How to Get Rid of Black Lines on Nails: The Tips and Causes You Need to Know!

There you are—admiring your gorgeous nails but wait, what is that you see? Is that a black line under your nail?

Discovering that your nail indeed has black lines can be a bit unsettling. After all, it can detract to the beauty of your nails and make it look weird. But more than that, please be reminded that the appearance of our nails can say a lot about our health so it may be a sign of a health condition.

If that’s the case, then what do these lines mean? And the better question is, how to get rid of black lines on nails? Well, read on to find out!

As mentioned above, what your nail looks is indicative of your health. The appearance of black lines of fingernails may mean a lot of things—a disease, nutritional deficiency, and sometimes, it can be as simple as a sign of aging.

What Causes Black Lines in Fingernails?

Many people think that these nails maybe due to the forced removal of your fake nails and the likes but the causes of black lines on fingernails are wide and varied. The causes may range from the common and safe ones to the more serious ones, and we are going to discuss those causes with you in this article.

#1. No Cause for Alarm

As mentioned above, there are times when the appearance of that dark line is not a cause for any concern. This is when the black lines on the nails are due to the increase of production of melanocytes in that part of the nail, more commonly known as longitude melanonychia.

This condition usually occurs as we age and is much more common in people with dark skin, according to statistics.

Another cause that may not be too bothersome is pregnancy. During this time, your hormones are imbalanced which may lead to the discoloration of the different parts of your body.

#2. Safe and Common Causes

And of course, the appearance of the black line on nails may also indicate a less than a serious health problem. The most common one would be a nutritional deficiency. Many people attribute that black line on nail vitamin deficiency, specifically vitamin B12 and C.

Another common but considered safe cause is nail injury or trauma which may occur when you hit your nail on hard surfaces, or you have squished your fingernails in between doors, or it may also be due to a foreign body that has lodged underneath your nail.

Last but not the least, that line may also be a sign of fungal infection.

#3. More Serious Causes

And of course, those lines on the nail may also be an indication of serious health problems like heart diseases, vasculitis, liver cirrhosis or round worm infestation. It can also be a symptom of melanoma which can be malignant, so you better have it checked out ASAP.

How to Get Rid of Black Lines on Nails

But what if the black lines are not an indication of serious health problems? Well, if that is the case, you can easily get rid of those black lines. Don’t just conceal it with nail polish! Follow these tips instead.

#1. Change your diet

If the appearance of the black line is due to vitamin deficiency, the best thing that you can do on how to get rid of black lines on nails is to eat a balanced and healthy diet. It is recommended that you eat more of the foods that contain high amounts of the vitamin that you are deficient with.

With that in mind, you should eat more of healthy and nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, bell peppers, nuts, fruits, eggs, and fishes. In addition to that, you can also take supplements like zinc, iron, vitamin C, and B as the inadequacy of any of these vitamins may lead to discolored nails.

#2. Remove the foreign body under your nails

To know more about this process, watch this video:

Before you do that, make sure to disinfect both your hands and nails. Using a tweezer or other nail tools, slowly pull the object out of the nail. Once you have already removed it, wash your hands. If there is bleeding, apply a bandage to your finger.

In the event that the foreign body is lodged deep within your nails, it is recommended that you let a doctor remove it.

#3. Let it be

In the case that the line is caused by nail injury or trauma, the best thing that you can do is just to let it be. The line is just a blood clot, and oftentimes, it will go away on its own even if you will not do anything about it.

#4. Seek help from a doctor

If you think that the black line signifies a more serious condition, you should visit a doctor right away. In this way, your doctor can perform tests on you to determine if there’s something wrong and what it might be. When you visit the doctor early, you can address the problem right away and prevent it from getting worse.

Conclusion

The black line on your nail may mean nothing, or it can indicate a serious health problem. Because of this, it is best that you seek the help or advice of a medical practitioner so you can monitor your health and address any serious health problems that your nails may indicate right away.

But if the cause of the black line is not that serious, you can easily take care of your nails by following the tips on how to get rid of black lines on nails that we have mentioned above.

Did you like this article? Share it with your friends so you can help them know the causes and ways on how to get rid of black lines on nails too! You can also leave any suggestions or question that you may have in the comments section.