Why do black stripes appear on nails?

What do dark spots on the toenails mean?

If you find a dark spot under your big toe nail, don’t hesitate. It’s worth making an appointment with a doctor and not putting your health at risk, because the list of possible diseases is extensive and sometimes scary. When visiting a doctor with this delicate problem, he will make a preliminary diagnosis using a method based on a simple chart. It is important to point out that the shade of the spot greatly influences the outcome of the diagnosis, sometimes even more than the symptoms:

• White spots indicate kidney disease and gastrointestinal problems.
• Yellow: skin problems. It is worth reviewing your diet and skin care routine.
• Green, brown spots indicate a fungus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Treated with antifungal agents.
• Blue and purple: hematomas. They hurt when pressed and form stagnation of blood under the nail. It will hurt until the nail grows back.
• Dark brown: vitamin deficiency, diabetes. Review your lifestyle and diet. A course of vitamins and a balanced diet are recommended.
• Brown: chronic renal failure. Mandatory visit to the doctor.
• Black: liver problems. Mandatory visit to the doctor.

The list itself is relative and does not always suit a particular patient, but you can approximately prepare for the doctor’s verdict. Taking into account the fact that each person is unique, self-medication based on the experience of other patients is extremely inappropriate, because you can harm healthy parts of the body. A consultation with a doctor means, in most cases, the correct diagnosis and course of recovery, selected individually for each patient.

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Black stripes on nails

When there is a malfunction, the body tries to indicate the problem by forming barely noticeable transverse stripes in the hollow vessels of the nail plate. A small black spot on the nail of the big toe indicates vitamin deficiency and problems with the gastrointestinal tract. This problem applies to women on a strict diet. Doctors consider this a simple mechanical reaction and recommend switching to a balanced diet. Over time, the black spots on your toenails will disappear on their own. In the worst case, it could be subungual melanoma.

Brown spot on big toe nail

This is evidenced by an incorrect diet. Lack of folic acid and protein causes these kinds of problems. The nail plate has its own capillaries, similar to blood vessels. According to their condition, the body signals a reaction to an unbalanced diet, provoking the release of black pigment. Women often encounter brown spots during pregnancy, but doctors say that this phenomenon is absolutely normal, because the body should produce useful substances for two.

There is a dark spot under the extended nail

If a stain appears after nail extensions, in most cases, the problem is due to an incorrect procedure. During the process, unsterile equipment may be used, hygiene rules may be violated, or the inexperience of the master may play a role. An air cell forms between the nail and the gel, in which the fungus feels very comfortable. A sign of infection is redness and pain in the bone.

It is worth undergoing a course of treatment and changing the master, because a poor-quality manicure will cause a dark spot on the nail of the big toe. This problem applies to both gel coating and shellac. It turns out that the procedure is not entirely safe; you need to be very responsible when choosing a specialist. It is not recommended to use the services of cheap or little-known salons, or to lose vigilance if the master has known the client for a long time. Everyone makes mistakes, but it is important that they do not harm your health.

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Causes

Injury

Trauma
Bruise is a common cause of stains on the nails. The injury causes blood to pool in the tissue beneath the surface of the nail plate. In medical terms, this is called a subungual hematoma. A common symptom of this condition is a change in the color of the nail plate.

Toenail injuries can cause pain and discomfort. It can be caused by running or walking, or by wearing tight shoes. In this case, the dark spot is caused by damage to the capillaries under the nail.

It is necessary to trim your nails and wear well-fitting shoes to prevent such injuries. In this situation, painkillers as well as a simple cold compress can help relieve temporary pain.

If the injury is severe, a person may lose a nail, however, there should be no dark spots when a new one grows.

Fungal infection

Fungal infection is the other most likely cause of nail discoloration or blemishes. Fungus often occurs when toenails crumble. The most effective way to get rid of it is to take a course of antifungal medications.

A fungal infection can manifest itself as follows:

• Black spots on nails that begin to turn yellow
• Colored debris visible under the nail bed
• Thickening of nails
• The nail plate begins to deteriorate
• Unpleasant smell
• The edge of the nail is crumbling
• Incorrect growth
• Separation from the nail bed.

Treatment:

• Apply medicated varnish (sold in pharmacies) to get rid of the infection
• Reducing pressure on the affected area
• Surgical removal of the affected nail.

Bacterial infection

The dark green spot is due to a bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This is much easier to treat than fungus. Bacterial infection can also cause black spots. In some people, it causes the nail plate to turn green. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas) is a bacterium that causes the nail to turn green-black. Bacterial infection is common under loose nails.

