What does a horizontal black line on toenail mean?

Another cause of black lines on the nails is a splinter hemorrhage, which occurs when blood vessels under the fingernail are damaged, often due to injuries, such as hitting. More seriously, a black line or lines on the nails can indicate the presence of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.

Why is there a line across my toenail?

The bottom line Ridges in the fingernails are often normal signs of aging. Slight vertical ridges commonly develop in older adults. In some cases, they may be a sign of health problems like vitamin deficiencies or diabetes. Deep horizontal ridges, called Beau’s lines, may indicate a serious condition.

Why do I have a dark line on my big toenail?

Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin into the nail. Melanin is a brown colored pigment. These deposits are usually grouped together. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail.

What does melanoma look like under a toenail?

Subungual melanoma often starts as a brown or black streak under a toenail or fingernail. A person may mistake it for a bruise. Share on Pinterest A bruised nail, and dark streaks or stains on the nail with no known cause, may be signs of subungual melanoma.

What does a line down your nail mean?

What do dents in toenails mean?

Nail pitting is when you have tiny dents in your fingernails or toenails. It can be a sign of psoriasis, eczema, or joint inflammation. You might also get them if they run in your family.

What vitamin deficiency causes black lines on nails?

Our nails naturally develop slight vertical ridges as we age. However, severe and raised ridges can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin B12 or keratin can result in fingernail ridges. Hormonal changes can also cause ridges to appear.

How can you tell the difference between a melanoma and a bruised toenail?

A toenail hematoma is not a band or stripe (but remember, a melanoma CAN present as non-linear and appear like a patch, smear or smudge). Melanoma will typically appear composed of vertical bands.

What does a dark toenail mean?

If your toenail turns black, it’s most likely a bruise under the nail, technically called a subungual hematoma. You can get it from stubbing a toe or from footwear that cram your feet into the front of the shoe.

Can vitamin deficiency causes black lines on nails?

What causes black lines under toenail?

Black lines on the nail can be the result of many conditions. Trauma is one of the most common causes of splinter hemorrhages. This can occur when something hurts your nail bed and bursts a blood vessel under your nail.

What is a black line on Toenail?

Black lines that appear under fingernails and toenails in most circumstances is a splinter or fingernail hemorrhage. They are thin vertical lines that develop under the nail as a result of splinter hemorrhages.

What does black line on your fingernails mean?

A narrow black line that has formed vertically underneath your nail is called a splinter hemorrhage. It occurs for a variety of reasons and may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition. This condition is called a splinter hemorrhage because it may look like a wood splinter under your nail.

What causes black lines under fingernails?

Another cause of black lines on the nails is a splinter hemorrhage, which occurs when blood vessels under the fingernail are damaged, often due to injuries, such as hitting. More seriously, a black line or lines on the nails can indicate the presence of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer.