Noah Sinclair
Dark stripes on the nails are usually caused by a symptom known as linear melanonychia. These stripes are more common in people with darker skin tones, and can occur naturally. However, they can also be a sign of other health issues, such as an injury, infection, or cancer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Melanonychia, also known as linear melanonychia or longitudinal melanonychia |
| Appearance | Brown or black stripes that begin at the bottom of the nail bed and continue to the top |
| Occurrence | May appear in one nail or several |
| Cause | An increase in the production and deposits of melanin in the nail |
| Risk factors | Dark complexion, taking certain medications (e.g. chemotherapy drugs, beta-blockers, anti-malarial drugs, azidothymidine) |
| Treatment | If malignant or cancerous, the tumour or cancerous area must be removed |
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What You'll Learn
Melanonychia
Having a dark line on your fingernail or toenail is called melanonychia. The lines are brown or black and usually look like a stripe that begins at the bottom of the nail bed and continues to the top. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several. These lines can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
The stripe can occur on either the fingernails or toenails. Splinter haemorrhages 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 haemorrhages across several different nails, it could indicate an underlying condition.
Most commonly, dark stripes down a person's nails are due to a symptom known as linear melanonychia. According to DermNet, these stripes more commonly occur in people with darker skin tones. They state that nearly all Afro-Caribbean people develop these dark pigmentations on their nails by the age of 50. Linear melanonychia is considered a natural fingernail colour variation. The condition occurs when pigments in the nail, known as melanocytes, make excess pigment. This causes the nail beds to darken.
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Linear melanonychia
A dark streak down your fingernail is called linear melanonychia. It is a symptom characterised by dark stripes running down the nails, which can range in colour from black to deep brown and grey. Linear melanonychia is considered a natural variation in fingernail colour, which occurs when pigments in the nail, known as melanocytes, produce excess pigment, causing the nail beds to darken. This condition is more common in people with darker skin tones, with nearly all Afro-Caribbean people developing these dark pigmentations on their nails by the age of 50. Linear melanonychia can occur in one nail or several, and may appear naturally if you have a dark complexion. However, it is important to have a doctor check for linear melanonychia, as the lines may be a sign of other health issues.
Dark lines under the fingernails can also be caused by splinter haemorrhages, which are small black or deep-red lines caused by injuries to the small blood vessels under the nail beds. These usually heal on their own within a few days, but if a person has multiple splinter haemorrhages across several different nails, it could indicate an underlying condition. Other less common causes of nail melanonychia include taking certain medications, such as chemotherapy drugs, beta-blockers, anti-malarial drugs, or the medication azidothymidine.
If your melanonychia is malignant or cancerous, the tumour or cancerous area must be removed, which may result in the loss of all or part of your nail. A nail biopsy can also cause structural irregularities due to the removal of a portion of the nail. Dark lines on your nails can also be caused by nail injuries, infections, or cancer, among other causes. A doctor can perform exams to determine whether melanonychia is malignant.
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Melanocytic activation
Melanonychia, or linear melanonychia, is the name for a dark streak that runs down the fingernail. This condition is caused by an increase in melanin deposits in the nail, known as melanocytic activation. Melanocytic activation is an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in the nail, but not an increase in pigment cells. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its colour.
While melanocytic activation is a natural variation in fingernail colour, it can also be a sign of other health issues. Therefore, it is important to have a doctor check for melanonychia to rule out any underlying conditions. In some cases, melanonychia may be malignant or cancerous, and the tumour or cancerous area must be removed, which can result in the loss of all or part of the nail.
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Splinter haemorrhages
A dark streak down your fingernail could be caused by splinter haemorrhages, which are small black or deep-red lines caused by injuries to the small blood vessels under the nail bed. They usually heal on their own within a few days. If you have multiple splinter haemorrhages across several different nails, it could indicate an underlying condition.
If you have splinter haemorrhages, you may notice that your nail bed appears darker or redder than usual. This is due to the presence of blood under the nail, which can be seen through the translucent nail plate. In most cases, splinter haemorrhages will heal on their own within a few days. However, if you have multiple splinter haemorrhages across several different nails, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, such as a blood disorder or a vascular disease.
It is important to see a doctor if you have splinter haemorrhages that do not heal within a few days, or if you have multiple splinter haemorrhages across several different nails. A doctor will be able to examine your nails and ask about your medical history, including any medications you are taking, to determine the underlying cause.
In some cases, splinter haemorrhages may be a sign of a more serious condition, such as endocarditis or vasculitis. Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves, while vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. If you have splinter haemorrhages and are experiencing other symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, or joint pain, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
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Subungual melanoma
A dark streak down your fingernail is called melanonychia, or linear melanonychia. It is a natural variation in people with darker skin tones, caused by an increase in melanin deposits in the nail. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several. However, it can also be a sign of other health issues, such as injury, infection, or cancer. If you notice a dark streak on your nail, you should consult a doctor.
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Frequently asked questions
This could be a symptom of linear melanonychia, which is a natural variation in fingernail colour. It can also be caused by a nail injury, infection, or cancer.
Linear melanonychia appears as a brown, black, or grey stripe that begins at the bottom of the nail bed and continues to the top. It can occur on one or several nails.
You should have a doctor check for melanonychia as the lines may be a sign of other health issues.
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