The discoloration can occur in one or more digits. It can present as a single dark band or streak or involve the entire nail. There are many possible causes, so an accurate diagnosis is vital.
What are the possible complications of melanonychia? Complications depend on the cause of melanonychia. Subungual melanoma can result in metastasis and ultimately, the death of the patient. The prognosis for nail matrix melanoma is as a rule worse than melanoma in other sites.; Trauma, infection, and inflammatory disease can result in fissuring and splitting of the nails and unsightly or ...
It is characterized by brown-black discoloration of the nail plate and the pigment referred to is conventionally melanin. It may involve single or multiple nails, both in finger and toenails. Epidemiology. Melanonychia is a common cause of nail discoloration accounting for nearly half of the cases of chromonychia.
Lines that create a horizontal stripe are called Beau's lines. ... but nail discoloration in the nail bed can be a symptom of a type of ... As the nail grows, this can cause a dark line to extend ...
1. Melanonychia: The Role of Melanin in Nail Discoloration. Melanonychia appears as brown or black stripes running vertically from the base to the tip of the nail. These unique markings are caused by an increase in melanin production by specialized cells called melanocytes found in the nail matrix. The Variations in Appearance
Most commonly, dark stripes down a person’s nails are due to a symptom known as linear melanonychia. According to DermNet, these stripes more commonly occur in people with darker skin tones ...
Ignoring persistent pain or discoloration can lead to more serious issues, including nail loss or infection. 2. Toenail Fungus: The Silent Invader. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common and persistent cause of nail discoloration. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making feet the perfect target—especially for those who ...
Discover the causes of black streaks in your nails, from harmless pigmentation to potential health concerns. ... can have various causes; Nail discoloration may be harmless or indicate underlying health issues; ... Almost all Afro-Caribbean people get dark nail spots by age 50. Dark nail stripes, or linear melanonychia, are common in people ...
Nail pigmentation is observed in approximately 90% of melanonychia cases. It appears as brown or black discoloration due to increased melanin production in the nail matrix, the tissue beneath the nail that produces nail cells. The intensity of the pigmentation can vary and is often more pronounced in individuals with darker skin tones.
Melanin in the nail plate is usually evenly spread out, but it can become irregular. With longitudinal melanonychia, pigment cells at the bottom of the nail transfer melanin to nail cells. As the nail grows out, the melanin gets carried with it, creating length-wise stripes from the nail fold (cuticle).
Melanonychia is brown, gray, or black discoloration of the nail plate that can be caused by many conditions, ranging from benign to malignant. 1 Careful evaluation is needed to rule out melanoma and other malignant causes of nail discoloration. Treatment varies based on the underlying cause. 1 This article describes the etiology, symptoms, and treatment of melanonychia and how to distinguish ...
There are a number of causes of melanocytic activation. Some of these include: Race: Melanonychia can naturally occur in African American, Hispanic, Indian, Japanese, and other dark-skinned races. It appears as multiple bands that go from the nail bed to the tip of the nail. It's more common in fingers and usually happens in multiple nails.
“If your nail is brown or black, the most important thing to worry about is a nail melanoma,” (a.k.a. the most serious form of skin cancer), says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., a dermatologist and ...
Knowing the cause of a black streak on toenails is key for treatment and prevention. By figuring out if it’s from trauma, infection, pigment changes, or an underlying condition, we can handle it better.. Medical Conditions Related to Dark Lines on Toenails. Dark lines on the nail might seem like a small thing at first. But they can hint at bigger health issues.
There are several causes, some are more serious than others, but the most important cause could be melanoma of the nail called subungual melanoma. Nail discoloration that occurs as a vertical line is also called longitudinal melanonychia. It occurs due to an overproduction of melanocytes in that area of the nail.