What is the Definition of Melanonychia?

What is melanonychia? The word Melanonychia is derived from two Greek words. The first, ‘melas’ which basically means black or brown color and the second, ‘onyx’ which means nail. When a patient’s nail plate is discolored to a brown-black color, it is known as melanonychia. The world class medical experts at our Abu Dhabi medical center note that this can take place in one nail or multiple nails. It can take place in fingers or in toenails.

What is Melanonychia?

In a nutshell, melanonychia is the process when black-brown discoloration appears on nails. This happens because of an increase in melanin. Now, melanonychia is caused in people with dark skin, which is natural. But it also happens due to some health-related issues. Our nail plate is usually nearly transparent due to the lack of melanin. Melanin is the substance in our bodies which is responsible for our skin’s pigmentation. But sometimes, an increase in melanin is the reason behind the nail discoloration, and eventually to melanonychia.

This condition has been observed affecting individuals with darker skin tones. And according to one study, 77% of African Americans experience this condition at any point in their lives. But it’s not limited to just one ethnicity, it can affect people of ANY ethnic background.

What are the different Types of Melanonychia?

There are 3 most common types of melanonychia. So let’s discuss them in detail…

  •         Longitudinal Melanonychia
  •         Transversal Melanonychia
  •         Total Melanonychia

Longitudinal Melanonychia

This is the most common form of melanonychia. And the difference between Longitudinal Melanonychia and the other two kinds, Transversal Melanonychia and Total Melanonychia is that the latter two seldom develop into a full-blown condition. It happens when our body stores melanin inside the nail plate. We’ve already discussed that melanin is the substance in our skin that is responsible for pigmentation. Longitudinal Melanonychia takes place when something activates the melanocytes, the region where the nails starts to grow.

Transversal Melanonychia

This is another form of this condition which is caused by drugs. On the nail(s), it looks like a band of black or brown discoloration along the width of our nail(s).

Total Melanonychia

This is also knowns as diffuse melanonychia. Total melanonychia affects the entire nail and is caused by diseases. However, total melanonychia is also known to have been caused by medication, as a side effect to any mediation.    

What causes Melanonychia?

There are two chief processes which are responsible for melanonychia causes and they are melanocytic hyperplasia and melanocytic activation. Let’s explore both these processes in detail…

Melanocytic Hyperplasia

Melanocytic hyperplasia is also known as melanocytic proliferation. This means an increase in the melanin pigment caused by an increase in the number of melanocytes. Nail nevus matrix nevus and constitutional nail pigmentation are some of the most common appearances of melanocytic hyperplasia. Constitutional nail pigmentation affects people with Black, Hispanic, Middle-Eastern and even Asian ethnicities.

One of the many causes of melanonychia causes is pregnancy as it may affect one or several fingernails or even toenails. Fungal infections also cause this condition as some fungi are known to develop melanin that deposits inside the nail plate. This is known to take place in males than in females. It affects toenails rather than fingernails. Individuals with a weak immune system are more at risk of melanonychia as bacterial infections can cause this condition easily. Several forms of viral infections have also known to cause this condition, especially HIV patients. Various skin conditions are also known to have caused melanonychia. But inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and amyloidosis are the chief causes.

One of the leading melanonychia causes are the constant nail biting, nail chewing, nail pulling. Plus, people will systemic diseases like Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome are known to have been affected by this condition in several fingernails and toenails. Drugs certainly aid in causing this condition in several nails. Patients seeking chemotherapy or people who have undergone several X-rays may also be affected by this condition.  

How is Melanonychia Diagnosed?

There are more than just one way of diagnosing melanonychia. First off, dermoscopy can aid in diagnosing this condition, as well as striking off other conditions like hematoma. The doctor examines your skin closely with a magnifying object known as a dermatoscope. The doctor might also try diagnosing melanonychia by perform a punch biopsy. The doctor will remove a tiny, circular piece of the affected tissue while inspecting under a microscope.

What are the Complications of Melanonychia?

These complications of melanonychia are severely tied to the cause. Now they can include metastasis. This is where the malignancy makes its way to other parts of the body. Nail dystrophy is also one complication where nails are deformed, become thick and the person might experience immense pain.

What are the Melanonychia Treatments?

It’s simple. The melanonychia treatment will always be subject to the causes of whatever the symptom is. These can be the treatment of systemic conditions and the constant changing of medications. Taking appropriate steps to counter further trauma, the treatment of infections and even making changes to a person’s diet to treat nutritional deficiencies. But if melanonychia affects a person due to subungual melanoma, then melanonychia treatment may require surgical procedure to remove the growth. However, in some extreme cases, there’s always the risk of removing the finger or toe (amputation) if removing the growth isn’t possible.

Laser therapy is an advanced and effective form of treatment. It helps target the affected region(s) with concentrated laser light beams. It has known to reduce discoloring. This is required when the patient wants quick and effective respite or treatment. It may require more than just one session, but patients have seen improvement in the color of their nails after a few sessions. Results may vary due to the extent and cause.

Cryotherapy is also one of the most effective ways of treating this condition. Doctors apply extreme cold in the affected areas to eliminate abnormal tissue. Again, this may require a few sessions to completely destroy the affected region.

Vitamin E is also prescribed by medical professionals as a means to treat melanonychia. Vitamin E is an antioxidant which protects our cells from deterioration and damage. It is deemed essential by medical and health experts to improve and heal nail health. This treatment might take some months as the healing process is gradual.

So, let the medical experts decide the extent of your melanonychia treatment, let them diagnose so they may suggest a treatment. When it comes to Dermatology in Abu Dhabi, We’re the best. Visit our doctors if you’re experiencing any symptoms.

Tips on how to live with Melanonychia?

For a better quality of life, and especially living with melanonychia requires adopting a healthy lifestyle and nail health. It will prevent complications and give you a quality life. So, what to do? Try moisturizing your nails on a daily basis. It protects them from trauma. Eat healthy and maintain that healthy diet in the long run. Avoid processed foods and harsh chemicals. It will improve the nail health.

Look, melanonychia can happen to anyone, especially to people with darker skin tones. It’s a reality. One must accept it. Diagnosing it early and an effective treatment plan are the best ways to overcome it. If you experience any symptoms, contact us at the earliest.