Kidney Disease and Nails: Possible Nail Symptoms

Nail changes, such as color or structural changes, can occur in people living with kidney disease. You may be able to manage these nail changes with topical treatments, oral medications, or supplements. Therapies to address the underlying kidney disease may also help resolve nail symptoms.Nail changes may be an early indicator of kidney disease. If you notice changes in your nails, contact your doctor.

Read on to learn more about nail changes in kidney disease, their features, and how to care for your nails.

Your kidneys are responsible for filtering your blood and removing waste products from your bloodstream. Kidney disease is a progressive condition that reduces this function.

Kidney disease can affect every system in the body, including the nails. Fingernail and toenail changes are common in people with chronic kidney disease. They may be distressing, painful, or infectious.Nail changes can be an early symptom of kidney disease, which often doesn't cause noticeable symptoms until later stages.

Lindsay's nails, also called half-and-half nails, appear white near the base of the nail and discolored toward the tip.

Nickyay, 2016

Leukonychia refers to white spots on the nails.

Photography courtesy of Londonsista/Wikimedia

Beau's lines are horizontal cracks in the nails.

Singal A, Arora R. Nail as a window of systemic diseases. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015;6(2):67-74. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.153002

Splinter hemorrhages are ruptures in small blood vessels that cause thin, dark streaks in the nail.

Splarka, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia

Common nail changes related to kidney disease include discoloration, structural changes, and infections. According to one study, 80% of people with chronic renal failure had at least one nail symptom.

Nail color changes caused by chronic kidney failure may include the following:

People with chronic kidney disease may experience changes in nail shape, thickness, or integrity. These symptoms can include:

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection that causes thick, yellow, and flaky nails. The yellowing may occur in longitudinal stripes. Diagnosing onychomycosis involves collecting and examining a sample of nail debris from underneath the end of the nail.

Kidney disease may not cause symptoms until it has advanced to the point of kidney failure. Blood testing may be the only way to know if your kidneys aren't functioning as they should.

Doctors define kidney failure as the point where kidney function drops to less than 15% of healthy functioning. When the kidneys fail, you may develop symptoms related to fluid retention and poor blood filtration. These can include:

Learn more about the stages of chronic kidney disease.

Treatment for nail symptoms due to kidney disease may involve addressing the underlying kidney problem. It may also involve methods to manage nail symptoms directly.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority Go to source recommends some ways to protect your kidney function or slow kidney deterioration. These include:

People experiencing kidney failure may need renal replacement therapy. This involves using different methods to replace kidney function.

For example, hemodialysis involves filtering your blood through a dialyzer, which is a machine outside your body. This is generally done in a dialysis center.

Peritoneal dialysis works by administering a prescribed dialysis fluid through a small catheter into your abdomen. You will leave the fluid inside your abdomen for a period of time, where it will absorb waste products.

In severe cases, kidney transplantation may be Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source necessary.

Learn more about the outlook and life expectancy for people with kidney disease.

Some nail changes caused by kidney failure may respond better to treatment than others.

For example, some topical and oral antifungal medications can help Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source treat onychomycosis. Also, ridging, splitting, and peeling nails m Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to sourcea Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to sourcey improve Trusted Source PubMed Central Highly respected database from the National Institutes of Health Go to source with:

Be sure to inform your physician about all medications and supplements you are taking.

Kidney disease can lead to changes in your nails due to a variety of causes. Nail changes may be the first sign of kidney issues and may even help confirm a diagnosis.

You may wish to notify your doctor if you experience changes to the shape, color, or structure of your nails. Treatments will vary depending on the type of nail problem and the underlying cause.

Talk with your doctor about ways to protect and maintain the health of your kidneys and nails.