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Developed A Brown Pigmentation Line Down The Nail Of Finger. Suggested For Biopsy. Should I Be Concerned?

Posted on Wed, 17 Jul 2013

Question: My wife is African American and recently developed a brown pigmentation line down the nail of her left ring finger. She is 40 years old. She recently went to see a dermatologist who suggested that she get a biopsy. Should I be at all anxious and concern about the prospect of subungal melanoma?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for the query.
Pigmentation of nail or melanonychia is one of the marker or melanoma.
However similar pigmentation can be seen in lichen planus and even normally.
I would like to know is there a pigmentation of the nail fold also ?
Dont get feared melanoma is not that common.
I would like to see a photograph of the lesion. This will help me in giving a closer diagnosis.
You have a facility to upload photograph on right side of query page. Kindly utilize that.
Let me know if you have any other doubt.
Waiting for your response.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (42 hours later)

I attached a photo of her eating an XXXXXXX with the left ring finger being visible. Hopefully you've received the image.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (9 hours later)

Hello,
Thanks for the image.
I can see that darkening is seen only in nail and the skin is not involved.
Dont worry, for now nothing is to be done.
Just observe it for a month to see if there is any change or extension of the pigmentation.
If it remains stable there is nothing to worry.
Let me know if you have any other doubt.
Thank you

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