Skin and nail disorders in relation to chronic renal failure

Abstract

Several nonspecific skin diseases were found in patients with chronic renal failure. The nail changes appeared to be more specific. The distal band is connected with renal diseases. It contains no melanin and could be due to capillary changes. It is probably reversible. The disappearance of the brown distal arc with growth of the nail has not previously been described. In some of the patients a paling of the colour was observed and decrease in width of the brown nail arc, although never a total disappearance of the distal nail arc.