What is the brown vertical streak in my thumbnail?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have noticed this very pale light brown vertical streak in my thumbnail about a week ago. I am very worried after reading online about something called longitudinal melanoma. I am 27 years old female.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your case. Well, longitudinal melanoma is one of the causes of brown streaks. Other causes include multivitamin deficiency including zinc. These are micronutrient and not stored in the body and need a continuous replacement. Other causes include normal variation. Drugs like Doxycycline and many others can cause it, and lichen planus too. To rule out lichen planus, I need to see your all 20 nails and buccal mucosa.

It is longitudinal melanonychia. Melanoma is a malignancy and it does not look to be the cause in your case. Take capsule Perfectil plus (multivitamins) for three months. In my clinical opinion, this is a normal variation (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Melanoma is dark and irregular in appearance. Just stay relaxed. Nothing to worry about this.

Thank you.

For more information consult a dermatologist online.