Nails are able to reveal a person’s state of health, which is why it is important to monitor them daily.
Yellowed nail, broken nail, nail with black line: every person should absolutely not ignore the changes that occur.
In particular, nails with a black line should alarm the patient, who should immediately consult a doctor.
Black line on the nail: linear melanonychia
When a person has black lines on their nails, the explanations can range from something normal to something serious, such as melanoma.
The black lines on the nail are due to a symptom known as linear melanonychia. According to the UK National Health Service, these dark lines are common in patients of African American descent.
Linear melanonychia is considered to be a normal change in nail color. The condition occurs when pigments in the nail known as melanocytes produce excess pigment. This causes the nail beds darken.
Black line on the nails: what can be the causes?
The black-brown nail pigmentation it can be caused by:
- from yeast or mold infections (Aspergillus Nigel)
- from the use of some drugs such as antimalarials and antineoplastics
- from Heller’s dystrophy
- dal melanoma
- from vitamin B12 deficiency
- dall’HIV
- dalla syndrome at Peutz Jeghers
- from Addinson’s disease.
Black line on the nails and melanoma
Melanomas develop on areas of the body that get the most sun exposure, such as the chest, face, back, legs, ears, and arms.
However, melanoma can also form under the nails: we talk about “melanoma subungueale”, Which begins in the nail matrix (the part of the nail bed that protects the underlying skin).
It is most commonly diagnosed in the thumbs and big toes. Unlike many melanomas, subungual melanoma is not caused by sun exposure.
Subungual melanomas usually appear as a brown or black streak under the nail. Typically, these strips gradually increase in size and are usually larger than 3mm.
Unlike nail infection or nail trauma, subungual melanoma typically affects one nail at a time.
To diagnose subungual melanoma, your doctor will perform one biopsy. Most often, the doctor will numb the affected finger or toe and use a biopsy tool with a tube shape to remove a piece of the nail for testing.
Subungual melanoma can metastasize (spread) to other parts of the body if left untreated.
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