s Lines) and white spots on the nails can indicate a deficiency in zinc, among other issues. Over the years, we have seen many children in our center with white spots and/or lines on their fingernails.
Secondly, What do nails look like with liver disease?
Nails that are entirely white except for a small band of pink or brown at the tip are called Terry’s nails. They’re most often seen in people with severe liver disease. Nails that are half white and half dark are called Lindsay’s nails. They’re most often associated with kidney disease.
Simply so, What vitamin deficiency causes Beau’s lines?
Beau’s lines. These lines can occur following an injury to the nail, such as being hit by a hammer, or an illness that is accompanied by a high fever. Diabetes, malnutrition or zinc deficiency can also cause Beau’s lines to develope.
What does it mean if you have a line on your toenail?
A narrow black line that has formed vertically underneath your nail is called a splinter hemorrhage. It occurs for a variety of reasons and may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition. This condition is called a splinter hemorrhage because it may look like a wood splinter under your nail.
15 Related Question Answers Found
What deficiency causes Beau’s lines?
Koilonychia is associated with iron deficiency and protein deficiency, especially deficiency of sulfur-containing amino acids. Beau’s lines are transverse depressions in the nail plate caused by temporary cessation of nail growth. Researchers have proposed severe zinc deficiency as a cause of Beau’s lines.
What do white marks on nails mean?
You may notice white spots or dots along your nails if you are deficient in certain minerals or vitamins. The deficiencies most commonly linked to this issue are zinc deficiency and calcium deficiency.
What causes Muehrcke lines?
Several disease states that cause hypoalbuminemia may be associated with Muehrcke lines. The appearance of paired, white bands is most likely due to a chronic nutritional deficiency of albumin. Examples include nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis, liver disease, and malnutrition.
Are Beau’s lines serious?
Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau’s lines, are often symptoms of a serious condition. They may actually stop nail growth until the underlying condition is treated. Acute kidney disease may also be present if Beau’s lines appear.
Can Beau’s lines be harmless?
Beau’s lines are horizontal, going across the nail, and should not be confused with vertical ridges going from the bottom (cuticle) of the nail out to the fingertip. These vertical lines are usually a natural consequence of aging and are harmless.
What vitamin deficiency causes vertical lines in fingernails?
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. Hormonal changes can also cause ridges to appear.
How do I get rid of the white spots on my nails?
There is no treatment for just white spots on their own. Those that have been caused by trauma will naturally grow out over time. If they are being caused by something other than trauma, the doctor will need to identify the cause and treat it separately.
How do you get Beau’s lines?
Beau’s lines can be caused by trauma or local disease involving the nail fold. They can vary based upon the width or depth of the depression, reflecting the duration or extent of the damage. When Beau’s lines are present in all nails at a similar location on the nail plate, they are likely to have a systemic cause.
What are Beau’s lines a sign of?
Conditions associated with Beau’s lines include uncontrolled diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, as well as illnesses associated with a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia. Beau’s lines can also be a sign of zinc deficiency.
How do I get rid of Muehrcke’s lines?
Treatment of Muehrcke’s Lines If your albumin level is too low, you may be given albumin through a vein (by IV, or intravenously). The lines tend to go away when your albumin level returns to normal, or near normal.
Should I see a doctor for Beau’s lines?
Beau’s lines can be a clue to a systemic illness or drug reaction. If a systemic illness, medication, or other causative factor is identified, this underlying issue should be treated.
Why do you get dark lines on your nails?
This condition is called a splinter hemorrhage because it may look like a wood splinter under your nail. The condition is caused by damaged small blood vessels underneath your nail. Characteristics include the following: It’s black or reddish brown in color.
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