Melanonychia

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Melanonychia is a black or brown pigmentation of the normal nail plate, and may be present as a normal finding on many digits in black patients, as a result of trauma, systemic disease, or medications, or as a post-inflammatory event from such localized events as lichen planus or fixed drug eruption.^[1]^[2]

Classification

There are two types of melanonychia, transverse and longitudinal.

Differentiating melanonychia from other Diseases

Longitudinal melanonychia may be a sign of subungual melanoma (Acral lentiginous melanoma), although there are other diagnosis such as:

References

↑ Odom, Richard B.; Davidsohn, Israel; James, William D.; Henry, John Bernard; Berger, Timothy G.; Clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods; Dirk M. Elston (2006). Andrews’ diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.
↑ Freedberg, Irwin M.; Fitzpatrick, Thomas B. (2003). Fitzpatrick’s dermatology in general medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.

[isbn0-7216-2921-0-1] Odom, Richard B.; Davidsohn, Israel; James, William D.; Henry, John Bernard; Berger, Timothy G.; Clinical diagnosis by laboratory methods; Dirk M. Elston (2006). Andrews’ diseases of the skin: clinical dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 0-7216-2921-0.

[isbn0-07-138076-0-2] Freedberg, Irwin M.; Fitzpatrick, Thomas B. (2003). Fitzpatrick’s dermatology in general medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill, Medical Pub. Division. ISBN 0-07-138076-0.

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