Dark Spot on Fingernail

Fingernails are a good way of determining the nature and lifestyle of a person. Just like it is hard to find a gardener without black crescents under his fingernails, it is equally difficult to point out a celebrity with chipped and dirty nails. Apart from providing the first glimpse to a person’s character, finger nails also helps in determining any kind of diseases and disorders in the body. In fact, various inherent problems in the body may surface in the form of fingernail discoloration or disfiguration. These little indicators may sometimes even appear in the form of a dark spot. Nevertheless, they should not be overlooked. Learn what leads to spots on fingernails and what steps should be followed for preventing dark spotted finger nails.

Image: Thirteen Of Clubs@flickr

Reasons for Dark Spots on Fingernails

Dark fingernails may be symptomatic of a Vitamin B12 deficiency or may indicate disorders like anemia.
Half white nails, with dark spots, especially on the tip, may be indicative of kidney diseases.
Sometimes, dark spots may also indicate skin cancer called melanoma. In case the spot bleeds into the cuticle, immediate medical supervision may be required.
Pitted brown spots in fingernails may indicate a skin and joint disorder called psoriasis.
Thin black lines on the nail often indicate a heart disease.
Nails that assume a deep blue color may be indicative of a pulmonary obstruction such as asthma or emphysema.
Reddish-brown spots on the nail indicate a deficiency of folic acid, protein or vitamin C in the body.

Preventing Dark Spotted Finger Nails

Never bite your fingernails and if possible, keep them short.
In case your nails are long, file them into a square shape rather than an oval or round shape in order to prevent easy breakage.
Wash your hands regularly and protect them from cuts and scrapes, especially while doing gardening, cleaning, doing dishes, etc.
Wear rubber gloves if your hands frequently come in touch with water.
Consume lots of protein, calcium, and vitamin B. Make sure to eat foods like meats, eggs, dairy products and whole grains, in large quantities.
Take a multi-vitamin tablet regularly.
Moisturize your hands regularly before going to bed and use a cuticle cream.
Avoid wearing nail varnish everyday, as it hampers nail breathing and also makes mails turn yellow.
Never use your nails as tools, as they can get severely damaged in the process.

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