Isla Bennett
Half white, half pink nails are a condition known as Lindsay's nails, or Terry's nails. They can be a sign of kidney disease, liver disease, or heart disease. When the kidneys are damaged or begin to fail, waste products and fluid build up, causing swelling throughout the body, including in the nail beds. This causes the lunula, the small half-moon portion of the nail just above the cuticle, to rise and extend halfway up the nail, creating the half and half pattern.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Lindsay's nails, Terry's nails |
| Cause | Kidney disease, liver disease |
| Other symptoms | General malaise, high content of fatty acids and cholesterol |
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What You'll Learn
Half-white, half-pink nails are called Lindsay's nails
Terry's nails are similar to Lindsay's nails, but the lunula is indistinguishable from the rest of the nail. Terry's nails may signify a serious health condition.
Half-white, half-pink nails can also be caused by a high content of fatty acids and cholesterol, due to an excess of dairy products, sugar and salt in your diet.
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They may indicate kidney disease
Half-white, half-pink nails may indicate kidney disease. This condition is known as Lindsay's nails, after the doctor who first described the half-and-half nail in 1967. When the kidneys are damaged or begin to fail, waste products and fluid build up, causing swelling throughout the body, including in the nail beds. This causes the small half-moon portion of the nail just above the cuticle, called the lunula (Latin for 'little moon'), to rise and extend halfway up the nail, creating the half-and-half pattern.
In older adults, this condition is usually a natural sign of ageing. However, it can also be a sign of kidney disease, especially when accompanied by other symptoms such as general malaise. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is recommended that you consult your doctor or GP for further testing.
It is important to note that there are other potential causes of half-white, half-pink nails. In some cases, it may be due to injury or a rare inherited disorder called Wilson's disease, which occurs when too much copper accumulates in the organs. Additionally, white nails with a pink band at the top of the nail bed are called Terry's nails and may signify a serious health condition.
While the appearance of your nails can provide valuable insights into your health, it is always best to consult a medical professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.
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They are caused by a build-up of waste products and fluid
Half-white, half-pink nails are a condition known as Lindsay's nails, first described by a doctor in 1967. They are caused by a build-up of waste products and fluid, which is a symptom of kidney damage or failure. When the kidneys are damaged, waste products and fluid build up, causing swelling throughout the body, including in the nail beds. This causes the small half-moon portion of the nail just above the cuticle, called the lunula, to rise and extend halfway up the nail, creating the half-and-half pattern. The lunula is Latin for 'little moon'.
If you have half-white, half-pink nails, you should consult your GP, as it could be a sign of kidney disease. You are likely to experience other symptoms, such as general malaise.
White nails with a pink band at the top of the nail bed are called Terry's nails, and they may signify a serious health condition. The lunula is indistinguishable from the rest of the nail. Terry's nails can be a sign of liver, kidney, or heart disease, or of old age.
In older adults, half-white, half-pink nails can be a natural sign of ageing. However, if you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is always best to consult a doctor.
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They may also be a sign of liver disease
Half-white, half-pink nails are a condition known as Lindsay's nails, first described by a doctor of the same name in 1967. This two-toned appearance can be a sign of kidney disease, as waste products and fluid build up, causing swelling throughout the body, including in the nail beds. However, it may also be a sign of liver disease, as white nails can be indicative of low levels of circulating protein in the blood, a condition called leuconychia. Leuconychia can be symptomatic of liver disease, and in older adults, it may be a natural sign of ageing. If you are concerned about the appearance of your nails, it is recommended that you consult your GP for further testing.
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They could be a sign of ageing
Half-white, half-pink nails could be a sign of ageing. This is a rare inherited disorder that occurs when too much copper accumulates in your organs. It is known to cause blue lunulae (the half-moon area at the base of the nail). The portion of the nail containing the lunula may turn white, sometimes creating a nail that is half-brown and half-white. This condition is called Lindsay's nails, after the doctor who first described the half-and-half nail in 1967. When the kidneys are damaged or begin to fail, waste products and fluid build up, causing swelling throughout the body – even in the nail beds. This causes the lunula to rise and extend halfway up the nail, creating the half-and-half pattern.
Half-white, half-pink nails can also be a sign of kidney disease, and you are likely to experience other symptoms such as general malaise. If you are concerned, consult your GP.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of kidney disease. Consult your GP if you have any concerns.
Terry's nails or Lindsay's nails.
The lunula.
Little moon.
It could be due to low levels of circulating protein in the blood, a condition called leuconychia, which can be symptomatic of liver disease.
