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I have a faint line on my finger. What is it?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a faint line on my finger from past ten days. I am attaching a picture of the same. What is it?

Please help.

Answered by Dr. Suvash Sahu

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your concern and examined your picture (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

There is nothing to worry, it is a single nail melanonychia. Nothing actively needs to be done.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for your reply.

Will melanonychia become cancerous later? I have got a few more faint lines in the same finger. It had a sudden onset ten days back. Will I get more lines like this? I am worried. What is the cause of this?

Please help.

Answered by Dr. Suvash Sahu

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

The causes of longitudinal melanonychia are many, it can be racial, inflammatory nail disorder like lichen planus, drugs like Zidovudine (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor), Addison's disease, trauma, etc. A single band may represent nail matrix nevus. But in your case, it may be traumatic or inflammatory nail disease, so nothing seems to be worrying.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for replying.

Can I get rid of this? Should I check it often for any changes?

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Suvash Sahu

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, you should check for any sudden change in color, size, or any abnormal growth. If it is due to any inflammatory or traumatic causes, it will resolve in a few months.

Thanks and regards.

Answered byDr. Suvash Sahu

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At May 11, 2017
Reviewed AtOctober 25, 2024

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