Spots, grooves and stripes on nails are a fairly common occurrence. Our body thus tries to pay attention to this or that metabolic disorder.
This mechanism is implemented very simply - the nail bed is penetrated by the finest capillaries, and all metabolic disorders affect it first. When the nutrition of the nail is disrupted, a white or black groove, stripe or spot is formed.
As a rule, in such cases, most women do not go to a dermatologist, but use all kinds of methods and manipulations in order to hide the defect that has appeared. This makes it difficult to diagnose and timely treat a particular pathology.
- 2 Subungual melanoma is one of the most dangerous tumors
- 3 Dark stripes due to disruption of the digestive system
- 4 Bands for various types of cardiovascular pathologies
- 5 Mechanical damage to the nail plate
- 6 Examples of the most common causes of black stripes on nails
6.1 Photo gallery: common causes of dark stripes on nails
Causes of Streaks and Spots on Nails
The sooner the cause of a particular process is determined, the better for health.
Streaks on nails may be the result of an incorrect diet
For example, one of the most popular causes of stripes is a deficiency of microelements and vitamins in people on strict diets. In this case, the onychologist recommends vitamins, good nutrition and consultation with a nutritionist.
Amateur diets are a profanation of the very principle of diet therapy, leading to numerous metabolic disorders. The diet should take into account the individual characteristics of the body, including the rate of elimination of certain substances by the kidneys and liver, the patient’s age, concomitant pathologies and much more. Take your time - visit a nutritionist to create an adequate menu.
After the deficiency of iron, zinc and vitamins is restored, after some time the characteristic stripes and spots disappear.
Quite often the situation is associated with visits to beauty salons, i.e. with a traumatic moment. The black stripes in this case are longitudinal.
Black stripes may be associated with mechanical damage to the finger, such as a bruise
A bruised finger may also be accompanied by the appearance of black stripes, but in this case the diagnosis lies on the surface - damaged and swollen soft tissues themselves indicate the cause of this situation. With constant trauma (some working specialties), the number of such strips increases, and onychodystrophy develops.
Black longitudinal stripes often occur in older people. This is due to atherosclerosis of small vessels at the base of the nail. The nail plate itself becomes deformed due to nutritional deficiency - thickens and splits.
The condition of the nails may reflect problems with blood vessels
Sometimes dark stripes appear on the big toe nail due to gout, in other cases they accompany arthritis and psoriasis. The color of the stripes in this case can vary, what is more important is their very presence. In case of cardiovascular diseases, the stripes on the nails are mainly located in pairs along the edge of the nail plate.
If a bumpy surface of the nail is added to the dark stripes, this may indicate arthritis or arthrosis.
Processes that cause predominantly black stripes on nails:
Body ailments
Very often, black spots on the fingernails, the causes of which do not lie in mechanical damage, can occur as a result of various malfunctions in the body.
So, circles that have a browner tint may indicate a disorder in the functioning of the kidneys. Spots that are charcoal black in color, especially if they are located in groups, may indicate that there are some problems in the liver. Spots that have a bluish tint are reminiscent of a disorder in the cardiovascular system.
Particular attention should be paid to the state of your health if a black spot on the nail appears simultaneously with rashes or neoplasms, such as moles and papillomas. In this case, it is necessary to contact an oncologist as soon as possible for testing and detailed consultation. Note that very often cancer cells manifest themselves in this way in the human body. In this case, a person will not be able to solve this problem without surgery.
Subungual melanoma is one of the most dangerous tumors
It is a dangerous malignant neoplasm that occurs in this case under the nail plate. The danger from this location is colossal, since melanoma usually arises from nevi, and it is absolutely not expected under the nail.
With subungual melanoma, streaks can be caused by both the tumor itself and hemorrhages
The dark stripe (spot) in this case is black due to the color of the melanocytes (pigment cells that make up the body of the tumor).
However, the color of the formation can also be brown, purple, blue-black, blue-red.
Melanoma is a very aggressive tumor, so soon ichor begins to ooze from under the nail, and the skin around it becomes inflamed, which can be perceived by the surgeon as felon. If such an “abscess” is opened without understanding what exactly we are opening, the consequences can be very sad - fulminant metastasis and stage 4 cancer.
In this case, longitudinal black stripes can be either the tumor itself or hemorrhages caused by tissue destruction.
