Sophia Delgado
COVID-19 can cause a range of nail changes, including reddish-white half-moons, orange lesions, horizontal white lines, and dents across the fingernails or toenails. These changes are known as COVID nails and are a result of the body's severe immune response affecting the vascular system. In rare cases, the COVID-19 vaccine may also lead to similar nail changes. While COVID nails are not permanent and will grow out with proper care, they can be a sign of a compromised vascular system and should be monitored. In addition, severe COVID-19 can cause onycholysis, a condition where the nail separates from the nail bed, usually starting at the tip. This condition is generally painless and may appear several months after the initial infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of people experiencing nail changes after COVID-19 | 20% |
| Types of nail changes | reddish white half-moons, orange nail lesions, horizontal white lines, horizontal dents, Beau's lines, Mees' lines, onycholysis |
| Time taken for symptoms to develop | a few days to several months |
| Time taken for nails to grow back | up to 6 months for fingernails and 12-18 months for toenails |
| Cause of nail changes | severe immune system response affecting the vascular system |
| Nail changes after vaccination | rare but possible |
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What You'll Learn
- COVID nails: reddish-white half-moons, orange lesions, white lines, and horizontal dents
- Severe COVID can cause onycholysis, where the nail separates from the nail bed
- COVID-related Beau's lines: horizontal grooves that form on nails after exposure to the virus
- Mees' lines: horizontal white lines that are temporary and will grow out over time
- COVID nails are caused by a severe immune system response, affecting the vascular system
COVID nails: reddish-white half-moons, orange lesions, white lines, and horizontal dents
COVID nails refer to nail changes that may occur after contracting COVID-19 or, rarely, after receiving the COVID vaccine. Up to 20% of people who get COVID-19 experience such skin and nail changes. These changes can manifest as reddish-white half-moons, orange lesions, white lines, or horizontal dents across the fingernails or toenails.
Reddish-white half-moons, known as red half-moons, appear as red crescent-shaped bands around the lunula, the natural white half-moon at the nail's base. They may develop on all fingernails within two days of contracting COVID-19. This occurs when tiny blood vessels break under the nails, triggering an inflammatory immune response.
Orange lesions, or transverse orange nail lesions, are a sign of damaged tissue. They appear as an orange discoloration across the nail, with a distinct straight line separating the discoloured area from the healthy portion of the nail bed. These lesions typically form near the nail ends, sometimes weeks after experiencing other COVID-19 symptoms.
White lines refer to Mees' lines, which are medically known as transverse leukonychia. Transverse describes something lying across, while leukonychia refers to white nail discoloration. Mees' lines take around three to six weeks to develop and will grow out as the nail grows. They can also be caused by conditions unrelated to COVID-19, such as acute kidney failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, and certain cancers.
Horizontal dents are characteristic of Beau's lines, which form when COVID-19 interrupts the growth of the nail matrix, the area where nails start to grow. Beau's lines can also be caused by nail injuries, chemotherapy, and nutrient deficiencies. They usually resolve within a few months as they grow out with the nail.
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Severe COVID can cause onycholysis, where the nail separates from the nail bed
COVID-19 can cause a range of nail changes, known as "COVID nails", which can affect both fingernails and toenails. These changes are due to a severe immune system response, which affects the vascular system when someone has COVID-19. This response can trigger inflammation, compromising the health of blood vessels in the vascular system and stopping the supply of nutrients that support nail health and growth.
One such nail change is onycholysis, a condition where the nail separates from the nail bed. Onycholysis usually starts at the tip of the nail and works its way backwards. It is generally a painless condition and may appear several months after having COVID-19. Outside of a COVID-19 infection, onycholysis can be caused by manicures, fungal infections, and psoriasis.
Onycholysis is characterised by severe distal onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, oil drops, and irregular nail pitting. In some cases, splinter hemorrhages may also be present. Treatment with clobetasol 0.05% ointment under occlusion can be effective, with significant improvement seen in as little as two months.
It is important to note that COVID nails are not permanent and will grow out with the nail, although this can take up to six months for fingernails and 12-18 months for toenails. However, if COVID nails do not improve as the nails grow out, it is recommended to see a healthcare provider as it could be a sign of a different health condition.
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COVID-related Beau's lines: horizontal grooves that form on nails after exposure to the virus
While COVID-19 does not directly cause nails to fall off, it can lead to nail changes, including COVID nails, a term used to describe various nail alterations. One such alteration is Beau's lines, which are transverse grooves or horizontal dents that form on one or more nails. These lines are caused by a temporary interruption in the growth of the nail matrix, the area where nails begin to grow.
