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| Causes of Dark Lines on Nails and How to Treat It |
The appearance of black lines on toenails or hands can make sufferers worry. Although generally harmless, the appearance of black lines on the nails can also indicate a serious illness that requires treatment from a doctor. In medical terms, black lines on the nails that appear vertically are also called melanonychia or longitudinal melanonychia. This condition can occur in one nail or several nails.
In general, melanonychia is divided into two types, namely:
- Melanocytic activation, which is a black line on the nails caused by an increase in melanin production in the nails
- Melanocytic hyperplasia, which is a black line on the nail caused by an increase in the number of pigment cells in the nail
Various Causes of Dark Lines on Nails
Most cases of black lines on the nails generally occur due to an increase in the production of melanin in the nails. This can be caused by the following factors:
1. Trauma
Trauma is one of the most common causes of dark lines on the nails. This can be triggered by various things, such as the habit of biting your nails, pinching your nails, or pressing your nails against something. When these conditions occur, melanin will collect in the nail cells, causing the nail color to turn black or brown.
2. Infection
The appearance of black lines on the nails can also be associated with a fungal, bacterial, or viral infection that you are currently experiencing. Some infections that can cause black lines on the nails are subungual verrucae or warts under the nail plate, onychomycosis or nail fungus, and chronic paronychia.
3. Autoimmune disorders
An abnormality in the immune system can also be one of the causes of the appearance of black lines on the nails. This usually happens if you have nail psoriasis, Addison's disease, or lichen planus.
4. Drug side effects
Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments for causing dark lines to appear on the nails. Not only that, black lines on the nails can also occur due to side effects of the drugs you are taking, such as drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS or malaria.
5. Certain medical conditions
The appearance of black lines on the nails can also occur if you have certain medical conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, growth hormone dysfunction, lupus, HIV, and several genetic disorders including hereditary amyloidosis, Laugier-Hunziker syndrome, and Touraine syndrome. In certain cases, the appearance of black lines on the nails can also be a sign of subungal melanoma. This type of cancer usually only affects one finger or toe and is characterized by a black line on the nail
How to Treat Dark Lines on Nails
Treatment of black lines on the nails varies, depending on the underlying cause. As long as the nail line is not cancerous, the condition may not require any treatment. However, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if the black lines on your nails are caused by a bacterial infection, or antifungal if the dark lines on your nails are caused by a fungal infection.
Meanwhile, if the black lines on your nails are caused by a side effect of medication, your doctor may change the medication or ask you to stop using it for a while. If the black line on the nail is due to nail melanoma, the doctor may suggest surgery to stop the abnormal tissue from growing.
Dark lines on the nails can be caused by many conditions. If you experience black lines on your nails, don't hesitate to consult a doctor to get an examination and treatment that is appropriate for your condition.
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