4 Reasons White Lines Appear on Your Nails and What to Do About Them
Updated on August 6, 2025
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Before you worry too much: Most white streaks on nails are harmless. However, if you have similar lines on many nails or a pair of lines that runs all the way across the nail, these could be signs indicating that something more serious is going on.
Read on to learn why you may experience certain nail abnormalities, and find out how to get rid of white lines on nails.
1. You Injured Your Nail
White lines on nails — technically called leukonychia — most often result from minor trauma to the nail. These marks usually appear as irregular white streaks or spots.
They can be caused by things like biting your nails or accidentally whacking your hand on your desk, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Fix It
These random white lines will typically move along the nail unchanged as the nail grows. Eventually, these lines will reach the end of the nail, where they can be clipped or filed off. Try to avoid the damaging behavior, such as biting or picking at your nails, that may be causing the trauma to the nail. You may also want to take a break from harsh manicures.
2. You Have a Fungal Infection
When fungal infections of the nail first appear, they sometimes look like faint white lines. With time they will spread, become more irregular in shape, and develop a yellowish tinge, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Fix It
Fungal infections may require treatment by a doctor. They might prescribe you an oral antifungal medication and a topical cream, ointment, or gel that you would rub on the affected nails.
3. You Have Muehrcke Lines
In some instances, white lines on the nails appear as a pair of parallel lines that run horizontally across the nail from one side to the other. These are known as Muehrcke lines, and they stay in the same place and don’t move when the nail grows.
If you squeeze your nail, Muehrcke lines will temporarily disappear. They’re usually caused by hypoalbuminemia, or low levels of the protein albumin in your blood, which could possibly be due to poor nutrition, liver disease, or kidney problems.
Fix It
Improving protein levels will usually improve these lines as well, sometimes by blood infusion If you think you have these types of lines, talk to your doctor about how to best treat the underlying cause.
4. You Have Mees’ Lines
Mees’ lines are an uncommon cause of white lines on the nails. They are tiny breaks in the nail, which move up the nail as it grows. Mees’ lines also run horizontally across the nail and extend the entire width of the nail bed, and they don’t disappear when the nail is squeezed, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Mees’ lines have historically been linked to heavy metal poisoning from arsenic or other toxins. But these white lines on your nails could also be related to carbon monoxide poisoning, altitude sickness, heart failure, chemotherapy, malaria, or other serious health concerns, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
Fix It
If you notice these types of lines, visit your doctor. They’ll likely do a physical exam and test your hair, nail, and blood for clues to the underlying condition. They’ll determine the best course of treatment depending on those results.
When to See a Doctor
If you’re wondering whether or not you should be worried about lines on your nails, consider talking to a doctor for peace of mind, especially if you also have symptoms like weakness, fatigue, or shortness of breath. You should also talk to a doctor if the white lines on your nails don’t go away after the trauma heals or after antifungal treatment should have kicked in or if the streaks or spots on your nails are a recent change.
The Takeaway
- White lines on your nails are usually nothing to worry about and are often the result of minor trauma like biting or bumping your nails.
- In some cases, however, they may point to more serious concerns, such as fungal infection, low protein levels, or even exposure to toxins.
- The appearance and behavior of the lines — whether they move with nail growth or stay in place — can help provide clues to the underlying causes.
- If the marks don’t go away, or if you experience other symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath, speak to your doctor.
Common Questions & Answers
What about vertical white lines on nails?
Rarely, white lines will start at the base of the nail and run along the length of the nail toward the tip. Some of these are present from birth, whereas others develop later in life due to damage at the base of the nail. Vertical white lines or ridges on your nails are generally harmless and don’t need treatment, notes the Mayo Clinic.
Can stress cause white lines on nails?
Stress and anxiety don’t typically cause white lines on your nails, according to the Cleveland Clinic, but your mental health can lead to horizontal ridges or dents in your nails called Beau’s lines, which are a sign that an illness, injury, or a skin condition interrupted your nail growth.
Can vitamin deficiencies cause white lines on nails?
White lines or ridges on your nails may be due to deficiencies in zinc, calcium, or B-complex vitamins, according to one review from India, but more research is needed to fully understand this link.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- White Spots on Nails (Leukonychia). Cleveland Clinic. September 14, 2023.
- Fungal Infections (Mycosis). Cleveland Clinic. October 25, 2022.
- Ramachandran V et al. Muehrcke Lines of the Fingernails. StatPearls. July 31, 2023.
- Moman RN et al. Physiology, Albumin. StatPearls. December 26, 2022.
- Mees’ Lines. Cleveland Clinic. May 3, 2022.
Additional Sources
- Are Nail Ridges in Fingernails Cause for Concern? Mayo Clinic. February 4, 2025.
- Beau’s Lines. Cleveland Clinic. May 3, 2022.
- Singal A et al. Nail as a Window of Systemic Diseases. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. March–April 2015.
Meet Our Experts
Sarah Klein
Author
Sarah Klein is a Boston-based health journalist with over 15 years experience in lifestyle media. She has held staff positions at Livestrong.com, Health.com, Prevention, and Huffington Post. She is a graduate of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, and a National Academy of Sports Medicine–certified personal trainer. She moderated a panel on accessibility in fitness at SXSW in 2022, completed the National Press Foundation's 2020 Vaccine Boot Camp, and attended the Mayo Clinic's Journalist Residency in 2019.