Nail findingAssociated systemic conditions
Shape or growth change
ClubbingInflammatory bowel disease, pulmonary malignancy, asbestosis, chronic bronchitis, COPD, cirrhosis, congenital heart disease, endocarditis, atrioventricular malformations, fistulas
KoilonychiaIron deficiency anemia, hemochromatosis, Raynaud’s disease, SLE, trauma, nail-patella syndrome
OnycholysisPsoriasis, infection, hyperthyroidism, sarcoidosis, trauma, amyloidosis, connective tissue disorders
PittingPsoriasis, Reiter’s syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, alopecia areata
Beau’s linesAny severe systemic illness that disrupts nail growth, Raynaud’s disease, pemphigus, trauma
Yellow nailLymphedema, pleural effusion, immunodeficiency, bronchiectasis, sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome, thyroiditis, tuberculosis, Raynaud’s disease
Color change
Terry’s (white) nailsHepatic failure, cirrhosis, diabetes mellitus, CHF, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition
Azure lunulaHepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson’s disease), silver poisoning, quinacrine therapy
Half-and-half nailsSpecific for renal failure
Muehrcke’s linesSpecific for hypoalbuminemia
Mees’ linesArsenic poisoning, Hodgkin’s disease, CHF, leprosy, malaria, chemotherapy, carbon monoxide poisoning, other systemic insults
Dark longitudinal streaksMelanoma, benign nevus, chemical staining, normal variant in darkly pigmented people
Longitudinal striationsAlopecia areata, vitiligo, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis
Splinter hemorrhageSubacute bacterial endocarditis, SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, peptic ulcer disease, malignancies, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, psoriasis, trauma
TelangiectasiaRheumatoid arthritis, SLE, dermatomyositis, scleroderma