Healthy nails
If a person has no health problems, then his nails look healthy. The appearance of healthy nails provides a smooth, even surface without roughness of uniform color throughout the entire plate, except for the lunula and the cut line. In addition, if the plate is not mechanically damaged, then it should have a slight shine. As for the shade of the nails, it should be light pink. If your nails do not meet any of these criteria, then most likely there are some problems in the body.
Among other things, it is necessary to pay attention not only to problems such as weakness and splitting of nails, which are very often considered exclusively a cosmetic defect. Specks, nets, irregularities and various types of plate deformations - all this can tell us about certain pathologies that prevent healthy nails from growing freely. The reason for such deviations may lie in certain diseases of the internal organs, or lie directly in impaired growth of the nail plate.
Dark streaks due to disruption of the digestive system
Stripes on nails may reflect dietary habits
Oddly enough, eating undercooked pork often provokes dark streaks. In this case, it is recommended to consult a nutritionist and replace certain types of meat with fish, eggs, dairy products and seafood.
Fruits are recommended, especially green apples, as well as vegetable salads.
In addition, such phenomena often occur with gastritis or ulcers of the stomach and/or duodenum, as well as with gastroduodenitis and ulcerative colitis.
Minor deformations
If you have problems with your nails, such as small spots, minor distortions or minor bruises under the plate, then the reason may be some kind of microtrauma that you may not even notice or feel discomfort during its application. Very often, such injuries happen to people who are actively involved in sports. In addition, a black spot under the nail more often appears in those who, due to their occupation, are on their feet for a large amount of time during the day.
Toenails are subject to deformation no less often. Many people don’t think about the fact that health depends on the right shoes. So, if you wear shoes that are too tight, you may well earn yourself a whole bunch of various diseases and abnormalities related to your nails. The fact is that wearing shoes that do not fit you or simply cause discomfort can result not only in bruising, but also in deformation of the toes. At first glance, this seems harmless, but in fact, in the future it can lead to the development of arthritis.
In addition, you need to pay special attention to all chemicals that your hands come into contact with. Various fertilizers, chemicals and detergents can cause serious harm to the health of your nails
You should work with them very carefully, always using high-quality protective gloves. Note that most chemical mixtures have a side effect such as a change in the pigmentation of the skin or nails, so be prepared that if you neglect your safety rules, you can not only ruin the appearance and aesthetics of your nails, but also experience serious health difficulties
Stripes for various types of cardiovascular pathologies
Infective endocarditis, i.e. inflammation of the membranes of the heart, which occurs with constant chronic foci of infection in the body (sinusitis, pharyngitis, pyelonephritis, etc.), manifests itself as black stripes on the nails.
In addition, similar symptoms occur with a variety of vasculitis, massive atherosclerosis and anemia of any origin.
Anemia, by the way, often accompanies malignant blood diseases, so signs of anemia in combination with dark stripes on the nails are a reason to visit a hematologist.
Avitaminosis
Not everyone knows that such a common problem as vitamin deficiency can also cause the appearance of defects on the nails. When a person does not have enough vitamins in his body, he becomes especially susceptible to the appearance of elementary diseases. Scientists believe that even a lack of one important element can cause significant harm to health.
Most often, black spots on the fingernails, photos of which we see in the article, appear in people who do not eat properly or decide to follow various diets that are contraindicated for them in principle due to health conditions or characteristics of the body. If a person does not have enough protein, vitamin deficiency may develop due to this, which, in turn, causes anemia. That is why it is necessary to closely monitor that meat and dairy products, fiber, and grains are always included in the diet.
Mechanical damage to the nail plate
Very often, stripes are observed in athletes, as well as lovers of active outdoor games and other activities where the hands are involved (basketball, tennis, contact types of combat).
In addition to manicure, spots and dark stripes on toenails are caused by excessively tight shoes, fungal infection (dark spots due to fungi occur, but very rarely), and trichinosis.
A separate point is hormonal pathologies in women. Dark stripes in this case signal changes in the body and are caused by menopause, a new contraceptive, or diseases of the endocrine glands.
How to treat
In any case, if any damage or damage to a natural manicure or pedicure is detected, it is recommended to consult a doctor. As a rule, you need to contact a dermatologist, surgeon, pathologist or mycologist (if you know that the problem is a fungal infection).
After examining the damaged area and taking tests, the specialist prescribes a treatment regimen for the patient. It is important to follow the prescribed recommendations to prevent complications.
Features of treatment depend on the original problem:
- If the cause of the black plate is a fungus, the doctor prescribes antimycotics: Exoderil, Mycoderil, Mycosan, Lamisil. In the initial forms of infection, only external medications are used; in advanced forms, oral medications are included that eliminate inflammatory processes.
- When the body is intoxicated with strong medications, its cleansing is prescribed, for which absorbents are used: activated carbon, Enterosgel.
- To increase local immunity, aimed at restoring healthy nails, anti-inflammatory ointments are prescribed: Panthenol, Bepanten. They should be used immediately after the first stripes appear - daily, 2 times a day.
- In case of infectious diseases, chronic diseases, or organ dysfunctions, the patient is redirected to a more specialized specialist who prescribes appropriate medications.
Sometimes black spots on the surface are accompanied by pain. If they are undergoing a pedicure, then the girl can feel them while walking. To alleviate discomfort, it is recommended to use painkillers - Nise, Ibuprofen.
Typically, the rehabilitation period for natural nails takes about two months or more, since this time is enough for a healthy plate to grow back. To speed up getting a positive result, it is recommended to carry out complex treatment, which, in addition to medications, includes the use of traditional recipes.
There are several effective homemade formulations:
- Steam bath. Add 20 grams of sea salt and 5-6 drops of any essential oil to 1 liter of water. You need to take a bath for twenty minutes daily;
- Compress with onion and aloe. Mix aloe juice, onion pulp and lemon juice in equal proportions. Mix the mixture and spread it over a cotton pad, placing it on the damaged area and securing it with an adhesive plaster. After half an hour, remove the compress;
- Treat the plate with lemon juice, essential oils, iodine. Every day before going to bed, apply some natural component to the black pigmented part to provide nutrition to the matrix;
- Compress with soda. A teaspoon of baking soda should be poured with a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide, and then spread over the black nail. After 5-7 minutes, rinse off the composition. During its use, a slight burning sensation may be felt, which should not cause discomfort. The recipe should be used no more than four times a week.
To eliminate black color on the nail bed, it is recommended to perform daily home care procedures, as they accelerate the regeneration of epithelial cells, which reduces the treatment period.
Examples of the most common causes of black stripes on nails
Stripes with uneven edges up to 3mm wide are often found in older people (50-70 years old). In addition, among Asians, Indians, Africans and Mexicans, this is generally a common phenomenon associated with pigmentation characteristics.
Negroids of Africa in 75% of cases have such stripes; they are called Hutchinson's signs and do not mean anything at all.
Due to the use of some antimalarial drugs, as well as tetracycline antibiotics, vertical dark stripes may appear on several fingers.
Photo gallery: common causes of dark stripes on nails
If you or your loved ones experience similar symptoms, consult a dermatologist immediately. An exception may be if you have a known finger injury. In other cases, it is necessary to undergo diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Treatment options
The specialist selects therapy for complaints of darkening of the nails based on the reasons that provoked the problem. The underlying disease that gave this symptom is taken into account. The patient will need to undergo a full examination.
Getting rid of the defect requires an integrated approach:
- undergoing medication therapy prescribed by a doctor;
- diet;
- taking vitamin complexes;
- undergoing physiotherapeutic procedures;
- use of folk remedies;
- giving up uncomfortable and tight shoes in favor of comfortable ones;
- proper nail care;
- removing an ingrown toenail surgically (if necessary).
Folk remedies
The use of traditional recipes does not give a positive effect in all cases. Before using a folk remedy, you should consult a specialist.
Home remedies are a good addition to doctor-prescribed drug therapy. If dark spots or spots appear on the nail, it will help:
- taking warm baths with soap or soda solution;
- applying tea tree oil to the problem area;
- treatment of the affected nail with iodine solution (concentration 5%) for 14 days or alcohol tincture of propolis;
- treatment with a solution of potassium permanganate (the product is effective if the lesion is fungal in nature).
Reference. If the defect is a symptom of a pathology affecting internal organs, home treatment will not help. Spots caused by diseases, in particular benign or malignant tumors, require qualified medical care.
Drug treatment
Before starting treatment, you need to consult a specialist to determine the cause of black spots on the nails.
You should visit a dermatologist or mycologist. Then see a therapist.
The doctor will examine you and refer you for tests. You will need:
- take a blood test;
- scrape the nail plates;
- undergo an examination of internal organs.
This will help confirm or refute the likely cause of the problem.
