Key takeaways:
A lunula is the white, half-moon shape at the base of your nails. Not everyone has a visible lunula.
Missing lunulae can be due to genetics, age, nail thickness, or cuticle thickness.
Sometimes, missing lunulae can be related to health issues, like poor circulation or nutritional deficiencies.
Table of contents
Age
Cuticles
Anemia
Red appearance
Kidney disease
Liver disease
When to seek care
FAQs
Bottom line
References
Getting a manicure can feel like a moment of luxury, whether you’re going for a classic French tip or a bold design. As you admire your nails, have you ever noticed the small, white, half-moon shape at the base of each one? That’s your lunula. The lunula is the visible part of your nail matrix, the specialized tissue that creates your nails.
Lunulae (plural) are usually easier to spot on larger nails, like on your thumb.
If your lunulae seem to be missing or look different, it’s reasonable to wonder why. Here’s why you may not have lunulae on your nails.
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1. Age
Your nails change as you get older. As you age, your fingernails will grow more slowly. They also tend to become thicker and more brittle. Some people also notice that their nails take on a different hue. Nails may look yellowish, gray, or dull.
These changes can make your nails less translucent, which makes it harder to see lunulae. Your lunulae are still there. But you may not be able to see them clearly or completely.
2. Cuticle length
Your cuticles are the thin layer of skin that grows at the base of your fingernails. The cuticle creates a barrier around your nail matrix, keeping it safe from dirt and germs. There’s no “right length” when it comes to cuticles. But some people have naturally longer cuticles. A long cuticle can cover part of the lunula, making it harder to see. Rest assured, your lunula is still there but it’s just hidden. There’s no need to trim your cuticles in order to see your lunula. Your nails will still continue to grow regardless of whether or not your lunula is visible. And cutting your cuticles can lead to infections.
3. Anemia
People with anemia don’t have enough red blood cells. Many things can cause anemia. But having low iron levels is the most common cause.
Anemia makes you look more pale because you have fewer red blood cells carrying oxygen. Pallor is usually more noticeable on your gums, the palms of your hands, and on the inside of your eyelids. But you can also spot this effect in your nailbeds. People with anemia also develop pallor underneath their nails. Pallor can make it harder to see lunula because it lessens the color contrast between your nail and your lunula.
Anemia can also cause white spots on your nails and make your nails brittle and prone to splitting.
Everyone's nails look a little different. Wondering whether you have healthy nails or not? Look for these signs of healthy nails.
Struggling with nail discoloration? Here’s how to get rid of yellow nails.
Are your nails thin and prone to cracking? Find out what causes brittle nails and how to prevent them.
4. Red appearance
Many medical conditions can make your lunula look red instead of white. Red lunulae are harder to see since they blend in with the color of your nail bed. Again, the lunulae are still there, but you might not be able to see them easily.
Medical conditions that can cause red lunulae include:
Heart failure
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Liver cirrhosis
Chronic urticaria (hives)
Psoriasis
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Dermatomyositis
5. Chronic kidney disease
Chronic kidney disease can change your nail appearance and color. Some people develop a split-color appearance where the top half of the nail looks more reddish-brown and the bottom half looks more white. The white discoloration in the bottom half of the nail makes it harder to see the lunula. This split color appearance is called Lindsay’s nails or “half-and-half nails.”
6. Liver disease
Liver disease, especially cirrhosis (liver scarring), can also cause nail color changes. People with advanced liver disease can develop a condition called Terry's nails. In this situation, the nail itself turns white and looks like frosted glass. This change makes it almost impossible to see the lunula. Some people only develop these changes on the bottom half of their nails. The top half may still have a normal red or pink tinge.
When should you seek medical care for absent lunulae?
Changes in your lunulae don't always mean something's wrong. But sometimes these changes deserve medical attention. You should seek care if you have new nail changes along with any other symptoms, even subtle ones like:
Weight changes
Tiredness (fatigue)
Skin changes
Hair loss
You should also contact your medical team if you have new or worsening nail changes and a history of any chronic medical conditions. Nail changes could be your body’s way of letting you know that you need a change in your plan of care.
Frequently asked questions
Are you supposed to have half-moons on all your nails?
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You have a lunula (half-moons) on all of your nails. But it can be harder to see on some of your nails than others. Lunulae (plural) may be most visible on larger nails and harder to spot on smaller ones.
What do iron deficiency nails look like?
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When you're low on iron, your nails might be pale, brittle, or thin, and your nails can take on a pale appearance. One distinctive sign is having spoon-shaped nails, where the center of your nail dips inward like a spoon. If you notice these changes, especially along with feeling tired or weak, it's worth scheduling an appointment with a healthcare professional.
The bottom line
The lunula is the half-moon-shaped white area at the base of your fingernails. Not seeing these half-moons can be normal. They might be hiding under your cuticle. Hard-to-see lunulae can sometimes point to health conditions, like anemia, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Why trust our experts?
Written by:
Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.
Edited by:
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH
Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.
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References
Abdullah, L., et al. (2011). Common nail changes and disorders in older people. Canadian Family Physician.
Daadaa, N., et al. (2020). Absent lunula: An overlooked finding in chronic kidney disease. Clinical Case Reports.
View All References (5)
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Fawcett, R. S., et al. (2004). Nail abnormalities: Clues to systemic disease. American Family Physician.
Jiménez, S. M. (2024). Cutaneous manifestations of liver disease: A narrative review. Cureus.
Matsuura, H., et al. (2017). Lindsay's nail. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine.
Singal, A., et al. (2015). Nail as a window of systemic diseases. Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
University of Utah Health. (2024). The danger of cutting your cuticles.
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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