The lines have been linked to low levels of a protein called, which is found in the blood.
Low albumin level is most commonly linked to liver disease, but different systemic diseases can cause low albumin levels. Muehrcke's lines have been seen in people with:
One possible theory for the appearance of Muehrcke's lines is that these diseases lead to swelling in the nail bed.
- Cancer after chemotherapy
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease,
- An unbalanced diet that leads to malnutrition