A black stripe on your fingernail may be a sign of a severe disease – make sure to see your doctor at once!
It is rather widely known that if a birthmark changes in size, volume, color or other aspects, a doctor must be seen at once. A dermatologist can find out the nature of the changes, and can decide whether a biopsy is necessary. Delaying examination may be a fatal mistake if the changes are caused because of skin cancer.
Some people examine their birthmarks regularly, but very few of us know that examining fingernails is just as important. The reason for this is that fingernails grow right from the skin, and their alterations can indicate severe diseases. Tropical or color changes of the nails are very important telltale signs. Melanoma localizing in the fingernails is more prevalent in Afro-American groups, but is not rare among other population groups either.
What are the symptoms that we should pay attention to? The video below presents in detail those changes that need monitoring.