Liam Carter
Brown nail beds can be indicative of a number of health conditions. The appearance of a vertical brown or black streak extending from the cuticle to the tip of the nail can be a sign of kidney disease or melanoma (skin cancer). This condition is known as melanonychia, which is an increase in pigment cells in the nail bed. Melanonychia can also appear as a reddish-brown strip near the tip of the nail, known as Terry's nails, which is often a symptom of a chronic condition such as liver failure or diabetes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Melanonychia |
| Description | Black or brown lines in your nail |
| Appearance | A stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top |
| Occurrence | Can appear in one nail or several |
| Causes | Injuries, infections, conditions, or an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed |
| Health Concerns | Kidney disease, melanoma, chronic conditions (e.g. liver failure, diabetes), or aging |
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What You'll Learn
- Melanonychia: a black or brown line in your nail, which can be indicative of kidney disease or skin cancer
- Melanocytic hyperplasia: an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed, which can be benign or malignant
- Terry's nails: a type of nail discolouration, which can be a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes
- Possible causes: injuries, infections, and some conditions may cause a disappearing nail bed
- Other signs: changes in nail colour can be a small symptom of underlying health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure
Melanonychia: a black or brown line in your nail, which can be indicative of kidney disease or skin cancer
A brown or black line in your nail is called melanonychia. This can appear in one nail or several, and usually looks like a stripe that begins at the bottom of the nail bed and continues to the top. Melanonychia can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion, but it can also be indicative of an underlying health condition. For example, a vertical brown or black streak extending from the cuticle to the tip of the nail could be a sign of kidney disease or melanoma (skin cancer). It might also be a symptom of melanocytic hyperplasia, which is an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed and can be benign or malignant. Terry's nails is another type of nail discolouration, where the nailbeds look 'washed out' except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. This is often a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes, but it can also be a sign of ageing.
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Melanocytic hyperplasia: an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed, which can be benign or malignant
Melanocytic hyperplasia is an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed, which can be benign or malignant. This condition is called melanonychia and it appears as a brown or black stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top. It can appear in one nail or several and may occur naturally if you have a dark complexion. Melanonychia can also be caused by injuries, infections, and some conditions. It is important to note that changes in nail colour can be indicative of underlying health conditions and should not be ignored. For example, a vertical brown or black streak extending from the cuticle to the tip of the nail can be a sign of kidney disease or melanoma (skin cancer). In some cases, nail discolouration may be a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes, or it may be a sign of the normal ageing process. If you notice any changes in your nail colour, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and treatment.
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Terry's nails: a type of nail discolouration, which can be a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes
Terry's nails is a type of nail discolouration, where the nail beds look 'washed out', except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. It is often a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes, but it can also be a sign of ageing. If you have Terry's nails, it is important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
Terry's nails is a type of melanonychia, which is a black or brown discolouration of the nail. Melanonychia can be longitudinal, where it runs along the length of the nail, or it can be diffuse or transverse, where it runs along the width of the nail. It may appear in one nail or several, and can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion. Melanonychia is caused by melanocytic hyperplasia, which is an increase in pigment cells in the nail bed. This growth can be benign or malignant.
It is important to note that changes in nail colour can be indicative of underlying health conditions. For example, dark red nails can signify heart disease, a possible brain haemorrhage, high blood pressure, lung disease, stroke, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Vertical brown or black streaks extending from the cuticle to the tip of the nail can indicate kidney disease or melanoma (skin cancer). Therefore, if you notice any changes in your nail colour, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
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Possible causes: injuries, infections, and some conditions may cause a disappearing nail bed
Brown nail beds can be indicative of a number of health conditions. Vertical brown or black streaks extending from the cuticle to the tip of the nail can be a sign of kidney disease or melanoma (skin cancer). This condition is called melanonychia, which is an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed. It can be benign or malignant.
Terry's nails is another type of nail discolouration, where the nail beds look "washed out", except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. This is often a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes, although it can also be a sign of ageing.
Injuries, infections, and some conditions may cause a disappearing nail bed.
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Other signs: changes in nail colour can be a small symptom of underlying health conditions, such as heart disease or high blood pressure
Changes in nail colour can be a small symptom of underlying health conditions. For example, brown or black lines on your nail bed are called melanonychia, which can be indicative of kidney disease or even melanoma (skin cancer). Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several, and can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
Another example is Terry's nails, which is a type of nail discolouration where the nailbeds look "washed out", except for a thin reddish-brown strip near the tip. Terry's nails are often a symptom of a chronic condition, such as liver failure or diabetes, but they can also be a sign of ageing.
Dark red nails might signify heart disease, a possible brain haemorrhage, high blood pressure, lung disease, stroke or even carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you notice any changes in your nail colour, it is important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
Brown nail beds can be a sign of melanonychia, which is a black or brown discolouration of the nail. It can be benign or malignant.
Melanonychia can be longitudinal, where it runs along the length of the nail, or it can be diffuse or transverse, where it runs along the width of the nail. It can appear in one nail or several.
Melanonychia is caused by an increase in pigment cells in your nail bed. It can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
Yes, brown nail beds can also be a symptom of Terry's nails, which is often a symptom of a chronic condition such as liver failure or diabetes.
