Muehrcke Lines

What are Muehrcke lines?

Muehrcke lines are white, horizontal lines across your fingernails. There are usually two or more of them on each nail (it’s rare to see them on your thumbs). Some things you might notice about Muehrcke lines:

• They don’t feel raised or have a different texture when you run your fingers over them.
• They disappear when you press on them.
• They don’t grow out as your nails do.
• You may also have pain and tenderness in your fingers (though the lines themselves aren’t harmful).

They’re named after Robert Muehrcke, who first described them in 1956. They’re also called Muehrcke’s nails.

What causes Muehrcke lines?

While Muehrcke lines look like white lines on your nails, experts think blood vessel abnormalities create an increase in pressure under your nails. This makes the tissue underneath appear white. Most people who have Muehrcke lines have low levels of albumin (hypoalbuminemia), a protein made in your liver. Conditions that cause hypoalbuminemia include:

• Nephrotic syndrome, a condition where your kidneys release too much protein into your pee
• Glomerulonephritis, inflammation of the small parts of your kidneys that filter your blood
• Liver disease
• Malnutrition, or lack of nutrients to help your body function properly
• Severe niacin deficiency (pellagra)

People on chemotherapy treatment for cancer also sometimes get Muehrcke lines, even without low albumin levels.

How are Muehrcke lines diagnosed?

A healthcare provider can usually diagnose Muehrcke lines just by looking at your nails. They’ll ask you about your medical history and do a physical exam. They may test your blood or your pee (urinalysis) to diagnose the underlying cause.

Are Muehrcke lines serious?

Muehrcke lines aren’t serious on their own. But they could be a sign of an underlying health condition that you need to see a provider to treat. They also might come with other uncomfortable symptoms. If you’re on chemotherapy, you could have Muehrcke lines and pain in your fingers that makes them hard to use.

How do you get rid of Muehrcke lines?

Muehrcke lines should go away if you treat the condition that’s causing them. If you have low albumin levels, your provider might give you supplemental albumin through an IV in a vein.

Can Muehrcke lines be prevented?

Since they’re caused by other conditions, there’s nothing specific you can do to prevent Muehrcke lines. Managing underlying conditions that affect your albumin levels can reduce your risk of getting Muehrcke lines and more serious symptoms of hypoalbuminemia.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

Muehrcke lines aren’t harmful on their own, but they could mean that you have an underlying health condition. They could also be a sign that you need additional treatment for a chronic health condition you were already aware of. Contact a healthcare provider if you have Muehrcke lines, especially if you also have pain, weakness or other symptoms. They can figure out if there’s another condition that you should treat.

What’s the difference between Muehrcke lines, Mee’s lines and Beau’s lines?

Muehrcke lines, Mee’s lines and Beau’s lines are all types of nail whitening (leukonychia). But they all have different causes and appearances. For instance, Mee’s lines grow out with your nail and you can feel Beau’s lines when you touch your nail (Muehrcke lines don’t grow out and you can’t feel them).