Why lunula missing

In the order of 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 absent lunula, the percentages were Logistic regression analysis on depressive outpatients indicated that severe depression was not associated with age and sex but markedly associated with number of absent lunula.

Our study found that depression was associated with absent lunula, and severe depression was associated with a greater number of absent lunula. Lunulae are considered large when they occupy a third or more of the fingernail. They indicate problems with the cardiovascular system, heartbeat disruption, and low blood pressure.

Large lunulae can be often found in athletes and people whose occupation is connected with physical activity. If a person isn't involved in sports, enlarged lunulae may appear because of a high level of stress. Small lunulae, which can be barely seen behind the cuticle, indicate low blood pressure and circulatory disorders. This can be a sign of a weak immune system, poor metabolism, or lack of iron and B If the lunulae are noticeably separated from the rest of the nail plate with transverse lines, it indicates problems with blood sugar levels and the possible development of diabetes.

Don't panic if you haven't found lunulae on your own or your child's nails. They're often not visible on children's nails and appear over time. In some people, they don't appear at all due to physiological specificities of the nail structure. However, a sudden disappearance of lunulae is perceived by modern medicine as one of the symptoms of a circulatory disorder.

This study showed that the absence of lunulae is connected with thyroid gland disorders and a deficit of vitamin B12 and iron. People with vitiligo may develop other disorders , such as thyroid disease, and they are more vulnerable to sunburns and other sun-related skin conditions.

It is, therefore, important to seek medical care. Anemia is a common blood disorder, affecting at least 3 million people in the United States. It happens when the red blood cells that carry iron-rich hemoglobin do not work correctly or when the body does not produce enough red blood cells.

This causes an oxygen deficiency that can result in paleness, including paleness that makes the lunulae invisible. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, usually occurring when a person has either lost blood, such as following a hemorrhage or giving birth. A deficiency can also happen when the body does not properly absorb iron, or a person does not consume enough iron-rich foods.

Other conditions can also cause anemia, including sickle cell anemia , exposure to toxic chemicals, and kidney failure. People undergoing dialysis for kidney failure often do not have half-moons on their nails. Doctors think this is because of anemia due to kidney failure. Kidney failure is not the only potential cause of anemia, or the most common. Therefore, it is important for people who think they might be anemic to see a doctor.

A person with kidney failure may also notice a brown band at the tip of the finger, at the point where the white tip connects to the nail bed. The lunulae may turn red in people with certain types of heart and lung disease, including :. The nails may also change shape or texture, and a person may develop additional symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain. Cirrhosis is a chronic condition that scars and damages the liver, affecting liver function. People with diabetes , those who drink excess alcohol, males, and people over 50 years of age are more vulnerable to cirrhosis.

People with cirrhosis may develop red lunulae. Their nails may also turn white , making it difficult to see the lunulae. This nail change may be an early warning sign of argyria , which is a type of poisoning caused by excess silver exposure. People exposed to chemicals at work or to toxic chemical dust may develop argyria. Wilson disease is a genetic disorder that causes dangerous levels of copper to build up in the body.

This condition can cause a wide range of symptoms, including liver failure, tremors, anxiety , depression , clumsiness, and difficulty walking. Some diseases cause the nails to thicken and turn yellow , obscuring the lunulae. The nails may also curve, and the cuticle, which is the small piece of skin at the beginning of the nail, may change shape or disappear. The most common cause is pleural effusion , which happens when fluid accumulates in the pleura, or the thin tissues that line the lungs and chest.

Other conditions, such as poor circulation and swelling, may also cause the nails to be yellow and the lunulae to disappear. People who have no lunulae but no other symptoms should not worry unduly. Sometimes the lunulae are simply not visible. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to see a doctor to rule out possible medical conditions.