What is Terry’s nails?
Terry’s nails is when most of your fingernail or toenail looks white, like frosted glass, except for a thin brown or pink strip at the tip. People with Terry’s nails don’t have a half-moon shape (lunula) near their cuticles. Instead, nearly the whole nail looks washed out.
If you have Terry’s nails, it usually affects all your fingernails. But you can also have it on just one fingernail or one toenail.
Some people develop Terry’s nails as part of the usual aging process. In others, Terry’s nails is a sign of an underlying disease.
Terry’s nails is a type of leukonychia. Leukonychia refers to white discoloration in one or multiple nails.
Advertisem*nt
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Where does the name Terry’s nails come from?
Terry’s nails gets its name from the doctor who first noticed that the symptom occurred along with specific diseases. In the 1950s, Richard Terry found that more than 8 out of 10 people with severe liver scarring (cirrhosis) also had white nails.
What is the difference between Terry’s nails and Lindsay’s nails?
Terry’s nails appears as a mostly white or washed-out nailbed. Lindsay’s nails refers to nails that are half white and half brown or red.
Both Terry’s nails and Lindsay’s nails can be signs of an underlying condition. People with liver disease are more likely to have Terry’s nails. People with kidney disease are more likely to have Lindsay’s nails.
FAQs
The nailbeds look “washed out,” except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Often, Terry's nails is a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes. Sometimes, it is a sign of aging. If you have Terry's nails, see a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
What is the most common cause of terry nails? ›
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.
What vitamin deficiency causes Terry's nails? ›
White streaks or spots, known as leukonychia, is often caused by medications or disease. Sometimes zinc deficiency will cause white spots, but the spots may be harmless. One type of leukonychia is called Terry's nails.
Can fatty liver cause terry nails? ›
The progression of liver disease and cirrhosis have a multitude of extrahepatic manifestations. These findings include spider angiomata, Terry's nails, palmar erythema, hepatosplenomegaly, jaundice, scleral icterus, and caput medusa (see Table 1) (1,2).
How do you know if your nails are affected by your liver? ›
White Nails
If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. In this image, you can see the fingers are also jaundiced, another sign of liver trouble.
How to get rid of terry's nails? ›
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for Terry's nails. Doctors can treat the underlying condition causing Terry's nails. Therefore, visit your doctor immediately if you notice the first signs of liver disease.
What can be mistaken for Terry's nails? ›
The differential diagnosis for Terry's nails includes half-and-half nails (Lindsay's nails), Muehrcke's nails, and true leukonychia totalis/partialis. Having the ability to delineate these nail findings can be a valuable tool in clinical practice as each entity is associated with a different set of systemic conditions.
Should I be worried about Terry's nails? ›
Experts think that people with Terry's nails have fewer blood vessels near their nailbeds. But Terry's nails can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, such as: Cirrhosis. Congestive heart failure.
What do B12 deficiency nails look like? ›
Nail changes in vitamin B12 deficiency present as hyperpigmentation of nails like bluish discoloration of nails, blue-black pigmentation with dark longitudinal streaks, and longitudinal and reticulate darkened streaks. The nail pigmentation associated with B12 deficiency is more frequent in patients with dark skin.
Can aging cause terrys nails? ›
Terry nail, an apparent leukonychia characterized by a proximal white band and distal transverse pink band, is usually seen in liver cirrhosis and chronic congestive heart failure, but recently it has been observed as a nonpathologic change of the normal aging process.
Changes in nail shape and texture
Iron deficiency or overproduction may cause the nail bed's center to look like it had been scooped out, a condition known as spoon nails. Cardiovascular, pulmonary and gastrointestinal problems may also appear in the nails as curves around an enlarged fingertip, known as clubbing.
What do kidney disease nails look like? ›
Nail changes.
People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails. White bands running across one or more nails (Muehrcke's nails)
What do diabetic fingernails look like? ›
In some people with diabetes, the nails take on a yellowish hue and become brittle. This is often associated with the breakdown of sugar and its effect on the collagen in nails. In certain cases, this yellowing of nails can be a sign of a nail infection.
What are the first signs your liver is struggling? ›
If there are symptoms of liver disease, they may include:
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. ...
- Belly pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine.
- Pale stool.
- Constant tiredness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Nails of the feet
- Nails of big toes: Spleen and Liver channel and organs.
- Nails of 2nd and 3rd toe: Stomach channel and organ.
- Nails of 4th toe: Gallbladder channel and organ.
- Nails of little toe: Urinary bladder channel and organ.
Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits and slightly reddish. Any discoloration or paleness can be a sign of serious health concerns. Pale nails reflect problems with your liver, kidney or heart. It can be a sign of anemia, liver problems, heart congestion or malnourishment.
What deficiency causes bendy nails? ›
tip 1: why are my nails weak and bendy? Sometimes, weak nails can be caused by a deficiency in B vitamins, iron, calcium or fatty acids – you might want to take a multivitamin that includes both vitamin B and calcium, but it's better to avoid taking iron supplements unless you know for sure that you have a deficiency.
What do fingernails look like with kidney disease? ›
People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails. White bands running across one or more nails (Muehrcke's nails)
What is the leading cause of nail fungus? ›
You're more likely to get a fungal nail infection if you: don't keep your feet clean and dry. wear shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty. walk around barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread easily, like communal showers, locker rooms and gyms.
Why am I getting so many rag nails? ›
The main cause of hangnails is routinely dry skin. The best way to prevent this is to exercise skin care and nail care and use a moisturizer. Use daily hand cream or cuticle oils to keep the area around your fingernails from getting dry. This is especially useful in drier and colder geographic areas.
