Suggest Remedy For Reddish Color On The Fingernails

Posted on Mon, 18 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 18 Jan 2016 Answered on

Mon, 15 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have black verticle lines and my fingernails are a sort of reddish color. I have not been too active but I am not obese. My heart rate is between 70-85. Why do I have the reddish color and black lines on mu fingernails. The black lines are on the thumb

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Melanonychia

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photograph.
These black lines are called as melanonychia.
It's just an aberrant pigmentation of nails.
There is no disease associated with this.
Take vitamin C supplementation. You can take a Vitamin C 500 mg tablet once a day.
This should help you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (11 hours later)

So how do you cure this, like make the lines disappear? Also mine is only a single nail (my thumb) and there is some skin peeling near the nail, so are you sure it isn't anything else. Also why are my fingernail nails a reddish color. My toenails are fine.
I should Also mention, I get a lot of vitamin c in my diet.

Also can subungul melanoma occur in teenagers like ages 14 or 15

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not melanoma

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It's just pigmentation.
Don't worry subungual melanoma presents totally differently.
It's melanonychia.
I treat such cases with Vitamin C and tranexemic acid containing tablets like melano tx.

These are safe and effective. You can try this in consultation with your doctor.

Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (9 hours later)

Is there any natural cures. If I leave it like this will it be fine

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It will recover on its own

Detailed Answer:
Hello
It will subside even if you leave it like that.
It might take 6 months for recovery.
If you use Vitamin C response will be faster.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar