Aldridge-Mee's lines are characteristic of poisoning by which toxin?

Aldridge-Mee's lines are characteristic of poisoning by which toxin?

• A. Arsenic
• B. Lead
• C. Mercury
• D. Cyanide

Answer: (A)

Transverse white lines across the nails, known as Aldridge-Mee's (Mees') lines, point to arsenic poisoning. These lines form when arsenic disrupts the nail matrix as nails grow, so a line appears at a location corresponding to the time of exposure and then moves outward with growth. This nail sign is classically associated with arsenic exposure, making it the best cue among the options. Lead poisoning tends to produce Burtonian lines on the gums rather than nail lines, while cyanide and mercury have different characteristic signs and do not present this way.

Transverse white lines across the nails, known as Aldridge-Mee's (Mees') lines, point to arsenic poisoning. These lines form when arsenic disrupts the nail matrix as nails grow, so a line appears at a location corresponding to the time of exposure and then moves outward with growth. This nail sign is classically associated with arsenic exposure, making it the best cue among the options. Lead poisoning tends to produce Burtonian lines on the gums rather than nail lines, while cyanide and mercury have different characteristic signs and do not present this way.