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What Causes Longitudinal Melanonychia?

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Posted on Wed, 21 Jun 2017
Question: I have a thin black line in my right thumbnail. And a slight dent in the middle of my nail where the black line is. Should i be concerned

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Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (45 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Longitudinal melanonychia and its causes

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at HealthcareMagic
I have reviewed the attached photograph and you seem to be having longitudinal melanonychia.
It has various causes. The most common cause of longitudinal melanonychia is racial variation. It is a common variant in dark skinned people while in white people it requires thorough assessment.
It can be due subungual naevus, certain drugs , skin diseases like lichen planus, onychomycosis, trauma, skin tumours like squamous cell carcinoma in situ and rarely malignant melanoma.
I would recommend you to consult a doctor and go for dermoscopic examination of the nail and for biopsy if required.
Regards
Dr Asmeet
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. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 4993 Questions

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What Causes Longitudinal Melanonychia?

Brief Answer: Longitudinal melanonychia and its causes Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for being at HealthcareMagic I have reviewed the attached photograph and you seem to be having longitudinal melanonychia. It has various causes. The most common cause of longitudinal melanonychia is racial variation. It is a common variant in dark skinned people while in white people it requires thorough assessment. It can be due subungual naevus, certain drugs , skin diseases like lichen planus, onychomycosis, trauma, skin tumours like squamous cell carcinoma in situ and rarely malignant melanoma. I would recommend you to consult a doctor and go for dermoscopic examination of the nail and for biopsy if required. Regards Dr Asmeet