Underlying, less visible health problems sometimes manifest through connected changes in body that show up before actual symptoms appear. These can be useful warning signs for getting scans done and putting treatments in place early. In review of case studies published in American Journal of the Medical Sciences, researchers from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School have clarified link between reddish lunulae, those half-moon shapes at base of fingernails, and wide range of conditions.
These include heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Lunulae only rarely turn red from normal white shade, but when it happens, it’s often due to hidden health issue elsewhere in body. Though researchers acknowledge they aren’t sure exactly why relationship exists, review concludes by calling for full health checks for people with signs of red lunulae to see if something else is going on.
“First described in 1954, numerous other cases have since been delineated and association with cardiovascular, hepatic, hematologic, dermatologic, and rheumatologic disorders has been apparent,” researchers write in published paper.
“Though precise etiology remains unclear, red lunulae may reflect both systemic disease activity or local pathology such as subungual tumors,” they added.
What Do Lunulae Do And Why Do They Turn Red?
Job of nail lunula is to create new cells made of protein keratin, which then push forward and harden to create rest of nail. They’re usually more prominent on big thumbs and big toes.
While red lunulae have been linked with heart disease and other problems for decades, this is most comprehensive review of cases to date.
One of more recent studies analyzed by researchers found discolored nail sections were associated with connective tissue diseases, for example. However, not everyone with these diseases has red lunulae, and not everyone with red lunulae turns out to have underlying condition.
There have also been case studies showing red lunulae in people with alopecia areata and carbon monoxide poisoning. Cardiovascular, autoimmune, and rheumatologic conditions turned up most often in literature, researchers found. Review does note systemic disease is most likely when red coloring is seen on several nails, not just one. With discoloring in single nail, subungual problem, under-the-nail issue, is usually more common.
“If further examination reveals presence of red lunula on single nail along with nail bed infection, subungual tumor, subungual hemorrhage, or red discoloration of entire nail plate or that exceeding borders of lunula, clinical diagnosis of red lunula should probably not be rendered,” researchers write.
Capillary Vasodilation May Explain Red Lunulae Link
Next steps might include looking at biological mechanisms linking red nail parts to various health issues. Capillary vasodilation seems to be what’s happening, which is when tiny blood vessels under nail get wider, increasing blood flow.
Review includes test for doctors to try: pressing down on red lunulae will make them turn white if capillary vasodilation is indeed cause, pointing to something needing attention in vascular system.
There are multiple colors lunula can turn. Blue can indicate diabetes, while brown is associated with kidney disease, for instance. However, main point from this review is not to ignore any red discoloration if it shows up. These easily overlooked nail parts are actually useful windows into body’s health. “Given rarity of occurrence, its potential diagnostic relevance is often overlooked,” researchers write.
“When identifying red lunulae, clinicians should consider connections to underlying systemic or dermatologic disease. This subtle clinical sign may facilitate early detection and identification of salient systemic disease,” they concluded.
The research has been published in American Journal of the Medical Sciences.
Q&A
Q: What do red lunulae on fingernails indicate?
A: Reddish half-moons at nail base may signal heart failure, liver cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other cardiovascular, hepatic, and autoimmune conditions.
Q: Are red lunulae serious warning sign?
A: Rutgers review says red lunulae are rare but often linked to hidden systemic disease, especially when seen on several nails, warranting full health check.
Q: What causes lunulae to turn red?
A: Researchers believe capillary vasodilation, widening of tiny blood vessels under nail, increases blood flow and causes red discoloration.
FAQ
1. Where was red lunulae review published?
Review published in American Journal of the Medical Sciences by researchers from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, most comprehensive review since first described in 1954.
2. Which conditions are most linked to red lunulae?
Cardiovascular, autoimmune, and rheumatologic conditions turned up most often, including heart failure, liver cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue diseases.
3. Does red lunulae on one nail mean systemic disease?
Systemic disease most likely when red coloring seen on several nails; single nail discoloration usually points to subungual infection, hemorrhage, or tumor.
4. How can doctors test red lunulae cause?
Pressing down on red lunulae makes them turn white if capillary vasodilation is cause, pointing to vascular system issue needing attention.
5. What do other lunula colors mean?
Blue lunula can indicate diabetes, brown associated with kidney disease, while red linked to cardiovascular and hepatic disorders.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals or dermatologists for nail changes, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Do not self-diagnose heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or rheumatoid arthritis based on nail appearance alone.
