As such, having an early biopsy of your nails when you notice melanonychia is one of the best ways for early diagnosis.If you find any suspicious dark bands on your nails, go to a doctor and request for a proper diagnosis – biopsy too, if possible, so that you can get your peace of mind or early treatments where required. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The Voltarol gel range contains diclofenac diethylammonium, and includes Voltarol Emulgel P 1% w/w Gel and Voltarol Emulgel Extra Strength 2% w/w Gel. The deposition of melanin in the nail plate can … Melanonychia is a condition of either the fingernails or the toenails. For medications that you cannot stop taking, melanonychia will just be a side effect for you to get used to. Research has found that performing a biopsy on most melanonychia is the best way to get an earlier diagnosis.© 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. This problem requires a complete removal of the tumor which sometimes includes amputating the whole toe or finger. The decolorization is usually in a stripe that starts at the bottom of your nail bed and continues to the top. As your nail grows, it causes the stripe of brown or black to appear on your nail. Other treatment options depend on the cause and may include:If your melanonychia is malignant or cancerous, then the tumor or cancerous area must be completely removed. Cancer of the nail is challenging to catch in the early stages because of its similarities to the benign causes of melanonychia. However, remember that this condition does not tend to go away on its own. Are you a nail-biter? This means that you may need to have the entire piece of nail removed. Melanin is deposited into the growing nail when melanocytes are activated, resulting in a pigmented band — this is longitudinal melanonychia.. The nail plate is a hard, translucent structure made of keratin.It is not normally pigmented. Melanonychia on Nails: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment. If it’s benign and non-cancerous, you don’t need to worry about it. After these two steps, your doctor may also perform aPossible complications of melanonychia include nail cancer, bleeding under the nail, splitting of your nail, and deformity of your nail. The outlook for most causes of benign melanonychia is good and there is no treatment required. These deposits are usually grouped together. What causes melanonychia?

No matter what the cause may be, you should always have a doctor check any melanonychia. If you wish to leave the … These melanin deposits are caused by two primary processes. ©2018 GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare This website is intended for residents of Ireland only.

What are your excuses for your nail-biting habits? A sudden color change in your fingernails or your toenails.Coincidentally, melanonychia refers to a condition where your nails are discolored to a brown or black color.

Always read the label / leaflet. What Causes Melanonychia?

Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dominguez-Cherit J, Roldan-Marin R, Pichardo-Velazquez P, et al. The nail biopsy can also cause nail deformity because it removes a portion of the nail.The outlook for most benign melanonychia is good, and in most cases, does not require treatment. Melanonychia is a condition of either the fingernails or the toenails. Cancer of the … It can be the sign of a more serious illness, which is why getting a proper diagnosis is essential. The may mean that you’ll lose all or part of your nail. Melanin is a brown colored pigment. It may be in one nail or several. If you suspect that your nails’ condition might be more than just a simple case of nail melanonychia, visit a doctor immediately.Your doctor will most likely take a nail sample from your affected areas. The signs of possible nail melanoma are:Besides looking for signs of a possible melanoma, your doctor will combine findings from both the dermoscopy and the physical exam to determine the type and cause of your melanonychia. Melanonychia is when you have brown or black lines on your nails. You might also know this condition as melanonychia striata or longitudinal melanonychia.When our nails are in a natural, healthy state, it’s supposed to be translucent and not pigmented at all. Similarly, you should look out for irregular and granular brown pigmentations. You are now leaving the Voltarol site and moving to an external website independently operated and not managed by GSK. Your doctor will look primarily for signs that your melanonychia may be malignant. In some cases, the finger or toe that has the tumor may have to be amputated.A diagnosis of melanonychia is reached after a series of diagnostic exams and tests. J Am Acad Dermatol . Melanonychia is caused when the pigment cells, called melanocytes, deposit melanin into the nail. All rights reserved.

If your melanonychia is caused by medication, your doctor may change your medication or have you stop taking it for a time, if that is possible. All rights reserved. These processes have different causes.Other causes of melanonychia beyond the two primary types may include:The treatment for melanonychia varies depending on the cause. Do not use on children … Identifying muscle pain can be the first step to treating the problem and Voltarol products can help.