To treat it at home, you can try applying antibiotic drops or soaking in an antiseptic solution such as vinegar. If the cause of the discoloration is a bacterial infection, you should:

• Avoid walking in open shoes
• Do not walk on grass or mud barefoot
• Clean your nails from dirt
• Avoid sharing shoes or socks.

Runner's toe

Subungual hematoma due to frequent running
This is a common type of injury seen in athletes. Also called a subungual hematoma, it results from a collection of blood under the nail. It is not a serious condition, but can be very painful.

A hematoma is caused by downward pressure or horizontal separation of the nail plate from the bed. This repetitive trauma results in bleeding and pooling of blood and is usually characterized by a reddish-black color to the toenail. In some people, the plate may also become thicker and more brittle.

Subungual hematoma is treated by conservatively reducing pressure in the affected area or by puncture and drainage. Another treatment option for more severe conditions is to remove the entire nail plate.

Ingrown nails

An ingrown toenail can sometimes darken.
An ingrown toenail is also a possible cause of darkening, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.

Jaundice

Jaundice
Jaundice is the medical term that describes the yellowing of the skin. Jaundice itself is not a disease, but rather a symptom of various possible underlying conditions in the body. The color change occurs when the body has too much bilirubin, a yellow pigment formed when dead red blood cells are broken down in the liver.

Exposure to heat

Wearing shoes for a long time promotes the growth of bacteria and fungi. For example, athlete's foot occurs when shingles develops. You can become infected with the fungus through direct contact with an infected person or with contaminated surfaces.

When the cause of black spots on the nails is athlete's foot caused by heat exposure, other symptoms include the following:

• Severe itching
• Burning sensation between fingers
• Painful blisters filled with fluid
• Dry skin on the soles or sides of your feet
• Peeling of nails from the nail bed.

Addison's disease

Addison's Disease
Also known as primary adrenal insufficiency or hypofunction, Addison's disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands (two small glands that are located on the surface of the kidneys).

The adrenal glands produce two important hormones: cortisol and aldosterone. The disease can affect people of all ages, but is more common in people aged 30 to 50 years. According to the United Kingdom's National Health Services, the condition is more common in women than men.

In developing countries, the disease is often associated with autoimmune disorders as well as tuberculosis.

According to a study by the United States National Institutes of Health, Addison's disease is commonly associated with dysphagia, fatigue, weight loss, hypotension, abdominal pain, and brittle nails. This condition is classically considered to have hyperpigmentation due to ACTH melanogenesis.

You should seek medical help if you notice any of the following symptoms:

• Darkening of areas of the skin
• Unwanted weight loss
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Increased cravings for salty foods
• Pain in joints or muscles.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a nail disease that affects approximately 2-3% of people. In psoriasis, too many skin cells are produced, which form colored spots, ulcers, and painful fluid-filled blisters.

Healthline reports that about half of people with psoriasis and about 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis develop changes in their nails. Currently, doctors cannot identify the cause of this phenomenon.

In rare cases, the nails are the only part of the body where signs of the disease appear. Some people may also develop an itchy rash on other parts of the body.

Psoriasis is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• May cause the nail plate to lose cells and cause small pits and irregularities to form on the surface of the nail
• Nail plate separation
• Compaction and reshaping
• Changing the color of your nails.

Treating this condition can be difficult because it affects the nail as it grows. Treatment options include the following:

• Phototherapy
• Oral antifungals
• Removing a damaged nail
• Steroid creams and ointments.

Skin cancer

Acral lentiginous subungual melanoma
Black spots under the nail can also be caused by skin cancer. Acral lentiginous melanoma is a type of cancer that can cause discoloration of the nails. Subungual melanoma begins in the nail matrix. Most often it affects the big fingers and toes. This rare type of skin cancer, like other melanomas, is associated with sun exposure. This disease requires mandatory treatment, as it can metastasize and spread throughout the body.

Diagnostics

If you notice changes in your nails, you should visit a doctor. The specialist will conduct a series of tests and ask questions related to the patient’s lifestyle and general condition. If the diagnosis matches the medical record, he will prescribe treatment. In most cases, the spots are caused by a fungus, which is very common - it is very easy to catch an infection. Therefore, disease prevention is the best way to protect yourself from long-term treatment, because the cost of preventive medications is not felt as much as the price of modern medications, which often hit the wallet very hard.

