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What Causes Discolouration Of The Thumb Nail?

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Posted on Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Question: Half my right thumb nail is different color. I noticed that few days ago. All other fingers look normal and I don't have any known health problem. I already showed it to a dermatologist in person. He checked with a dermatoscope. But in the end he wasn't very sure about if it is melanonchyia. And told me to follow it without doing any biopsy. I am very worried and looking for a second opinion
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Longitudinal melanonychia. It is benign

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the image.
This is longitudinal melanonychia. A thin uniformly light brown pigmented band in nail is most commonly due to melanocyte overactivity in the matrix. It is benign and requires no intervention.
If it would have been thick, deep blue or black or had variegated colors like blue, black, red etc within the same band or if the pigment woud have extended on to the nail fold then I would have thought of acral melanoma. Not otherwise.

Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9610 Questions

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What Causes Discolouration Of The Thumb Nail?

Brief Answer: Longitudinal melanonychia. It is benign Detailed Answer: Hello. Thank you for writing to us I am dr.kakkar (dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have viewed the image. This is longitudinal melanonychia. A thin uniformly light brown pigmented band in nail is most commonly due to melanocyte overactivity in the matrix. It is benign and requires no intervention. If it would have been thick, deep blue or black or had variegated colors like blue, black, red etc within the same band or if the pigment woud have extended on to the nail fold then I would have thought of acral melanoma. Not otherwise. Regards