Why Do Black Vertical Lines Appear on Nails? What Health Problems Can Nail Colors Indicate?

Hello. We are Merry Plastic Surgery Clinic, pursuing natural and beautiful changes.

There is a saying, “Let us not forget the preciousness of what we are used to.”

This phrase is used in many different situations, but it feels especially fitting when it comes to health.

Our bodies often send small signals when something is wrong.

Sometimes, even a seemingly unrelated area may send warning signs about another organ, but there are many cases where people dismiss them as unimportant and later regret it only after the condition has worsened.

There are many parts of the body that can help us check our health.

Among them, the ears, soles of the feet, and palms are representative areas for health checks.

In addition, it is also possible to assess health status by the shape and color of the nails.

Today, we will look at nail health problems by color, along with the reasons for black vertical lines on nails.

Why do vertical lines appear on nails?

The main reasons for vertical lines on nails include immunity, nutrition, and blood circulation.

First, when your condition is poor due to insomnia, stress, or overwork, and your immune system is weakened, vertical lines may appear on the nails.

In severe cases, the white half-moon shape near the cuticle may also disappear, so caution is needed.

Nutritional imbalance can also be a reason vertical lines form on the nails.

Nails and hair are made of keratin.

Protein is essential for the synthesis of this keratin.

If you are on an excessive diet or not getting enough nutrients in your daily life, keratin synthesis may not proceed smoothly, which is said to be one reason vertical lines appear on the nails.

Blood circulation can also be a problem.

If blood circulation is not functioning properly, vertical lines may appear on nails in the fingers and toes, which are located at the extremities.

That is why people who usually have symptoms such as cold hands and feet may be especially likely to develop vertical lines on their nails.

Health problems by nail color

✅ Black vertical lines on nails: Among health problems by nail color, the reason for black vertical lines on nails is concerning.

This may raise suspicion of melanoma.

Because melanoma has a high mortality rate among malignant skin tumors, if you suspect that black vertical lines on your nails are the reason, we recommend visiting a clinic quickly.

✅ Yellow: If the nails overall have turned yellow, fungi, diabetes, and other causes may be responsible.

If the nail tip curls inward and the nail thickness becomes thin, we recommend treatment for fungal infections or athlete’s foot fungus.

✅ Green: It is said that when diabetes develops, the nails may change color from yellow to green.

The main cause is said to be increased bacterial growth due to weakened immunity.

✅ White: If not only the half-moon area near the cuticle but also the rest of the nail turns white and there is no healthy color showing through, this may indicate a problem with the liver.

Liver disease is characterized by white nails and yellow discoloration of the eyes and fingers.

✅ Blue, purple: If the nails, fingertips, and toes look bluish, the cause may be insufficient oxygen supply.

Such symptoms can also appear when blood circulation is poor due to pneumonia, bronchitis, heart disease, and similar conditions.

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