Dark-colored streaks in toenails are common in the United States, especially amongst people with darker skin toes, particularly in African-Americans. For the most part, these streaks usually represent non-serious conditions. However, especially in fair-skinned people, the presence of these streaks could represent a deadly cancer. This article will discuss the common causes or dark streaks in toenails, and what condition is cause for alarm.
Before beginning, the reader should be aware while reading this article that the information contained is not meant to provide tailored medical advice specific for one's own medical condition, but is meant as a general discussion on this health topic. Any specific questions or concerns for the conditions described in this article should be directed to one's own general physician or specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
The toenail is a dense tissue made of compressed keratin. The nail plate itself begins in the nail matrix, which is essentially the root of the nail.
