DARK SPOTS OR STREAK

                                     

                                         

When a person has black or dark stripes running down their nails, the explanations can range from something normal through to severe, such as melanoma. If a fingernail or toenail has a new or changing dark streak, it's time to see a dermatologist for a skin cancer check. That dark streak could be melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer. Not every dark streak is a melanoma, but it's always good to have a dermatologist examine one.

What causes dark streaks on nails?

Melanonychia: What Is It, Causes, and More 

Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin — brown-colored pigment — into the nail. 

When to suspect melanoma and refer :

Although melanoma is less commonly associated with brown-black vertical nail lines, awareness of melanoma-associated longitudinal melanonychia reduces the likelihood of delayed diagnosis and improves patient outcomes. Also, it is important to remember that although nail melanoma is more common in the 5th and 6th decades of life, it can occur at any age, even in children.

Findings that raise suspicion of nail melanoma and that should prompt referral to a dermatologist who specializes in nails include the following:

• A personal or family history of melanoma
• Involvement of a “high-risk” digit (thumb, index finger, great toe), although nail melanoma can occur in any digit
• Any new vertical brown-black nail pigmentation in a fair-skinned patient
• Only one nail affected: involvement of more than one nail is common in people with darker skin, and nearly all patients with darker skin exhibit longitudinal melanonychia by age 50
• Changes in the band such as darkening, widening, and bleeding
• Bandwidth greater than 6 mm
• A band that is wider proximally than distally
• Nonuniform color of the line
• Indistinct lateral borders

How to Prevent and Treat Nail Problems :

• Do Clean Up
• Don’t Bite
• Do Keep Them Dry
• Do Trim -- the Right Way
• Don’t Wear Shoes That Don’t Fit
• Don’t Forget to Check Out Your Nail Salon
• Do See a Doctor If Your Nails Don’t Look Right

For more details visit us at - First Floor, Sai Paradise shop no 1, Plot 21, opp. Prashant Corner, Sector 4, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400706.

Visit our website - www.skinsoul.in

Contact us at - +91 7045932429 / +91 9619452648 / +91 9321584678 / 

+022 27658788