Red lunulae is characterized by a duskyerythema confined to thelunulae, as has been reported in association withalopecia areata.[1]: 791 It is most commonly seen on the thumbnail.
Red lunulae describeserythema that either totally or partially takes the place of that structure's typical white tone.[2] It is typically visible on thethumbnail, where thelunula is most noticeable.[3]
Increased arteriolar blood flow, the vasodilatory capacitance phenomenon, and modifications to the optical characteristics of the nail plate overlaying theblood vessel, which accentuates the normal blood vessels, have all been proposed as possible causes of the red lunula.[4][5]
^James, William; Berger, Timothy; Elston, Dirk (2005).Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. (10th ed.). Saunders.ISBN0-7216-2921-0.
^Morrissey, Kelly A.; Rubin, Adam I. (2013). "Histopathology of the red lunula: new histologic features and clinical correlations of a rare type of erythronychia".Journal of Cutaneous Pathology.40 (11):972–975.doi:10.1111/cup.12218.ISSN0303-6987.PMID24102674.
^abWilkerson, Michael G.; Wilkin, Jonathan K. (1989). "Red lunulae revisited: A clinical and histopathologic examination".Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.20 (3). Elsevier BV:453–457.doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(89)70057-8.ISSN0190-9622.PMID2645322.
Roest, Y; Middendorp, H; Evers, A; Kerkhof, P; Pasch, M (2018). "Nail Involvement in Alopecia Areata: A Questionnaire-based Survey on Clinical Signs, Impact on Quality of Life and Review of the Literature".Acta Dermato Venereologica.98 (2). Medical Journals Sweden AB:212–217.doi:10.2340/00015555-2810.hdl:2066/190317.ISSN0001-5555.
Jorizzo, Joseph L.; GonzalezD, Emilio B.; Daniels, Jerry C. (1983). "Red lunulae in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis".Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.8 (5). Elsevier BV:711–714.doi:10.1016/s0190-9622(83)70085-x.ISSN0190-9622.PMID6863632.
