What does dark fingernails mean?

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asked Feb 4, 2022 in Other- Health by livingstonia (1,380 points)
What does dark fingernails mean?

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answered Feb 4, 2022 by Minty (132,850 points)
Dark fingernails are usually but not always a sign of melanoma cancer under the fingernails.

So if you suddenly notice dark fingernails you should see a dermatologist to rule it out.

When a 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.

The signs of unhealthy nails are.

Discoloration (dark streaks, white streaks, or changes in nail color)
Changes in nail shape (curling or clubbing)
Changes in nail thickness (thickening or thinning)
Nails that become brittle.
Nails that are pitted.
Bleeding around nails.
Swelling or redness around nails.

Several deficiencies can show in nails.

Vitamin A and Vitamin B deficiencies as well as Zinc and Iron Deficiencies can show in nails.

A deficiency in B-complex vitamins, especially biotin, will produce ridges along the nail bed.

A diet lacking in calcium contributes to dry, brittle nails.

A lack of folic acid and vitamin C can lead to hangnails.

Zinc is an essential nutrient that can contribute to the health of a person's hair, skin, and nails.

Zinc deficiency, which may be due to a lack of zinc in the diet or an underlying medical condition, can cause nail dystrophy.

Nail dystrophy is the discoloration and distortion of a person's nails.

When a fingernail or toenail has infection it will usually be discolored and may also have swelling or even cracking.

If the fingernail or toenail is a result of an illness then usually just discoloration will occur with the fingernails or toenails.

Signs of an infected fingernail or toenail are.

Swelling where the finger meets the nail.
Redness and mild tenderness surrounding the infected area.
A blister filled with pus or pus draining from the swollen area.

A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body.

Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.

The difference between healthy nails and unhealthy nails is the healthy nails are healthy and have no infections, diseases, fungus etc underneath them while the unhealthy nails may be dirty, have infections, fungus, melanoma under the fingernails or be a result of and a sign of liver disease or kidney disease.

Healthy nails are smooth and have a consistent color.

Anything else affecting the growth or appearance of the fingernails or toenails may indicate an abnormality.

A person's nails can say a lot about the state of their health.

Nail abnormalities, in most cases, are not serious and can be easily treated.

When you have melanoma under your fingernails or fingernail it will appear as a brown-black colored band on your nail that is larger than three millimeters in size with irregularly shaped edges.

The discoloration grows, and at what rate it does so.

It's in the nail bed of your thumb, big toe, or index finger, although it can be seen in other fingers and toes.

Other signs of melanoma under your fingernail are.

A dark streak.
Dark skin next to your nail.
Nail lifting from your fingers or toes.
Nail splitting, which occurs when a nail splits down the middle.
A bump or nodule under your nails.

Changes in your fingernail color can also be an indicator of kidney disease.

Renal Failure fingernails will usually be more white in color or Jaundice color or normal to reddish brown color.

When people have kidney disease, nitrogen waste products build up in our bodies.

Your kidneys are not filtering those products out properly.

This can lead to changes in the look and structure of both fingernails and toenails.

When you have liver disease your nails will usually be mostly white in color or have darker rims.

With liver disease your nails such as your fingernails may also look like Jaundice color.

Your liver can and does affect your nails.

When you have liver problems your nails color may change which can be an indicator of liver disease.

If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis.

If your nails have a Jaundice look to them that can also be a sign and indicator of liver disease.

Brushing your nails does make them stronger.

For best results, brush your nails two to three times per week.

However, should you wish to do it more that's okay as well, so long as you don't irritate the cuticle or brush too harshly.

Regular nail grooming can also help boost the strength of your nails, encouraging growth and reducing breakage.

Some ways to keep your nails well-maintained include: keeping your nails dry and clean, which keeps bacteria from growing beneath them.

To keep your nails clean and healthy brush your nails often and clean underneath the nails as well as on top of the nails.

Also clip and cut your fingernails to keep them from growing too long.

If you do not cut your nails regularly they can grow too long and easily get damaged and broken and you may actually rip or tear a nail off during injury.

Because of their length, longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.

To help prevent the spread of germs and nail infections: Keep nails short and trim them often.

A nail whether fingernail or toenail will grow back if removed or ripped off etc due to injury.

Nails such as fingernails and toenails do have the ability to grow back but it will take a few months to even 6 months or so before the fingernail or toenail grows back fully.

Fingernails can regrow entirely in three to six months.

Fingers or toes that have sustained injuries that affect the nail bed and the matrix grow more slowly than unaffected nails for about three months.

After a nail separates from the nail bed for whatever reason, it will not reattach.

A new nail will have to grow back in its place.

Nails grow back slowly.

It takes about 6 months for a fingernail and up to 18 months for a toenail to grow back.

If you rip a nail off you should do the following.

Cover the nail with tape or an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown out enough to protect the finger or toe.
If you trim off the detached nail, you will have less worry about the nail catching and tearing.

What are the stages of nail regrowth?

Nails grow from underneath your skin at the matrix, which is the root of your nail.

New cells form in the matrix.

And as these new cells grow, older cells move up and push through your skin.

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