Melanonychia
(Redirected from Longitudinal melanonychia)
Melanonychia is a medical condition characterized by a brown to black discoloration of a nail. This discoloration is caused by an increased amount of melanin in the nail. Melanonychia can affect both fingernails and toenails, and can occur at any age.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Melanonychia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Trauma to the nail
- Infections, such as fungal infections
- Certain medications
- Certain diseases, such as HIV or Addison's disease
- Melanoma, a type of skin cancer
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The main symptom of melanonychia is a brown to black discoloration of one or more nails. This discoloration may be uniform or irregular, and may affect the entire nail or only a portion of it. In some cases, the affected nail may also become thickened or distorted.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of melanonychia typically involves a thorough examination of the affected nail and a review of the patient's medical history. In some cases, a biopsy of the nail may be necessary to rule out melanoma.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for melanonychia depends on the underlying cause. If the discoloration is caused by a medication, for example, discontinuing the medication may resolve the condition. If the discoloration is caused by a disease, treating the disease may also resolve the melanonychia. In cases where melanonychia is caused by melanoma, treatment may involve surgery to remove the affected nail and underlying tissue.
See also[edit | edit source]
Melanonychia Resources | ||
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