Sometimes it can be related to a nutritional deficiency or an injury, and other times it can be benign.

Sometimes called nail moles, these black marks are similar to moles that can appear on other parts of the body (such as your arms, shoulders, face or back), and many times they are not malignant, but all the same they should be checked out by a dermatologist.

Black lines may not always be directly related to mole growth or melanoma, but could also be caused by aging, nutritional issues, arthritis, fungus infections, or a heart infection.

Red lines that may develop under your nails are also an indicator that something could be wrong.

These red lines, called splinter hemorrhages, can be the result of a heart infection that have caused capillaries to burst.

Dark-skinned people, for example, are far more likely to see black lines forming under their nails, but they also have more instances where said lines are benign.

On the other hand, such lines are far less common in Caucasians, but when they do appear theres a better chance that its melanoma.

It should be noted that this type of melanoma, subungual melanoma, is extremely rare, especially in the United States.

This means that your body is continuing to produce more of whatevers causing the discoloration.

There really isnt much you can do on your own at this point, so its important to seek proper medical attention.

As mentioned, they are common in dark-skinned individuals, often without health repercussions.

Still, its a good idea to show them to your doctor regardless of complexion and age.

It could also have something to do with nerve damage resulting from a chronic condition like arthritis.

Sometimes it could even be linked to a nutritional imbalance or deficiency.

High levels of selenium may also play a role in forming black lines under the fingernails, so paying attention to diet and supplementation could offer some help.

When your diet is made up primarily of vegetables, fruit, healthy fats, animal protein, and whole grains, youll be getting adequate amounts of all the nutrients you need.

Taking a daily multivitamin to fill in the gaps can be a good idea, but it shouldnt be used as your primary source of nutrition.

These lines, mentioned earlier, are called splinter hemorrhages and indicate small areas of bleeding beneath the nails.

These thin red lines run vertically down the nail, and basically look like splinters, from which they draw their name.

These can occur for a number of reasons, and sometimes it can be an indicator of heart disease or cardiovascular problems.

The eyes and nose are other places where this is seen, and can be a result of stress or heart troubles.

To combat this from occurring, it might be worthwhile to explore some lifestyle changes including more exercise, an improved diet, limiting stress, quitting smoking, limiting drinking, and trying to find ways to get better sleep.

This is really nothing to worry about and should subside shortly after the pregnancy has concluded.

Horizontal Lines On The Fingernails