What is the white part at the bottom of your nail?

The half-moon shape at the base of your fingernail is known as a lunula

lunula

A fingernail moon is also called a lunula, which is Latin for little moon. The place where each nail begins growing is known as the matrix. This is where the new cells are made that will make up the nail. The lunula is part of the matrix.

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No Moons on Fingernails: What Does It Mean? - Healthline

. Lunulae cover the bottom of your nail, just above your cuticle. Lunulae are part of your nail matrix. The matrix refers to the tissue just beneath your nail.

What does the lunula say about your health?

Lunula that have a blueish tint could suggest Wilson's disease, a rare inherited genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in the liver, brain and other organs. Red lunula may indicate heart failure, research shows.

Is the lunula on fingernails healthy?

According to an article from womansera.com, when the lunula is not visible on the nail it may indicate certain blood issues. In addition, the discoloration of the lunula (read: yellow, blue or red) may also be a sign of serious health concerns, including diabetes or heart problems.

Why are my lunula so big?

An excessively large lunula may be an indication of problems with your cardiovascular system, heartbeat and low blood pressure. A large lunula is common in athletes but if it's present in a person who doesn't exercise, it could be an indication of stress.

What are Covid nails?

COVID nails are nail changes that happen a few days or weeks after a COVID-19 infection. They're either a sign that the infection stressed your body, or they could be a rare symptom of the infection itself, depending on your symptoms.

Here’s What The Little Half Moon Under Our Fingernails Means

Does everyone have lunula?

Although everyone has a nail matrix, not everyone will see or have a lunula on each nail. Those who do have a lunula may notice that they vary in appearance across each nail. Read on to learn more about what these half-moons look like, when their appearance could be cause for concern, and when to see your doctor.

Why is my lunula disappearing?

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.

Is it normal to have no half-moon on nails?

Missing half-moon in some cases can be due to malnutrition, depression or anemia. You must consult your doctor if your nail starts appearing red and you experience symptoms like dizziness, anxiety and lightheadedness.

Should I have half moons on my fingernails?

These half-moon shapes are called lunula in medical terms. This is common in every individual, those who cannot see lunula on their nails, means they have a vitamin deficiency or are suffering from a medical condition.

What a healthy nail looks like?

Healthy fingernails are smooth, without pits or grooves. They're uniform in color and consistency and free of spots or discoloration. Sometimes fingernails develop harmless vertical ridges that run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical ridges tend to become more prominent with age.

Why do I only have a lunula on my thumbs?

When lunulae only appear on the thumbs, physical energy is insufficient and disease may be imminent. People with absent fingernail moons are not necessarily ill but they tend to have serious diseases when they do get sick. Conversely, some Western doctors may simply view lunula absence as atypical.

Should nail tips be white or clear?

Healthy nails are transparent and look pink because of the vascular activity under the nail bed. They change to clear or white when they grow out past the skin. Changes to your nail like peeling, splitting, or color alterations may be signs of environmental factors or other medical conditions.

What happens if you don't push your cuticles back?

If left unmanaged, cuticles can continue to overgrow, putting you at risk of other issues. The overgrowth can cause your cuticles to split, which means bacteria and dirt can enter your nail bed and trigger an infection. A nail infection may include not only pain, but also nail redness or discoloration and swelling.

What are the white things on your nails?

Fungi. A common nail fungus called white superficial onychomycosis can appear on the toenails. The first sign of the infection may be a few small white dots on the nails. The infection can grow and spread to the nail bed.

How often should you push back your cuticles?

Pushing back your cuticles should not only be done when you go once a month or every few weeks to get your nails done. It should be part of your regular self-care. That said, pushing back your cuticles should be done every 4 to 7 days because you can overdo it, too.

Why do my nails have black lines?

Those vertical black lines on your nails are called splinter hemorrhages. They can be caused by nail trauma, a poor diet, fungal infection, or an underlying health issue. These typically grow out on their own, but you should see your doctor if they don't.

What does my nails tell me?

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

What are Half moon on nails?

What are Half-Moon on fingernails? Fingernail half-moons are medically called as lunula, or plural lunulae, and we would also call them so, henceforth. Our nails have got some structure, right, which consists of the free-ended, nail plate, that often stores up that cake crumbs, and the one hidden, called nail matrix.

Do ridges in fingernails mean anything?

Ridges in the fingernails are usually signs of aging. Slight vertical ridges commonly develop in older adults. In some cases, ridges may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau's lines, may indicate a serious condition.

Should you cut your cuticles?

Dermatologists say there's no good reason to cut the cuticles. Cutting them could open the door to infection or irritation. "If you remove the cuticle, that space is wide open, and anything can get in there," Scher says. Cutting your cuticles can also lead to nail problems, such as ridges, white spots, or white lines.

Why do nail salons push back cuticles?

These dead skin cells need to be removed to help to prevent hangnails, encourage the growth of the natural nail, and from an aesthetic point of view, to give a clean cosmetic look to the nails. To remove this dead skin, people typically push the cuticle back, but this is how the nail matrix becomes damaged.

Why do nail techs cut cuticles?

Most nail salons may cut cuticles. They claim that doing so helps the polish go on better. Besides, it also helps the polish to stay longer. On your next visit to the salon, ensure to tell your technician to pull the cuticles back and trim loose skin and hangnails.

Why is my skin attached to my nail?

Pterygium inversum unguis (PIU) occurs when the hyponychium attaches to the underside of the nail as it grows. It's an uncommon condition, but it's a common cause of skin overgrowth under the fingernail. Scientists don't fully understand PIU. However, they do know it can be present from birth or acquired later.

What color should be under your fingernails?

They're a pink or mauve color.

Your nails should generally appear to be a pale sort of pink or mauve. And it's not actually the nails themselves that are the color, it's the tissue underneath. "A nice healthy nail will have a pinkish or mauve hue as it reflects the color of the nail bed underneath," Dr.

Why are my nail beds white?

Do they look pale or white? This could mean you have a low red blood cell count. White nails also can signal liver disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, heart failure, or a lack of nutrients in your diet. If your nails are mostly white with a narrow pink band at the tip, you have a condition called Terry's nails.