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What Do Dark Bands Near The Fingernail Tips Indicate?

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Posted on Wed, 18 Jun 2014
Question: noticed dark bands near my fingernail tips. I was diagnoaed with celiac disease 2 yrs ago. 150 mg ranitidine and probiotic 2x day. B12 aupplement recent.
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Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Celiac disease can be cause;but rule out others

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

Based on the provided image, I can only suspect that the given appearance could be what we call 'Terry's nails'.

Terrys nails are when most of the finger or toenail appears to be white, and the tips have a characteristic dark band at the tip.

Terrys nails at times can be completely harmless and is seen due to age, but in other cases it is seen due to congestive heart conditions, circulatory abnormalities (or conditions that lead to poor vascular health like celiac disease), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, various liver conditions, etc.

Given that you are an early elderly aged male, I would recommend a visit to your family doctor to get thoroughly examined. I would also highly recommend this as I cannot physically examine you through an online condition. Also important is your medical history, whether or not you already have any of the above mentioned conditions, and if so then treatment might have to be re-looked.

I would now like to shed some light on celiac disease which has already been diagnosed in you. One of the common symptoms of the disease is vascular injury which can result in poor health of the blood vessels, which in turn can result in poor circulation. This poor circulation can also result in the presentation being discussed.

Now looking into the two possibilities in this context; 1. if this is due to celiac disease, then we need to pay more attention to vascular health, 2. rule out all other conditions that could cause such a presentation to make sure the celiac disease is the cause and not any other undiagnosed condition.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.

Best wishes.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Do Dark Bands Near The Fingernail Tips Indicate?

Brief Answer: Celiac disease can be cause;but rule out others Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. Based on the provided image, I can only suspect that the given appearance could be what we call 'Terry's nails'. Terrys nails are when most of the finger or toenail appears to be white, and the tips have a characteristic dark band at the tip. Terrys nails at times can be completely harmless and is seen due to age, but in other cases it is seen due to congestive heart conditions, circulatory abnormalities (or conditions that lead to poor vascular health like celiac disease), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, malnutrition, various liver conditions, etc. Given that you are an early elderly aged male, I would recommend a visit to your family doctor to get thoroughly examined. I would also highly recommend this as I cannot physically examine you through an online condition. Also important is your medical history, whether or not you already have any of the above mentioned conditions, and if so then treatment might have to be re-looked. I would now like to shed some light on celiac disease which has already been diagnosed in you. One of the common symptoms of the disease is vascular injury which can result in poor health of the blood vessels, which in turn can result in poor circulation. This poor circulation can also result in the presentation being discussed. Now looking into the two possibilities in this context; 1. if this is due to celiac disease, then we need to pay more attention to vascular health, 2. rule out all other conditions that could cause such a presentation to make sure the celiac disease is the cause and not any other undiagnosed condition. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help. Best wishes.