Dark lines on nails

A dark streak on the nail may be subungual melanoma.
This is a rare form of cancer. Early detection and treatment are imperative Dark spots or lines on the nails may occur due to hemorrhage. These are small blood clots that typically run vertically under the nails. This problem is not specific to any particular condition, but it may be associated with acute systemic lupus erythematosus, nail psoriasis, and antiphospholipid syndrome (thick blood).

Symptoms of endocarditis (inflammation of the heart) may develop slowly or suddenly. Some of them include fever, chills and sweating. Other symptoms:

• Small area of ​​bleeding under the nails
• Swelling of the legs
• Painful spots on the skin of the palms.

When the cause of dark spots or lines in the nails is hemorrhage associated with endocarditis, intravenous injections of antibiotics may be needed. It is necessary to diagnose the condition as soon as possible so that the correct treatment option can be applied.

Also, a change in pigmentation in the nail in the form of a line can be the cause of subungual melanoma (see the previous section of the article on skin cancer).

Treatment methods

Depending on the form of the disease, the spots are treated differently. A number of effective drugs have been invented against the fungus that will get rid of the problem in the shortest possible time. The injury is treated by gradually removing the nail. When there is a bruise under the plate, the compression gradually softens the nail, causing it to begin to divide into layers and break. It is important to take softening baths and trim dead shoots. This kind of problem can be treated on your own, but if the symptoms do not match a fungus or hematoma, consult a doctor immediately: the list of possible diseases is disappointing.

After a course of treatment, you should be more attentive to your body than before. A balanced diet, a complex of vitamins containing calcium and good hygiene. Experts believe that an organism once exposed to this disease is much more likely to return to it again than a healthy one. Patients with families should also examine their loved ones, especially if the disease has a fungal basis. Complete a full preventive course and examination by a doctor with the whole team.

Treatment options

Treatment for nails will depend on what is the underlying cause of the condition. Black nails can be painful, but with simple home remedies the discomfort can be reduced. You can try the following to get rid of dots and blemishes on your nails:

• After an injury, apply a cold compress to the affected areas
• Anti-inflammatory medications will help reduce swelling and inflammation caused by injury
• Make sure your shoes fit snugly to avoid irritation, which can lead to dark spots or worsen the existing condition.
• In cases where the cause of the problem is a fungal infection, it is worth using antifungal agents
• You should seek medical help if the darkening spreads to other nails or if there is no change during treatment of the problem.

Folk remedies

Our great-grandfathers learned how to eliminate such a problem as a black dot on the nail of the big toe. For example, vinegar baths and compresses will not only remove stains, but can also serve as a preventive measure against fungus. For the best effect, apply compresses for at least 20 minutes. Tea tree oil also helps a lot. The healing mixture consists of grated laundry soap and a drop of oil. Use the lotions twice a day for half an hour. Olive oil, a decoction of parsley with salt, and herbal decoctions help.

Small black spots or dots on the nails

The color and appearance of a nail can say a lot about your overall health. If a person is unable to determine the actual cause of the small black spots on the nails, it is necessary for a doctor to examine the condition and determine the actual cause of the problem.

Small black spots may be a sign of the following conditions:

• Melanocytic moles
• Malignant melanoma
• Addison's disease.

Preventing stains on nails

Reconsider your lifestyle in terms of body care and personal hygiene. A few simple rules will reduce the likelihood of stains developing:

• To prevent fungus, use slippers when showering outside the home - often showers in the gym are a breeding ground for fungus.
• Browse the shoe rack. Shoes that rub and cause discomfort can damage the nail plate and cause hematomas, as well as affect the formation of pathologies such as flat feet or protruding bones.
• Take vitamins containing calcium.
• Maintain personal hygiene.
• Don't use someone else's shoes.

Black spots under nails

Subungual hematoma is the most likely cause of black spots under the nails. It can also be found under your toenails.

Nail injuries can be especially painful. This can also cause the nail plate to change color from red to blue and finally black once the blood has dried.

Subungual hematoma is very common and can be caused by any of the following:

• Heavy object falling
• Hit the finger
• Pressure by the door.

Recommendations and tips

You should avoid using someone else's nail polish, as well as scissors and clippers, as this can be a major cause of infection. You need to use individual tools for pedicure and manicure when visiting beauty salons. You should avoid deep cuticle removal as this can cause infection.

You should avoid the urge to bite your nails and always try to keep them clean and dry. For healthy nails, you need a diet rich in vitamins and proteins. Vitamin B and calcium, found in eggs, meat, whole grains and milk, are helpful for growing strong nails.

If you have ingrown toenails, do not hesitate to consult a doctor. If you frequently use your hands and nails at work, you should wear rubber gloves to protect them.