Muehrcke’s nails – Knowledge and References

Muehrcke's nails

Principles of Clinical Diagnosis

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Published in Susan Bayliss Mallory, Alanna Bree, Peggy Chern, Illustrated Manual of Pediatric Dermatology, 2005

Susan Bayliss Mallory, Alanna Bree, Peggy Chern

Muehrcke’s nails Paired white parallel bands seen with hypoalbuminemiaBands do not move

Development of Terry’s nails after a gastrointestinal bleed

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Published in Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 2021

Christine P. Lin, Mahmud Alkul, Jay M. Truitt, Cloyce L. Stetson

The differential diagnoses for Terry’s nails include Lindsay’s (half and half) nails, Muehrcke’s nails, and true leukonchyia.1 Although both Terry’s nails and Lindsay’s nails are associated with chronic kidney disease and characterized by ground-glass opacities, the proximal nail bed whiteness in Terry’s nails occupies approximately 80% of nail while only about half of the proximal nail bed is opacified in Lindsay’s nails.1,4 In Muehrcke’s nails, transverse white lines run parallel to the lunula and are separated by areas of normal pink nail bed color. They are often seen in association with hypoalbuminemia (e.g., from nephrotic syndrome, liver diseases, malnutrition) and chemotherapy.5 True leukonychia may mimic Terry’s nails, but true leukonychia involves the nail plate instead of the nail bed. Thus, a true leukonychia will grow out with the nail while Terry’s nails retain the proximal nail discoloration as the nail grows out.1

Muehrcke's nails

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Principles of Clinical Diagnosis

Development of Terry’s nails after a gastrointestinal bleed