What do dark streaks in fingernails mean




















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You can save this page with current page title or you can create new page title. We will connect and guide you to the top doctors and institutions based on your medical condition. These black lines on nails have a few characteristic features that include; They are blackish or reddish-brown. They do not change in appearance when pressure is applied to the nail.

They appear on one or more areas under the nail. Related Articles Latest Popular. Ask a Doctor. Doctors By City. Email Password. Login Forgot Password Register. Name Email Password. Forgot Password. Don't worry, we can help you to reset your password. Resend Confirmation. Sign in. Forgot Password Register. Name Phone Email Password. Sign Up. Get Listed for Free Fitness Center. Get Listed for Free Hospital. Fitness Center.

Please login to make this action. Login Close. Edit This. Help us improve this profile Report as Inaccurate Edit This. Submit Close. These processes have different causes. People of African descent are the most likely to experience melanonychia. The treatment for melanonychia varies depending on the cause. If your melanonychia is from a benign cause and is noncancerous, then many times, there is no treatment needed.

If your melanonychia is caused by medication, your doctor may change your medication or have you stop taking it for a time, if that is possible. For medications that you cannot stop taking, melanonychia will just be a side effect for you to get used to. Other treatment options depend on the cause and may include:.

If your melanonychia is malignant or cancerous, then the tumor or cancerous area must be completely removed. In some cases, the finger or toe that has the tumor may have to be amputated. A diagnosis of melanonychia is reached after a series of diagnostic exams and tests. Your doctor will begin with a physical exam of all your fingernails and toenails. This physical exam includes looking at whether your nail is deformed in any way, how many nails have melanonychia, as well as the color, shape, and size of your melanonychia.

Your doctor will also look at your medical history to see if you have any medical conditions that may be causing the melanonychia. The next step in diagnosis is a dermatoscopic examination using a specific type of microscope to get a close look at the discolored areas. Your doctor will look primarily for signs that your melanonychia may be malignant.

The signs of possible nail melanoma are:. Besides looking for signs of a possible melanoma, your doctor will combine findings from both the dermoscopy and the physical exam to determine the type and cause of your melanonychia. After these two steps, your doctor may also perform a biopsy of your nail. A biopsy removes a small portion of your nail and nail tissue for examination. This step will be done in most cases of melanonychia unless there are no possible signs of cancer. Possible complications of melanonychia include nail cancer, bleeding under the nail, splitting of your nail, and deformity of your nail.

The nail biopsy can also cause nail deformity because it removes a portion of the nail. When a person has subungual melanoma, they will usually notice a stripe on one fingernail only. Typically, a black stripe from subungual melanoma will darken or widen with time.

Sometimes, the nail will be painful or bleed. The pigmentation may also extend to the area where the fingernail meets the cuticle. The stripe can occur on either the fingernails or toenails. According to the journal Podiatry Management , an estimated 40 to 55 percent of cases of subungual melanoma occur on the foot. Splinter hemorrhages appear as small black or deep-red lines and are caused by injuries to the small blood vessels under the nail beds. They usually heal on their own within a few days.

If a person has multiple splinter hemorrhages across several different nails, it could indicate an underlying condition. A doctor will also ask about medications. If a person has a history of taking blood thinners, such as warfarin or aspirin , this could explain splinter hemorrhages. Sometimes a doctor will take a biopsy or sample of the nail area. They will send this biopsy to a pathologist, who can identify if any cancerous cells might be present. Most causes of black lines on the nail do not require treatment.

Melanoma is an exception. A doctor will usually first remove the area of melanoma as well as the skin under the fingernail. If the melanoma had spread to the bone, a doctor might recommend amputating the finger to stop the melanoma spreading. It is especially important to see a doctor if a person has a nail that is bleeding and painful or has changes without a known cause.

A person should see their doctor if they notice changes to the quality of the nail itself, such as thinning, cracking, or differences in the shape.

Most black lines on the fingernails and toenails are harmless.



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