Are White, Patchy Lines On The Ring And Little Finger Indicative Of Renal Disease?
Question: I have developed white, patchy lines from the middle of both the ring and little fingers. Is this a sign of renal disease?
Brief Answer:
Can be due to several causes including renal failure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query.
Kidney failure can produce white patchy lines on the nails.
Other changes can be
Yellow or opaque coloring
Brittle nails
Pitted nails (can easily break off or fall off)
Linear depressions across the fingernail (called Beau’s lines)
Ridge-shaped nails
Raised ridges, thin and concave shaped (called koilonychia)
But there are other causes like nutritional deficiency and minor traumas that are more common to produce white lines.
Since you are concerned, please check your kidney functions and let me know.
Best wishes,
Can be due to several causes including renal failure
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM and thank you for your query.
Kidney failure can produce white patchy lines on the nails.
Other changes can be
Yellow or opaque coloring
Brittle nails
Pitted nails (can easily break off or fall off)
Linear depressions across the fingernail (called Beau’s lines)
Ridge-shaped nails
Raised ridges, thin and concave shaped (called koilonychia)
But there are other causes like nutritional deficiency and minor traumas that are more common to produce white lines.
Since you are concerned, please check your kidney functions and let me know.
Best wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I am currently at my residence in FL and will not return to my primary home in MA until May. Should I call my physician in MA and request an order for a kidney function test Immediately? Also, can anything be done to reverse kidney damage?
Brief Answer:
It is good to know the kidney functions
Detailed Answer:
It would be good to know your kidney functions as early as possible.
Since you do not have any other symptom of kidney failure, I expect them to be normal. The normal results will give you better peace of mind. In case they turn out to be abnormal, we have to look at the cause.
Reversibility is dependent on the cause.
There are now good ways of treating kidney problems.
So don't worry, let us get the facts and then we will take it up from there.
Best wishes,
It is good to know the kidney functions
Detailed Answer:
It would be good to know your kidney functions as early as possible.
Since you do not have any other symptom of kidney failure, I expect them to be normal. The normal results will give you better peace of mind. In case they turn out to be abnormal, we have to look at the cause.
Reversibility is dependent on the cause.
There are now good ways of treating kidney problems.
So don't worry, let us get the facts and then we will take it up from there.
Best wishes,
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar