Longitudinal erythronychia
Longitudinal erythronychia (pronunciation: lon-ji-tood-n-l er-ith-ro-ni-ki-a) is a rare condition characterized by red streaks running longitudinally down the nail.
Etymology
The term "Longitudinal erythronychia" is derived from three Greek words: "longus" meaning long, "erythros" meaning red, and "onyx" meaning nail.
Definition
Longitudinal erythronychia is a condition that presents as a red (or brownish-red) longitudinal band on the nail plate. It can affect one or more nails and can be seen in both fingernails and toenails. The condition is usually benign, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, such as melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of longitudinal erythronychia is the appearance of a red or brownish-red streak running lengthwise down the nail. This streak may be accompanied by other changes in the nail, such as thickening or splitting. In some cases, the condition may cause discomfort or pain.
Causes
The exact cause of longitudinal erythronychia is unknown. However, it is thought to be related to an increase in blood flow to the nail bed, possibly due to inflammation or trauma. It can also be associated with certain systemic diseases, such as lupus or psoriasis, and certain types of cancer, including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of longitudinal erythronychia is typically made through a physical examination of the nail. In some cases, a biopsy may be performed to rule out more serious conditions.
Treatment
Treatment for longitudinal erythronychia is usually not necessary, as the condition is typically benign. However, if the red streak is caused by an underlying condition, treatment will focus on addressing that condition.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Longitudinal erythronychia
- Wikipedia's article - Longitudinal erythronychia
This MedicineGPT article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski