Noah Sinclair
White lines on the fingernails are known as leukonychia striata, or Mees lines. They are usually 1-2mm wide horizontal parallel white bands that span the width of the nail plate, and usually affect all fingernails. While white spots on the fingernails are common and usually not a serious problem, Mees lines are not a common finding and are most often associated with arsenic poisoning or acute systemic stress.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Leukonychia |
| Type | True leukonychia, apparent leukonychia, or leukonychia striata (Mees lines) |
| Description | White spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails |
| Causes | Poisoning (arsenic, thallium), acute systemic stress (renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection, systemic lupus erythematosus), manicure mistakes, pressure on the free edge of the nail plate |
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What You'll Learn
Leukonychia striata (white lines)
White lines on your fingernails are known as leukonychia striata, or Mees lines. They are a less common presentation of leukonychia, a condition that causes white spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails. Leukonychia striata presents as 1- to 2-mm wide horizontal parallel white bands that span the width of the nail plate, usually affecting all fingernails.
Leukonychia striata is most often associated with arsenic poisoning, which can be identified by the appearance of the lines. They tend to appear 2 months after the initial insult. They can also be caused by acute systemic stresses, such as acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infections such as measles and tuberculosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Exposure to toxic metals such as thallium can also cause leukonychia striata.
When only the fingernails are affected, manicure mistakes are a possible cause. When the toenails are affected, bands may result from pressure on the free edge of the nail plate not being trimmed short enough.
White spots on your fingernails are common and usually do not indicate a serious problem. However, if you are concerned about the appearance of white lines on your nails, you should consult a doctor.
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Longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines)
White lines on your fingernails can be caused by leukonychia, a common condition that causes white spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails. There are three types of leukonychia: true leukonychia, apparent leukonychia and trauma-induced transverse true leukonychia. True leukonychia is where the white spots form in the area of your fingers or toes where the nail starts to grow (nail matrix) and appear in the hard part of your nail (nail plate). Apparent leukonychia is where the white spots form in the skin on which your nails rest (nail bed). Trauma-induced transverse true leukonychia is caused by manicure mistakes or bands that result from pressure on the free edge of the nail plate not being trimmed short.
White lines on your nails can also be caused by longitudinal melanonychia, which presents as brown-black lines. This is a less common condition, but it can be indicative of an underlying systemic disease. It is important to note that each type of nail line has a particular differential diagnosis, and a thorough inspection of the fingernails and toenails is an integral part of a complete physical examination.
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Longitudinal erythronychia (red lines)
White lines on your fingernails can be caused by leukonychia, a common condition that causes white spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails. There are three types of leukonychia: true leukonychia, apparent leukonychia, and trauma-induced transverse true leukonychia. True leukonychia is when the white spots form in the area of your fingers or toes where the nail starts to grow (nail matrix) and appear in the hard part of your nail (nail plate). Apparent leukonychia is when the white spots form in the skin on which your nails rest (nail bed). Trauma-induced transverse true leukonychia occurs when only the fingernails are affected, and manicure mistakes are the possible culprits.
Longitudinal erythronychia is a type of nail line characterised by red lines. Nail lines are an important part of a physical examination, as they can help clinicians diagnose and treat nail disorders and recognise underlying systemic diseases. Longitudinal erythronychia is associated with acute systemic stress, which can be caused by acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection (measles, tuberculosis), and systemic lupus erythematosus. It can also be caused by exposure to toxic metals such as thallium.
While white lines on your fingernails are usually not a serious problem, red lines can indicate a more serious underlying condition. If you notice red lines on your fingernails, it is important to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Beau lines (nail-plate grooves)
White lines on your fingernails could be a condition called leukonychia, which is common and usually not serious. There are three types of leukonychia: true leukonychia, apparent leukonychia, and transverse true leukonychia. True leukonychia is where white spots form in the area of your fingers or toes where the nail starts to grow (nail matrix) and appear in the hard part of your nail (nail plate). Apparent leukonychia is where the white spots form in the skin on which your nails rest (nail bed). Transverse true leukonychia is caused by trauma and can be the result of manicure mistakes.
Transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, are another name for leukonychia striata and are associated with acute systemic stress, such as acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, and infection (measles, tuberculosis). They are also associated with exposure to toxic metals such as thallium and arsenic poisoning.
Nail lines can be indicative of underlying systemic diseases, as each type of nail line has a particular differential diagnosis. Beau lines (nail-plate grooves) are one such type of nail line. They are horizontal indentations that run across the nail and can be caused by various factors, including malnutrition, peripheral vascular disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and zinc deficiency. Beau lines are often seen in people with long-term illnesses or nutritional deficiencies. They can also be a sign of zinc deficiency, which is important for maintaining healthy nails and skin.
Beau lines are characterised by a depression or groove that runs horizontally across the nail plate. They can appear as a single line or as multiple lines on the same nail. The grooves are typically deep and well-defined, and they may be accompanied by changes in the colour or texture of the nail. Beau lines are usually asymptomatic, but they can sometimes be associated with pain or tenderness in the affected nail.
If you notice Beau lines on your nails, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. They will be able to determine the underlying cause of the Beau lines and provide guidance on managing the condition. In some cases, treating the underlying cause may help resolve the Beau lines. However, it is important to note that Beau lines may persist even after the underlying condition has been addressed.
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Mees lines (transverse white nail lines)
White lines on your fingernails can be caused by a condition called leukonychia. This condition causes white spots or streaks on your fingernails or toenails. One type of leukonychia, leukonychia striata, can present as transverse white lines, commonly known as Mees lines.
Mees lines are 1- to 2-mm wide horizontal parallel white bands that span the width of the nail plate, usually affecting all fingernails. They are not a common finding and are most often associated with arsenic poisoning. They can also be used to identify the time of poisoning, since they tend to appear 2 months after the initial insult. Mees lines are also associated with acute systemic stresses, such as acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infections such as measles and tuberculosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus, and with exposure to toxic metals such as thallium.
Mees lines are not typically a cause for concern and usually resolve without treatment. However, if you are concerned about the appearance of white lines on your fingernails, it is best to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
It is important to note that manicure mistakes can also cause white lines on the fingernails. When only the fingernails are affected, this is a possible culprit. When the toenails are affected, bands may result from pressure on the free edge of the nail plate not being trimmed short enough.
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Frequently asked questions
White lines on your fingernails are usually a common condition called leukonychia.
There are three types: true leukonychia, apparent leukonychia, and transverse true leukonychia.
True leukonychia appears as white spots in the area of your fingers where the nail starts to grow (nail matrix) and in the hard part of your nail (nail plate).
Transverse true leukonychia appears as 1- to 2-mm wide horizontal parallel white bands that span the width of the nail plate, usually affecting all fingernails.
