Why do I have black streaks in my toenails?

Why do I have black streaks in my toenails?

Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin into the nail. Melanin is a brown colored pigment. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.

What does a black line on a woman’s nail mean?

They do advise, however, that dark stripes on nails shouldn’t be ignored because they could in fact be a sign of subungal melanoma, a form of skin cancer that affects the nail bed. If you find a dark line, you should see your doctor to check it isn’t melanoma.

What does a vertical line on toenail mean?

The vertical lines running from the cuticle to the top of the nail are nothing to be worried about. In most cases, such longitudinal ridging is simply a side effect of the normal aging process of nails. In addition, nails often lose their luster as they age and may appear opalescent and dull.

Are black lines on nails normal?

Black Line on the Nail: Should You Worry? A narrow black line that has formed vertically underneath your nail is called a splinter hemorrhage. It occurs for a variety of reasons and may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition.

Why is there a black line on my right big toenail?

why is there a vertical black line on my right big toenail? Trauma: A dark line that runs vertically down the nail can indicate that you might have traumatized the nail matrix (the area where the nail starts growing). Other possibilities are fungus, melanoma and genetics. See your doc for a full evaluation.

What do you call a vertical black line on your nail?

A narrow, vertical black line on your nail is called a splinter hemorrhage. Lines that create a horizontal stripe are called Beau’s lines.

Why do I have lines on my Nails?

It appears on one or more places under your nail. Thicker lines that create a horizontal stripe on the nail are called Beau’s lines. These are usually not harmful, but they may be a symptom of a cancer called subungual melanoma.

When to see a doctor about a black line on your nail?

Contact your doctor if you’re sure a black line on your nail wasn’t caused by trauma. If the trauma has caused another condition or doesn’t seem to be healing on its own after several weeks, you should see your doctor. If you don’t already have a doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.

Why do I have black streaks in my toenails? Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin into the nail. Melanin is a brown colored pigment. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail. What does a…