If the black spots are caused by a malfunction of the internal organs, the patient will be prescribed appropriate treatment. Possible hospitalization. Therapy will be directed against the disease that led to the appearance of darkening on the nails. Cosmetic removal of dark spots will not give the desired result if the cause of their occurrence is not treated.
If the cause of darkening of the nail plate is a fungal infection, then it is necessary to determine the type of spore that has affected. Self-medication is unacceptable. Only a specialist will be able to prescribe adequate therapy and select the correct antifungal drug. The advanced state of the problem complicates treatment, delaying recovery for several months. In severe cases of the disease, the doctor may prescribe surgery.
If the cause of blackening on the nail plate is injury, then a cold compress should be applied to the injured area. Heparin ointment is applied to the affected area. To make the hematoma resolve faster, use Traumeel and Troxevasin.
If your immune system is weakened, taking immunostimulants and vitamin complexes will help.
Reference. If the appearance of black spots on the nails is caused by exposure to chemicals or dyes, then the plates can be bleached at home using soda or hydrogen peroxide.
Video: diagnosis of diseases based on the condition of nails
- Author: Alexandra
General practitioner at a city clinic. Eight years ago I graduated from Tver State Medical University with honors. Rate this article:
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Disease progression
In the initial stages, subungual melanoma has a limited size. Cancer cells have not yet affected other tissues and organs. The risk of further spread of the tumor process is low. If the tumor has not grown into the epithelial tissue, the person is diagnosed with stage zero melanoma. At the first stage of development of the pathological process, the thickness of the neoplasm does not exceed one millimeter. When the tumor thickness is up to 4 mm, the disease is at the second stage of development. At this stage there may be microscopic ulcerations. They are very dangerous: even one such cell located on a square millimeter can cause aggressive metastasis. At this stage of the disease, raised bumps may appear on the surface of the nail.
At the third stage of the tumor process, the thickness of the neoplasm exceeds 4 mm. Pathologically changed cells spread from the nail to the surrounding areas and lymph nodes that are nearby. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital determine the presence of altered lymph nodes using a biopsy and histological examination.
At the fourth stage of development of the malignant process, melanoma cells begin to spread to other organs. Most often the liver, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and heart are affected. At this stage of the disease, the effectiveness of therapeutic measures does not exceed 10%.
With slow progression of melanoma, metastases appear at the most advanced stages. There is also a fulminant form of subungual melanoma, when metastases spread extremely quickly through the bloodstream to distant organs. The following signs indicate tumor metastasis:
- Change in skin tone (it becomes dull, ashy);
- The appearance of a noticeable compaction under the nail plate;
- The nail is almost completely destroyed and bleeds;
- Having a chronic cough;
- Increased body temperature;
- Development of seizures;
- Enlargement and hardening of lymph nodes;
- Loss of body weight.
Patients in the later stages of the tumor process develop cachexia. Patients in need of palliative care receive it at the Yusupov Hospital.
Diagnostic methods
The diagnosis of subungual melanoma in the later stages is not difficult. Diagnosis at the initial stage, when there are no specific symptoms, is very difficult. Dermatologists at the Yusupov Hospital carry out differential diagnosis of subungual melanoma of the big toe with the following diseases:
- Panaritium;
- Fungal infection of the nail bed (onychomycosis);
- Wart;
- Subungual and subepidermal hematoma;
- Nevus;
- Cavernous thrombosed hemangioma.
The specific localization of the tumor process and its latency at the first stage make it difficult for the patient to visualize the tumor. Subungual melanoma is not visible in the photo at the beginning of the disease. Often the diagnosis is established already at the stage of vertical growth and the beginning of the spread of metastases.
Who is at risk?
Experts identify a group of people who experience pathological changes on the nail plates. These include:
- Teenagers aged 11 to 15 years. During this period, they experience a deficiency of beneficial vitamins and microelements. Substances participate in active growth and provoke unbalanced metabolic reactions;
- Pregnant and lactating women. When carrying a fetus, women notice a lack of nutrients in their bodies. Breastfeeding indicates a deficiency of zinc, B vitamins, calcium and iron;
- People suffering from diabetes;
- Puberty. At this time, hormonal changes occur in the human body;
- Pathology of the respiratory system;
- Changes in the performance of the nervous system.
Manicure with dots: photo 2022
A manicure with dots is ideal for any look, because it is stylish, unobtrusive and fashionable. Manicure designs in the form of dots are very popular and will be an absolute trend in nail art in 2022. And look at our photo selection for the best ideas:
Get inspired by ideas and create your own unique manicure!
