Caleb Foster
Lined nails can be harmless, but they can also be a sign of underlying health issues. There are several types of lined nails, including leukonychia striata (white lines), longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines), longitudinal erythronychia (red lines), and nail-plate grooves (Beau lines). Beau lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more nails, and they can be caused by an illness, injury, or skin condition that interrupted nail growth. Vertical ridges are often a sign of aging, while horizontal ridges can indicate malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Transverse white nail lines, or Mees lines, have been associated with acute systemic stress and exposure to toxic metals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of line | Leukonychia striata (white lines), longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines), longitudinal erythronychia (red lines), Beau lines (horizontal ridges or dents), transverse white nail lines (Mees lines) |
| Cause | Illness, injury, skin condition, melanocytic activation, ageing, malnutrition, acute systemic stress, exposure to toxic metals |
| Diagnosis | A thorough inspection of the nails is an integral part of the complete physical examination. An understanding of basic nail anatomy and familiarity with several basic types of nail line enable the clinician to diagnose and treat nail disorders and to recognize underlying systemic diseases. |
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What You'll Learn
Beau's lines
They can affect all your nails or just a few, such as on your thumbs and big toes. Beau's lines are a type of nail line that can be identified through a thorough inspection of the nails. They are one of several types of nail lines, including leukonychia striata (white lines), longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines), longitudinal erythronychia (red lines), and nail-plate grooves.
Melanonychia, also called melanonychia striata or longitudinal melanonychia, is an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in your nail but not an increase in pigment cells. It is important to have a doctor check for melanonychia because the lines may be a sign of other health issues.
Ridges in your nails are usually harmless but can mean different things. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines.
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Leukonychia striata
Lined nails can mean different things depending on the direction of the lines and their colour. Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing, while horizontal ridges can point to issues like malnutrition, serious nail injury, or Beau's lines. Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your nails, caused by an illness or injury that interrupted nail growth. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
White lines on the nails are known as leukonychia striata. They can be transverse (horizontal) or longitudinal (vertical). Transverse white lines, or Mees lines, have been associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection (measles, tuberculosis), and systemic lupus erythematosus, and with exposure to toxic metals such as thallium.
Brown-black lines on the nails are known as longitudinal melanonychia or melanonychia striata. Melanonychia is an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in the nail but not an increase in pigment cells. It is recommended that you have a doctor check for melanonychia because the lines may be a sign of other health issues.
Red lines on the nails are known as longitudinal erythronychia.
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Longitudinal melanonychia
Lined nails can refer to a few different conditions. One is Beau's lines, which are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your nails. They are caused by an illness, injury or skin condition that interrupted your nail growth. Another is leukonychia striata, which are white lines. Then there is longitudinal melanonychia, which are brown-black lines. This is caused by an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in your nail but not an increase in pigment cells. Finally, there are longitudinal erythronychia, which are red lines.
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Longitudinal erythronychia
Lined nails can refer to several conditions, including leukonychia striata (white lines), longitudinal melanonychia (brown-black lines), longitudinal erythronychia (red lines), and Beau's lines (grooves or dents).
Nail lines are a common presenting finding, and an understanding of basic nail anatomy can enable clinicians to diagnose and treat nail disorders and recognise underlying systemic diseases. Each type of nail line has a particular differential diagnosis.
Beau's lines, for example, are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of the fingernails or toenails. They are a sign that an illness, injury or skin condition interrupted nail growth. Treating the underlying cause will allow new, smooth nails to grow again.
Melanonychia, or melanonychia striata, is another nail condition characterised by brown or black lines on the nails. This condition is caused by an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in the nail, but not an increase in pigment cells. As with other nail conditions, it is important to have a doctor check for melanonychia, as the lines may be a sign of other health issues.
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Nail-plate grooves
The appearance of Beau lines can be a useful diagnostic tool for clinicians, as they can indicate underlying health issues. For example, they have been 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. Exposure to toxic metals such as thallium has also been linked to the appearance of Beau lines.
It is important to note that while Beau lines can be a sign of an underlying health issue, they are not always cause for concern. Ridges in your nails are usually harmless and can simply be a sign of ageing. However, if you notice any changes in your nails, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor or dermatologist to rule out any potential health concerns.
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Frequently asked questions
Beau's lines are horizontal ridges or dents in one or more of your fingernails or toenails. They are caused by an illness, injury or skin condition that interrupted your nail growth.
Melanonychia is an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in your nail, but not an increase in pigment cells. It is also known as melanonychia striata or longitudinal melanonychia.
Leukonychia striata are white lines that appear on the nails. They are associated with acute systemic stress, such as from acute renal failure, heart failure, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, infection (measles, tuberculosis) and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Vertical ridges are often a sign of ageing.
