Red lunulae
Medical condition
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Red lunulae is characterized by a dusky erythema confined to the lunulae, as has been reported in association with alopecia areata.[1]: 791 It is most commonly seen on the thumbnail.
| Red lunulae | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology |
Signs and symptoms
Causes
Increased arteriolar blood flow, the vasodilatory capacitance phenomenon, and modifications to the optical characteristics of the nail plate overlaying the blood vessel, which accentuates the normal blood vessels, have all been proposed as possible causes of the red lunula.[4][5]
Disorders associated with red lunulae include systemic lupus erythematosus, reticulosarcoma, psoriasis, hepatic cirrhosis, lymphogranuloma venereum, rheumatoid arthritis, alopecia areata, cardiac failure, and carbon monoxide poisoning.[4]
History
Terry originally reported red lunulae in patients in 1954.[6]