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White lines across nails

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by zsuzsanna, Apr 28, 2011.

  1. zsuzsanna

    zsuzsanna Active Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    Could you please tell me what white lines running parallel to the nail bed signify? Surely it can't be Calcium deposits? The nail has the appearance of a 'zebra'!
    All suggestions gratefully accepted!
     
  2. blinda

    blinda MVP


    Not without a picture! and medical history.....;)
     
  3. Johnpod

    Johnpod Active Member

    Hi Zsuzsanna,

    I'd be thinking in terms of heavy pedicure? or some episodic trauma such as weekend walking/running?

    The transverse lines are suggestive of some periodic trauma transmitted by the nailplate to the germinal matrix. Short shoes? Walking downhill?
     
  4. anDRe

    anDRe Active Member

    Leukonychia striata, or transverse leukonychia may be Mees' lines or Muehrcke's lines?

    Like Blinda said the medical history and photos would help a lot! The differential diagnosis of dermatological diseases is very vast and complex!
     
  5. zsuzsanna

    zsuzsanna Active Member

    There has been trauma in 2003. The nail was black and the damamged part removed. The nails have had these white striations since 2004. She has tried Terbinafine in 2005 for 5 weeks, Loceryl from 2006 for two years. There has been no change since then.
     
  6. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Hi Zsuzsanna,

    OK, this is the information that you have supplied, thus far;

    We`d like to be able to help, but I`m afraid you haven`t supplied enough relevant information to even begin. To hazard a guess at your patients condition, without first looking at the global picture (i.e. age and occupation of pt, overall physical health, systemic conditions, previous treatments, etc) and local manifestation, is foolhardy.

    You state that there was trauma in 2003. Can you please elaborate on what this trauma consisted of? Which part of the nail was discoloured? You state part of it was removed, who did this and how? How many and specifically which nails are manifesting symptoms? Are they painful? Are there any other lesions or conditions in the surrounding tissue? Was the terbinafine topical or oral? Why did she use this, i.e. were nail clippings and subungual tissue taken for microscopy and culture?

    Without trying to state the bleedin` obvious; The most important aspect of diagnosing any dermatological condition, is observation. If you can`t obtain a photo, then a more detailed description will assist us in trying to help you.

    Cheers,
    Bel
     
  7. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Talking of which.....here is the link to the The University of the Bleedin` Obvious;

    http://www.bleeding-obvious.co.uk/

    Be sure to check out the Medical Glossary in Doctor Adolphous Bongo`s Casebook. Here`s a taster, akin to `dropped met heads`;);

    DRIFTING BONES
    Bones can often drift considerable distances, leaving parts of the patient floppy and completely unsupported. In one extremely severe case I treated a man whose skull had slipped down the entire length of his body and had ended up in his sock. Naturally, this was of great concern to him - not only did his hat keep falling off, but he couldn't get his shoes on.


    Enjoy your weekend!

    Cheers,
    Bel
     
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