Purple line on toe nails

[sarahflute]

I have a dark purple line one of my toe nails and another toe nail that is about half purple which started out with having a thin line. I want to know why my toe nails are turning color and how to stop it??

[sarahflute]

On one nail the lines are vertical and run the length of the nail and on the other nail it started with a line but now half of the nail is solid dark purple.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
These dark lines can be due to can be due to longitudinal melanonychia(presence of a pigmented stripe, usually brown or black, along the length of the nail bed in darker-skinned individuals,splinter hemorrhages or Beau’s lines(they are horizontal lines of darkened cells and depression).Without examination, it is difficult confirming a diagnosis and so I would suggest a dermatologist’s evaluation.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.