Sophia Delgado
Brown nails can be caused by a number of factors, from vitamin deficiencies to cancer. A brown line on the nail is called longitudinal melanonychia or longitudinal striata. This condition can be caused by harmless pigment deposits or growths, but it can also be a sign of infection, body-wide diseases, or melanoma (skin cancer). Melanonychia is related to how much melanin is being made in the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Longitudinal melanonychia or longitudinal striata |
| Cause | Melanin production in the body |
| Cause | Vitamin deficiencies |
| Cause | Malnutrition |
| Cause | Genetic disorders |
| Cause | Excessive fluoride |
| Cause | Infections |
| Cause | Body-wide diseases |
| Cause | Melanoma (skin cancer) |
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What You'll Learn
Melanonychia (a medical word for black or brownish pigmentation of the nail plate)
Melanonychia is the medical term for black or brownish pigmentation of the nail plate, or the hard part of toenails or fingernails. The most common type of melanonychia is longitudinal melanonychia, which presents as a brown line on the nail. This can be caused by harmless pigment deposits or growths, but it can also be caused by infections, body-wide diseases, or melanoma (skin cancer). Melanonychia can also be caused by excessive fluoride, which can cause brown-black discolouration of the nails. Brown discolouration on only the upper half of the nail can be a sign of kidney disease.
The presence of melanonychia can also be related to how much melanin is being made in your body. Melanin is the pigment that colours your nails, hair, and skin. Malnutrition can cause changes to your skin and nails, and a brown line on your nails can be related to not having enough of certain nutrients in your diet, including vitamin B12 and folate. Melanonychia can also be a symptom of several rare genetic disorders in which skin hyperpigmentation (excess pigmentation) is a common symptom.
Transverse melanonychia is similar to longitudinal melanonychia, except that the lines go side to side (transverse) across the nail instead of up and down (longitudinal).
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Malnutrition
Brown nails can be caused by a number of factors, including malnutrition. Malnutrition can cause changes to your skin and nails. A brown line on your nails can be related to not having enough of certain nutrients in your diet, including vitamin B12 and folate.
A brown line on the nail is called longitudinal melanonychia or longitudinal striata. It is the most common type of melanonychia, a medical word for a black or brownish pigmentation of the nail plate (the hard part of toenails or fingernails). Longitudinal melanonychia can have many causes, from harmless pigment deposits or growths to infections, body-wide diseases, or melanoma (skin cancer).
Transverse melanonychia is similar to longitudinal melanonychia, except the lines go side to side (transverse) across the nail instead of up and down (longitudinal).
Excessive fluoride can also cause brown-black discolouration of the nails, while brown on only the upper half of the nail can signal kidney disease.
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Genetic disorders
Brown nails can be caused by several factors, including vitamin deficiencies, excessive fluoride, and rare genetic disorders.
A brown line on the nail is called longitudinal melanonychia or longitudinal striata. It is the most common type of melanonychia, a medical term for black or brownish pigmentation of the nail plate. Longitudinal melanonychia can be caused by harmless pigment deposits or growths, infections, body-wide diseases, or, in rare cases, melanoma (skin cancer).
While brown nails can be a sign of a harmless condition, it is important to be aware of potential underlying health issues. For example, brown nails can be a symptom of vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, which can be addressed through dietary changes. However, excessive fluoride exposure or kidney disease can also cause brown nails, indicating a more serious health concern that requires medical attention.
Therefore, if you notice brown lines or stripes on your nails, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment or advice.
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Excessive fluoride
Brown nails can be caused by excessive fluoride. Fluoride is a double-edged sword: too little and you get dental caries, too much and you get dental and skeletal fluorosis. Fluorosis is caused by fluoride overexposure, which means you ingest excess amounts of fluoride over a long period of time. This can lead to white, light brown or dark brown spots affecting all surfaces, including the nails.
Fluoride overexposure is a public health problem in some parts of India, where the drinking water has a high fluoride content. This has led to an increase in the search for biomarkers of fluoride exposure. Nails are a good biomarker because they are non-invasively collected, easily transported, stored, and analysed.
Fluoride is a common ingredient in toothpaste, and it is also added to the water supply in some countries. It is important to be aware of the potential risks of excessive fluoride consumption, as it can lead to serious health problems such as fluorosis. If you are concerned about your fluoride intake, you should speak to a healthcare professional.
It is worth noting that brown nails can also be caused by other factors, such as vitamin deficiencies, infections, or even cancer. If you notice any changes in the colour of your nails, it is always best to consult a doctor to rule out any serious underlying causes.
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Kidney disease
Brown nails can be caused by a number of factors, including vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, or even cancer. In particular, brown nails can be a sign of kidney disease.
There are several types of kidney disease, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and end-stage renal disease. Acute kidney injury is a sudden loss of kidney function, often caused by dehydration, infection, or exposure to toxins. Chronic kidney disease, on the other hand, is a gradual loss of kidney function that typically occurs over many years. It is often caused by conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or glomerulonephritis, an inflammation of the kidney's filtering units. End-stage renal disease is the most severe form of kidney disease, where the kidneys have lost most or all of their function.
The symptoms of kidney disease can vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. However, some common symptoms include changes in urination, such as increased frequency or decreased volume, as well as swelling in the legs, ankles, or face due to fluid retention. Other possible symptoms include fatigue, nausea, and a loss of appetite. In some cases, kidney disease may also cause discolouration of the nails, with brown nails being one possible sign.
If you notice any changes in your nail colour, it is important to consult a medical professional. They can perform the necessary tests to determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment. While brown nails can be a sign of kidney disease, they can also be caused by other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies or even skin cancer. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to improving outcomes and preventing further complications.
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Frequently asked questions
A brown line on the nail is called longitudinal melanonychia or longitudinal striata. It can be caused by anything from harmless pigment deposits or growths to infections, body-wide diseases, or melanoma (skin cancer).
A brown line on the nail is related to how much melanin is being made in your body.
A brown line on the nail can be caused by malnutrition and a lack of certain nutrients in your diet, including vitamin B12 and folate.
