Liam Carter
A black line on your nail is known as melanonychia, which 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 (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 |
| Appearance | A streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed |
| Causes | Natural colour variation, injury, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, endocrine disorders, melanoma |
| Risk factors | X-rays on hands and feet, phototherapy, light therapy |
| Related conditions | Addison's disease, hyperthyroidism, HIV |
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What You'll Learn
Melanonychia
A black line on your nail is medically known as melanonychia. This 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 also be caused by injuries, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer).
Specific tests and therapies can also cause melanonychia. Getting an X-ray on your hands and feet or undergoing phototherapy or light therapy can increase your risk of developing black lines on your nails. Nail melanoma (also known as subungual melanoma) is a type of skin cancer that affects melanocytes.
A narrow, vertical black line on your nail is called a splinter haemorrhage. Lines that create a horizontal stripe are called Beau's lines.
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Beau's lines
A black line on the nail is called melanonychia. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones, but can also be caused by injury, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer).
Horizontal black lines on the nail are called Beau's lines. Beau's lines are indentations that run horizontally across the nail. They are often signs of poor health or underlying medical conditions. Beau's lines can be caused by a variety of factors, including nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of protein or zinc, as well as underlying health conditions like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or kidney disease. They can also be a result of chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Beau's lines typically appear as one or more horizontal indentations across the nail, and they may be accompanied by changes in the nail's colour, texture, or thickness. While Beau's lines themselves are not harmful, they can indicate an underlying health issue that requires medical attention. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you notice Beau's lines on your nails, especially if they are accompanied by other symptoms or if you have concerns about your health.
It is important to note that Beau's lines are not always a cause for concern. Temporary Beau's lines can occur due to temporary interruptions in nail growth, such as injury to the nail matrix or exposure to extreme cold. These lines will usually grow out and disappear as the nail resumes its normal growth pattern. However, if Beau's lines persist or are accompanied by other symptoms, it is essential to seek medical advice to rule out any underlying health issues.
While Beau's lines themselves do not require treatment, addressing any underlying health conditions or nutritional deficiencies is crucial. If you notice Beau's lines on your nails, consult a healthcare professional for a thorough evaluation. They may recommend specific tests or refer you to a dermatologist for further assessment and management. Remember, early detection and treatment of any underlying conditions can help improve nail health and overall well-being.
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Injuries
A black line on your nail can be caused by an injury. This is known as melanonychia, which is a streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed. It can also be caused by certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer). If you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture, it is a good idea to see a healthcare provider.
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Medication
A black line on your nail is called melanonychia. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones. However, it can also be caused by certain medications, injuries, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer).
Certain medications can cause melanonychia, which is a black line that runs horizontally across the width of the nail. The discolouration usually appears 3-8 weeks after starting treatment and typically fades within eight weeks of stopping or switching medications. Specific tests and therapies can also cause melanonychia, including X-rays on the hands and feet, and phototherapy or light therapy.
It is important to note that melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of nail melanoma (also known as subungual melanoma), which is a type of skin cancer that affects melanocytes. Therefore, it is recommended to see a healthcare provider whenever you notice changes to your nails' colour, shape, or texture, especially if they are painful, bleeding, and occur without explanation.
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Skin cancer
A black line on your nail is medically known as melanonychia. It 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 (skin cancer). 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.
Melanonychia may appear in one nail or several. These lines can occur naturally if you have a dark complexion. They are usually brown or black and look like a stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top.
A narrow, vertical black line on your nail is called a splinter haemorrhage. Lines that create a horizontal stripe are called Beau's lines.
Some medications and medical treatments can cause black lines on the nails. These lines are horizontal, meaning they run across the nail's width. Treatments associated with a black line on a nail include getting an X-ray on your hands and feet or undergoing phototherapy or light therapy.
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Frequently asked questions
A black line on your nail is medically known as melanonychia. It can be a normal colour variation, especially in people with darker skin tones.
Melanonychia causes a streak of dark pigmentation that runs along the nail bed. The lines are brown or black and usually look like a stripe that begins at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top.
Melanonychia can be caused by injuries, certain medications, infections, skin conditions, and endocrine disorders like Addison's disease or hyperthyroidism. It can also be caused by an X-ray on your hands and feet or undergoing phototherapy or light therapy.
Melanonychia can sometimes be a sign of melanoma (skin cancer). 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, especially if they are painful or bleeding.
