Caleb Foster
If your nail bed turns brown, it could be a sign of a number of different conditions. It could be a sign of a disappearing nail bed, which can be caused by injury, infection or other conditions. It could also be a sign of melanonychia, which is a dark line on your fingernails or toenails. This can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion, but it could also be a sign of other health issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Melanonychia |
| Description | A thick black or brown line that runs from the bottom to the tip of the nail |
| Causes | May occur naturally if you have a dark complexion; injuries, infections, and some conditions may cause a disappearing nail bed; medications like tetracycline and naproxen, which create light sensitivity; psoriasis, thyroid disease, or other illness |
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What You'll Learn
- Melanonychia: a condition that causes brown or black lines on your nails
- Melanoma: a thick black or brown line that runs from the bottom to the tip of the nail
- Medication: some medications can cause your nails to become photosensitive and lift away from the nail bed
- Psoriasis: a condition that can cause nail discolouration
- Thyroid disease: another condition that can cause nail discolouration
Melanonychia: a condition that causes brown or black lines on your nails
A brown or black line on your nail is called melanonychia. This condition appears as a stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top. Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several, and can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion.
There are three types of melanonychia:
- Longitudinal melanonychia or melanonychia striata: This type of linear melanonychia appears as brown, black, or grey bands that run from your nail bed to the tip of your nail.
- Diffuse or total melanonychia: This involves your entire nail turning dark.
- Transverse melanonychia: This type of melanonychia appears as a band that runs across your nail from one side to the other.
Melanonychia is caused by an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in your nail, but not an increase in pigment cells. Melanin is a brown-coloured pigment produced by melanocytes, which are pigment cells found in the nails of your fingers and toes. Normally, the melanocytes are dormant, and since there is no melanin in your nails, they appear translucent.
While melanonychia can occur naturally, it is important to have a doctor check for it as the lines may be a sign of other health issues. For example, a thick black or brown line that runs from the bottom to the tip of your nail might be melanoma. Additionally, medications like tetracycline and naproxen, which create light sensitivity, can cause your nails to become photosensitive and lift away from the nail bed. Other possible causes of nail discolouration include psoriasis, thyroid disease, or other illnesses, especially if all of the nails are affected.
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Melanoma: a thick black or brown line that runs from the bottom to the tip of the nail
A thick black or brown line that runs from the bottom of your nail bed to the tip could be a sign of melanoma. This is a type of skin cancer that can appear as a dark-coloured blob. It is important to note that this symptom could be caused by other factors, such as medications or infections, and is not always indicative of melanoma.
Melanonychia is a condition characterised by black or brown lines on the fingernails or toenails. It is also known as melanonychia striata or longitudinal melanonychia. These lines can occur naturally in people with a dark complexion, but they may also be a sign of other health issues. Melanonychia can manifest in different ways, including:
- Longitudinal melanonychia: This type of linear melanonychia appears as brown, black, or grey bands that run from the nail bed to the tip of the nail.
- Diffuse or total melanonychia: This involves the entire nail turning dark.
- Transverse melanonychia: This type of melanonychia appears as a band that runs across the nail from one side to the other.
It is important to consult a doctor if you notice any changes in your nail colour, as it could indicate an underlying health issue.
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Medication: some medications can cause your nails to become photosensitive and lift away from the nail bed
A brown nail bed could be a sign of melanonychia, which is a dark line that runs from the bottom of your nail bed to the tip. It can appear in one nail or several and can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion. However, it is important to have a doctor check for melanonychia as it may be a sign of other health issues.
Medication can cause your nails to become photosensitive and lift away from the nail bed. This is known as onycholysis and can be caused by medicines from the psoralen, tetracycline, or fluoroquinolone groups. These medications can cause your nails to react to sun exposure, leading to nail lifting. Other medications that can cause onycholysis include chemotherapy drugs, oral contraceptives, and drugs made from vitamin A, such as retinoids.
In addition to medication, onycholysis can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as fungal infections, psoriasis, thyroid disease, and iron deficiency. It is more common in women and during pregnancy. Treatment for onycholysis depends on the underlying cause, and in some cases, addressing the medical condition can allow the nails to regrow normally.
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Psoriasis: a condition that can cause nail discolouration
A brown nail bed could be a sign of melanonychia, which is a dark line that runs from the bottom of your nail bed to the tip. It can appear in one or several nails and may be a sign of other health issues.
Another possible cause of nail discolouration is psoriasis, an autoimmune condition that can cause discolouration, pitting, and changes in the structure of your nails. People of colour with nail psoriasis may develop what looks like small pinpricks on the nail, and the nails may also become thicker and crumble. It can also cause the nails to turn yellow.
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Thyroid disease: another condition that can cause nail discolouration
A brown nail bed could be a sign of melanonychia, which is a dark line that runs from the bottom of your nail bed to the top. It can appear in one nail or several and may be a sign of other health issues. It is therefore important to get it checked by a doctor.
Thyroid disease is another condition that can cause nail discolouration. It is not yet known how thyroid disease causes nail discolouration, but it is believed to be related to melanin deposits on the ungual plate. In one case, a 48-year-old woman with thyroid storm and acute kidney injury presented with a reddish-brown distal nail plate discolouration and proximal white banding.
Thyroid disease can also cause uniform whitish discolouration of all fingernails, with the disappearance of the lunula. Lumps on discoloured skin that feel hard and waxy can also be a sign of thyroid disease.
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Frequently asked questions
It could be a sign of melanonychia, which is a dark line on your fingernails or toenails. It could also be a sign of melanoma, an infection, or another illness. You should always get changes in your nails checked by a doctor.
Melanonychia is the name for the brown or black lines that can appear on your nails. It can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion, but it can also be a sign of other health issues.
It usually looks like a stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top. It can appear in one nail or several.
Melanonychia is caused by an increase in the production and deposits of melanin in your nail, but not an increase in pigment cells.
You should make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out. They will be able to tell you if it is something to be concerned about or not.
