Noah Sinclair
A black line on your nail, known as melanonychia, is a streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones, but it can also be caused by injuries, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer, so it's a good idea to see a healthcare provider if you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Melanonychia |
| Description | A streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed |
| Causes | Natural colour variation, injury, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, endocrine disorders, melanoma |
| Treatment | See a healthcare provider |
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What You'll Learn
Melanonychia
Another cause of black lines on the nails is a splinter haemorrhage, which occurs when blood vessels under the fingernail are damaged, often due to injuries, such as hitting something.
Although a black line on your nails isn't usually a cause for concern, it's a good idea to see a healthcare provider whenever you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture.
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Natural colour variation
A black line on your nail is known as melanonychia. This is a natural colour variation, particularly in people with darker skin tones, caused by an excess of pigment in the nail bed. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several.
Melanonychia can also be caused by injuries, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. It can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer).
If you notice a black line on your nail, it's a good idea to see a healthcare provider, especially if it is painful, bleeding, or occurs without explanation.
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Injuries
A black line on the nail is called a splinter haemorrhage. This occurs when blood vessels under the fingernail are damaged, often due to injuries, such as hitting your finger.
The appearance of a black line on the nail due to injury is typically not a cause for concern and will often resolve on its own. However, if the injury is severe or accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain or bleeding, it is important to seek medical attention.
It is worth noting that splinter haemorrhages can also be caused by conditions affecting the blood vessels, such as vasculitis or blood clotting disorders. In rare cases, they may also indicate the presence of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional if you notice any changes to your nails, especially if they are persistent or occur without an obvious explanation.
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Skin conditions
A black line on the nail is medically known as melanonychia. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones. However, it can also be caused by skin conditions, injuries, certain medications, infections, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer). Therefore, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider whenever you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture.
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Melanoma
A black line on your nail is medically known as melanonychia. This condition causes a streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.
It is important to see a healthcare provider if you notice any changes to your nails, especially if they are painful, bleeding, or occur without explanation. While melanonychia is often benign, it is always better to be cautious and get it checked by a professional.
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Frequently asked questions
A black line in the nail is called melanonychia.
Melanonychia can be a natural colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones. It can also be caused by injury, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, endocrine disorders, or melanoma (skin cancer).
Although melanonychia is usually not a cause for concern, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider whenever you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture.
Yes, a narrow, vertical black line is called a splinter haemorrhage, while a horizontal stripe is called a Beau's line.
