Terry’s nails may happen naturally and not be a sign of underlying conditions. However, they can sometimes be due to diseases such as CKD, type 2 diabetes, and congestive heart failure. Treatment typically involves managing the underlying disease.
The half-moon shape found at the base of your fingernail above your cuticle is known as the lunula.
It may appear differently on different skin tones.
- On lighter skin tones, lunulae typically appear as a pale, whitish crescent shape at the base of the nail next to a pink nail bed.
- On medium to darker skin tones, lunulae may still appear whitish but can sometimes blend more with the surrounding nail bed. They might not be as apparent as on lighter skin.
- On darker skin tones, lunulae can be less visible or appear as a light greyish or whitish crescent. The contrast between the lunulae and the nail bed may be less pronounced.
The visibility of lunulae can also vary from person to person, regardless of skin tone, due to individual differences in nail anatomy and health.
Changes in the color of your fingernails can be caused by certain medical conditions or other health issues.
Terry’s nails are entirely white with a red or brownish band at the tip. They also have a unique appearance that resembles ground glass.
This condition is especially common in people with severe liver disease, but it is also seen in people without underlying disease.
Although this condition most commonly affects all the nails of your fingers, it can also occur in just one fingernail and has even been reported in toenails.
Apart from the changes in the appearance of your nails, Terry’s nails don’t cause any other symptoms.
It’s believed that Terry’s nails occur when you have fewer blood vessels and more connective tissue than normal in the nail bed, causing the nails to appear white.
While Terry’s nails aren’t harmful, they should be evaluated by your doctor, as they can be a sign of a more serious issue and may be associated with several underlying health issues.
The condition is most common in people with liver disease and cirrhosis, or scarring, of the liver. In
It may also be linked to several other conditions, including:
- peripheral vascular disease
- chronic kidney failure
- type 2 diabetes
- HIV
- congestive heart failure
- skin conditions like vitiligo or tuberculoid leprosy
- viral hepatitis
Furthermore, Terry’s nails may also occur naturally as you get older, even if you don’t have any other underlying health conditions.
Terry’s nails don’t require any medical treatment on their own, as they are typically associated with another condition. Treatment, therefore, involves managing the underlying condition that’s causing them.
Because many of the conditions that cause Terry’s nails can be serious, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you notice any symptoms of Terry’s nails.
Like Terry’s nails, Lindsay’s nails are characterized by changes in the color of your nails and are often caused by an underlying health condition.
They are sometimes referred to as “half-and-half” nails because they appear white at the base and brownish-red near the tip.
While it’s unclear exactly what causes Lindsay’s nails, it’s believed that chronic anemia due to kidney failure may cause the nail bed to appear pale. Meanwhile, the dark color at the top half of the nail is likely due to higher levels of melanin, which is a type of brown pigment.
Lindsay’s nails are common in people with chronic kidney disease and reportedly affect between 20% and 50% of people with this condition. However, they can affect anyone, even those with no underlying disease.
Changes in the color, shape, or texture of your nails can sometimes be a sign of certain health issues.
For example, Terry’s nails and Lindsay’s nails may be associated with conditions like liver or kidney disease.
Similarly, other nail abnormalities, like ridges or pits in your fingernails or toenails, can also be caused by an underlying medical condition.
For this reason, it’s crucial to talk with your doctor if you notice any changes in your nails to help determine the cause and the right course of treatment for you.