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Lunula nails: What does it mean when you have no Lunula

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Lunula nails: What does it mean when you have no Lunula

What are fingernail moons?

Nail moons are rounded shadows at the base of the nails. A moon of nails is also called a lunula, which in Latin means small moon. The place where each nail begins to grow is known as the matrix. This is where the new cells that make up the nail are manufactured. The lunula is part of the matrix

What does it mean to have no half-moon on the nails?

Not being able to see nail moons doesn't always mean something goes wrong in your health. Sometimes you may not see the lunula on your thumbs, or maybe not on your fingers. In these cases, the lunula is most likely hidden under the skin.

Most people have a small whitish crescent shape at the base of each nail, where the nail joins the cuticle and finger. Some people may not see a crescent, or boil, on the fingernail, while the absence of a crescent may suggest that a person has a vitamin deficiency or a serious medical condition.

Nails grow from a bag under the skin that doctors call the womb. The matrix helps create new cells. These cells come together and come out of the skin. The lunula, or plural lunulae, is the visible part of the matrix, although it can sometimes be difficult to see.

Some people only notice the lunula on their thumbs. Skin color and other factors can make the lunula more or less visible.

Because the lunula is the newest part of the nail, it can provide clues about a person's health. The absence of a lunula does not always indicate a serious health problem, but it is a good idea to discuss the issue with a doctor.

Although the connection is not fully understood, the absence of lunula may indicate anemia, malnutrition, and depression. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms along with the absence of a boil:

    • lightheadedness or dizziness
    • unusual cravings, such as dirt or clay
    • fatigue
    • weakness
    • loss of interest in your favorite activities
    • significant weight gain or weight loss

The following conditions may cause the lunula to disappear or be less visible:

Malnourishment

lunula-nail

 

Malnutrition due to extreme diets, diseases that affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients, and eating disorders can cause nail changes.

People with B-12 deficiency may notice that their lymphomas go away. They may also develop brown-grey nails.

Blood tests can identify many vitamin and mineral deficiencies. A doctor can help a person determine the deficiencies they are most susceptible to, based on diet, lifestyle, health, and other factors.

Vitiligo

Vitiligo

Vitiligo is a chronic skin disease that causes the skin to lose color, usually in the form of spots. This occurs when the body attacks melanocytes, the skin cells that color the skin.

Some people with vitiligo may develop nail changes, including loss of boils. A 2016 study of 100 people with vitiligo and 100 without it found that nail changes were common with the disorder. However, 13 of those who did not have vitiligo and 13 of those who had vitiligo did not have lunula, suggesting that the absence of a lunula may be equally common in both groups.

People with vitiligo may develop other disorders, such as thyroid diseases, and are more susceptible to sunburn and other sun-related skin conditions. Therefore, it is important to seek medical advice.

Anemia

Anemia

Anemia is a common blood disorder that affects at least 3 million people in the United States.

It occurs when red blood cells that carry iron-rich hemoglobin do not function properly or when the body does not produce enough red blood cells. This causes an oxygen deficiency that can lead to paleness, including the paleness that makes theules invisible.

Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, which usually occurs when a person has lost blood, such as after bleeding or childbirth.

Deficiency can also occur when the body does not absorb iron properly or the person does not eat enough iron-rich foods.

Other conditions can also cause anemia, such as sickle cell anemia, exposure to toxic chemicals, and kidney failure.

Kidney failure

Kidney-failure

People on dialysis for kidney failure don't usually have half-moons in their nails.

Doctors believe this is due to anemia due to kidney failure. Kidney failure is not the only or most common cause of anemia potential. Therefore, it is important for people who think they may have anemia to see their doctor.

A person with kidney failure may also notice a brown band at the tip of the finger, where the white tip connects to the nail bed.

Heart and lung disease

Lunula can turn red in people with certain types of heart and lung disease, such as

    • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
    • Heart failure
    • collagen vascular disease
    • Nails can also change shape or texture, and the person may develop additional symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain.

And many other diseases:

      • Yellow nail syndrome
      • Wilson disease
      • Silver poisoning
      • Cirrhosis

Other abnormal lunula features

Azure lunula

Azure lunula describes a phenomenon in which nail moons turn blue. This may indicate Wilson's disease, also called hepatolenticular degeneration. Wilson's disease is a rare hereditary genetic disorder that causes excessive accumulation of copper in the liver, brain, and other vital organs.

Wilson's disease has other symptoms than azure lunula, which include:

    • fatigue
    • lack of appetite
    • abdominal pain
    • jaundice (yellowed skin)
    • golden-brown eye discoloration
    • fluid buildup in the legs
    • problems with speech
    • uncontrolled movements
Pyramidal lunula

The pyramidal lunule occurs when the moons of the nail form a triangle. Most often, this is due to a bad manicure or other nail trauma. The moons can stay that way until the nail grows back and the tissue heals completely.

The bottom line

In most cases, not having moons on your fingers is no sign of anything serious. However, if you don't see moons, or if you notice changes in the shape or color of your moons, as well as other symptoms, you'll need to see your doctor. They will ensure that you do not have an underlying health condition that needs to be treated.

Related Content:
The Lunula Nail, Everything You Need To Know About
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