Question 1

i have a small single black line on the tip of my fingernail. it looks like a small splinter...what could it be?

Accepted Answer

Splinter hemorrhage: It's called a splinter hemorrhage.  If you only have them occasionally, don't worry about it.

Question 2

i've noticed small/thin black lines keep appearing under the tips of my fingernails over the past few days. what could this be from?

Accepted Answer

Splinters: Thin longitudinal black lines under fingernails can be what doctors call "splinters" &amp; can reflect tiny blood clot emboli that get caught there, where there are end arteries &amp; capillaries. Such tiny clots end up there after being generated inside left chambers of heart. Cardiologist exam indicated &amp; urgently if dizzy, feverish, chest pain, irregular heart beats or shortness of breath.

Question 3

i have small black lines on my one fingernail. should i see a doctor?

Accepted Answer

Splinter Hemorrhage: A splinter hemorrhage can occur for a variety of reasons and may be harmless or a sign of a more serious health condition.

If caused by trauma these usually resolve after a few weeks. If no resolution or if accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, pale skin, joint pain, shortness of breath, a more serious cause needs to be considered and a doctor should be seen as soon as possible.

Question 4

i have a bunch of very small black dots inside my fingernails and nail beds. i'm a big nail biter so i look at my nails a lot throughout the day. they just appeared one day and i can't get them to go away.

Accepted Answer

Splinter hemorrhage?: These may be what are called splinter hemorrhages. They can be dot-like but also needle-like. I don't think biting has anything to do with it. It would be worth having your doctor or a dermatologist look at them.

Question 5

i have a small black spot under my thumb fingernail, what is it ?

Accepted Answer

Have it evaluated: Have it evaluated. It is often nothing but it may be a more serious condition such as a melanoma.

Question 6

what causes black vertical lines under fingernails ? i am asking for a 66 yr. old male.

Accepted Answer

Blood clots : Tiny blood clots, usually broken off from heart valves then float to the end arteries of the fingertips and get caught in the capillaries of the nail bed.  They are not dangerous in and of themselves, but could be reflective of a heart problem.

Question 7

one of my fingernails is turning black and they all have ridges. ....what could be causing this?

Accepted Answer

Nail issues: The best thing would be to have it checked out as it could be anything from fungal infection to injury or other disease. If you have ridges it could also be fungal infection but it is difficult to say without looking at it. See your doctor. If it developed acutely it could be an injury but you would have known it since it would be painful to have it bleed and have the blood underneath turn dark.

Question 8

i get thin, short, black vertical lines beneath my fingernails that grow out. months will pass and no lines and then they appear again. what are they?

Accepted Answer

Splinter bleeds?: If you're describing splinter hemorrhages (there many web photos for you to compare), you'd do well to show them to your physician, though this isn't the classic presentation that raises concerns. I always have splinters just from cutting my nails super-short. You may be describing something else, and again i'd urge you to have them seen.

Question 9

hi, i am scared, my fingernails have changed colour, i did used to have black under my fingernails and i hope it is just fungi, please help me?

Accepted Answer

Don't be scared: Have you family make you an appointment to see dermatologist to diagnose. Nails can change color for many reasons, and usually nail fungus is yellow and white

Question 10

and not have a webbed neck, small fingernails and deformed elbows?

Accepted Answer

Turner's syndrome?: The first half of the question is missing, so i'm going to guess that you're asking, is it possible to have turner's syndrome without the characteristics you listed? The answer is yes, not all women with ts have the physical signs of webbed neck, odd fingernails or "deformed" elbows. If that was not your question, please re-ask it, and include the first half.

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Doctor answers about:

Small black lines in fingernails

A member asked:

I have a small single black line on the tip of my fingernail. it looks like a small splinter...what could it be?

A member asked:

I've noticed small/thin black lines keep appearing under the tips of my fingernails over the past few days. what could this be from?

A member asked:

I have small black lines on my one fingernail. should i see a doctor?

A member asked:

I have a bunch of very small black dots inside my fingernails and nail beds. i'm a big nail biter so i look at my nails a lot throughout the day. they just appeared one day and i can't get them to go away.

A member asked:

I have a small black spot under my thumb fingernail, what is it ?

A member asked:

What causes black vertical lines under fingernails ? i am asking for a 66 yr. old male.

A member asked:

One of my fingernails is turning black and they all have ridges. ....what could be causing this?

A member asked:

I get thin, short, black vertical lines beneath my fingernails that grow out. months will pass and no lines and then they appear again. what are they?

A member asked:

Hi, i am scared, my fingernails have changed colour, i did used to have black under my fingernails and i hope it is just fungi, please help me?

A member asked:

And not have a webbed neck, small fingernails and deformed elbows?

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