COVID-related Beau's lines can start forming anywhere from days to weeks after exposure to the virus or the vaccine, and they usually resolve within a few months. Beau's lines are not unique to COVID-19 and can also occur due to other factors such as peripheral artery disease, severe eczema, and psoriasis.
The appearance of Beau's lines is indicative of a temporary arrest in nail matrix proliferation. The nail matrix is the area where new fingernails and toenails are formed, and it is located under the base of the nail. While injuries and certain health conditions can damage the nail matrix and affect nail growth, it is rare for the nail matrix to be permanently damaged. With proper treatment, healthy nail growth can often resume.
The development of COVID-related Beau's lines is likely due to the body's immune response to the virus or the vaccine. This response triggers inflammation, compromising the health of blood vessels in the vascular system, which disrupts the supply of nutrients essential for nail health and growth.
While COVID nails are not permanent, it is recommended to seek medical advice if they do not improve as the nails grow out. In some cases, they may be indicative of a different underlying health condition or a fungal or bacterial infection. Proper medical care can help address these concerns and promote healthy nail growth.
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Mees' lines: horizontal white lines that are temporary and will grow out over time
While COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory illness, it can also have an impact on other parts of the body, including the nails. Up to 20% of people who contract COVID-19 experience skin and nail changes. These changes are known as "COVID nails" and can manifest in various ways, including reddish-white half-moons, orange nail lesions, and horizontal white lines or dents across the fingernails or toenails.
One specific type of nail change associated with COVID-19 is the development of Mees' lines. Mees' lines are characterized by horizontal white lines that run across the width of the fingernails or toenails. These lines are medically referred to as transverse leukonychia, where "transverse" describes something lying across, and "leukonychia" indicates white discoloration of the nail.
Mees' lines are temporary and usually take about three to six weeks to develop after exposure to COVID-19. They occur when COVID-19 temporarily interrupts the growth of the nail matrix, the area where nails begin to grow. This interruption can lead to the formation of horizontal lines or dents. It's important to note that these lines are not a permanent change and will grow out over time as your nails continue to grow.
In addition to COVID-19, Mees' lines can also be associated with other underlying health conditions such as acute kidney failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, and certain cancers. Therefore, if you notice any persistent nail changes or have concerns about your nail health, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance.
Although COVID nails are not permanent and will grow out with the nail, it can take up to six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails to return to their normal appearance. If COVID nails do not improve as the nails grow out, it may be a sign of a different health condition, and seeking medical advice is recommended.
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COVID nails are caused by a severe immune system response, affecting the vascular system
COVID nails refer to nail changes that may appear after contracting the COVID-19 virus or getting vaccinated. These changes can manifest as reddish white half-moons, orange nail lesions, horizontal white lines, or horizontal dents across the fingernails or toenails. In rare cases, the immune response to the COVID-19 vaccine may also lead to similar nail changes.
COVID nails are caused by a severe immune system response that affects the vascular system. The vascular system is a network of blood vessels that travel throughout the body. When an individual has COVID-19, their body's immune response can trigger inflammation, compromising the health of these blood vessels. This inflammation disrupts the supply of nutrients that support nail health and growth, leading to the characteristic symptoms of COVID nails.
The symptoms of COVID nails can vary in their presentation and timing. They may take anywhere from a few days to several months to develop after infection or vaccination. It is important to note that these symptoms are not permanent and will grow out with the nail. However, this process can be gradual, taking up to six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails.
While COVID nails are typically not a cause for concern, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider if the symptoms persist or worsen. In some cases, COVID nails may be an indication of a different underlying health condition. Additionally, fungal or bacterial infections can occur in the nails, requiring appropriate treatment.
It is worth mentioning that severe cases of COVID-19 can lead to a condition known as onycholysis, where the nail separates from the nail bed. This condition is usually painless and may appear several months after the initial infection. Onycholysis can also be caused by factors unrelated to COVID-19, such as manicures, fungal infections, and psoriasis.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, up to 20% of people who get COVID-19 experience skin and nail changes. These changes can include reddish white half-moons, orange nail lesions, horizontal white lines, or horizontal dents that appear across the fingernails or toenails.
COVID nails result from a severe immune system response, affecting your vascular system. The inflammatory response can compromise the health of blood vessels in the vascular system, stopping the supply of nutrients that support nail health and growth.
Severe COVID-19 can cause a condition known as onycholysis, where the nail becomes separated from the nail bed, usually starting at the tip of the nail. However, this condition is usually painless and may appear several months after having COVID-19.
Symptoms of COVID nails are not permanent and will grow out with the nail, which can take up to six months for fingernails and 12-18 months for toenails. However, if COVID nails do not improve as the nails grow out, it could be a sign of a different health condition, and you should see a healthcare provider.
