Why do nails turn black?

Many people find that their nails turn black in their daily lives. This may be caused by onychomycosis. Of course, if people have circulatory system diseases, health problems such as nutrient deficiencies, or trauma caused by external impacts, their nails will turn black. For both nail matrix nevus and melanoma, darkening of nails is also one of the symptoms!

1. Nails turn black

Onychomycosis is a local disease with a certain degree of contagion caused by dermatophytes invading the nail plate. The main symptoms are thickening of the nail plate, uneven surface, darkening of color, and loose texture. Fungal infection causes changes in nail structure and color, and the nails become brittle and easy to fall off.

2. Circulatory system diseases

Darkening of nails may also be caused by problems with the circulatory system. Circulatory system diseases can lead to insufficient blood supply to the myocardium, which in turn can cause terminal ischemia and cause the nails to turn dark. This type of disease is mainly seen in severe heart infections, myocarditis, other heart diseases, hemorrhagic diseases, etc. The condition is generally more serious, and blackening of nails may be just one of the symptoms.

3. Lack of nutrients

Long-term malnutrition leads to long-term lack of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and other elements in the body, and nails are prone to darkening. However, the darkening of nails caused by this situation is generally rare.

4. Blackening of nails due to traumatic congestion

Sometimes, when the nails are squeezed by external trauma or scratched without timely treatment, the subcutaneous blood vessels may rupture and bleed. When the blood clots accumulate under the nails and have not yet disappeared, it may appear that the nails have turned black from the outside.

5. Nail matrix nevus

The most common symptom of nail matrix nevus is the appearance of black lines on the nails. This is mainly due to systemic pigmentary diseases, local induced stimulation and other factors that lead to enhanced melanocyte activity and cause black lines on the nails. Since nail matrix nevus can easily turn into melanoma, the appearance of black lines on the nails should be given enough attention.

6. Melanoma

Melanoma is a highly malignant tumor that can occur on the skin. When it occurs on the nails, it can also cause the nails to turn black.