Skip to Main Content
Home Books Syndromes: Rapid Recognition and Perioperative Implications

Leukonychia and Other Nail Discoloration: Overview

See Table L-2.

Table L-2 Leukonychia and Other Nail Discoloration
View Table||Download (.pdf)
Table L-2 Leukonychia and Other Nail Discoloration
Nail Discoloration (Name)Clinical Aspect and Causes
Leukonychia Totalis (partial or totalis white nails) Congenital (leukonychia totalis): autosomal dominant syndrome
Terry nails (either all or only proximal 80% of nail bed is white): liver disease (cirrhosis)
Half-and-half nails (pink proximally, white distally): renal failure, uremia
Leukonychia punctata (white spots) Minor trauma to nail cuticle or matrix
Transverse striate leukonychia (white lines) Muehrcke lines (transverse white lines): hypoalbuminemia
Mees lines (transverse white lines): heavy metal poisoning (arsenic), renal failure
Green nailsPseudomonas pyocyanea infection (candidiasis)
Blue and brown nailsMedication side effect (quinacrine, chloroquine, minocycline [blue nails], doxorubicin, melphalan, bleomycin, daunorubicin)
Wilson disease
Ochronosis
Psoriasis
Alopecia areata
Consider staining (nicotine, potassium permanganate, varnish)
Black nails (melanonychia) Medication side effects (cyclophosphamide)
Melanonychia striata: common in dark-skinned persons; idiopathic or secondary to trauma or chemotherapy
Nevus (uniform brown longitudinal streak localized to nail)
Melanoma (longitudinal brown-black streak that may encompass entire nail)
Hematoma
Yellow Nail SyndromeLymphedema
AIDS
Bacterial infection
Fungal infection (onychomycosis)
Psoriasis
Alopecia aerata
Cardiopulmonary diseases
Red nails (including red and white streaks) Darier disease
Glomus tumor

Pop-up div Successfully Displayed

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Otherwise it is hidden from view.

This site uses cookies to provide, maintain and improve your experience. MHE Privacy Center Close