What are splinter hemorrhages a sign of?
They are named splinter hemorrhages because they look like a splinter under the fingernail. The hemorrhages may be caused by tiny clots that damage the small capillaries under the nails. Splinter hemorrhages can occur with infection of the heart valves (endocarditis).
Is it normal to have a black line on your finger?
Melanoma will never push upward, but will expand in width. A malignant tumor in a nail nearly always affects just one nail. Dark lines on several nails that all look the same are very likely benign.
Why do I have black lines under my fingernail?
Hutchinson’s sign can also appear in the skin at the top of the nail. Melanoma lines under the nails tend to be thicker than the harmless splinter-like lines that many people get. They also tend to be comprised of varying shades of brown to black, or if just brown, the shades usually still vary.
What does a black line on the thumb mean?
A black discoloration that’s a straight vertical line or streak and grows from the nail bed, usually on a single nail, is not something to ignore. About 75 percent of cases involve the big toe or the thumb. What it might mean: Melanoma, the deadliest form of cancer.
Why do I have a black stripe on my finger?
The most common nails to see this dark stripe under is the thumb, big toe, and index finger. There are also signs that the stripe is more than an under-the-nail bruise, including: Treatments of this cancer vary on the stage in which it has been caught. If discovered early enough, the nail tissue or nail may only have to be removed.
What does a black line on a fingernail 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.
What do black lines mean on fingernails?
More seriously, a black line or lines on the nails can indicate the presence of melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. Melanoma under a fingernail is known as subungual melanoma.
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.
Why do I see black lines on fingernails?
Why Do Your Fingernails Have Black Streaks? Lack of Nutrition. Your nails can give you insight into whether you are receiving enough nutrients, particularly protein and calcium. Bleeding. Bleeding underneath the nails is known as a splinter hemorrhage and this sometimes causes black or dark red lines. Fungal Infections. Melanonychia. Nail Injury. Melanoma.