Leukonychia
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219788259
2008-06-16T21:44:36Z
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/* Leukonychia Striata or Transverse Leukonychia */
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| Name = {{PAGENAME}}
| Image = Leukonychia.jpg
| Caption = Leukonychia
| DiseasesDB = 14140
| ICD10 = {{ICD10|L|60|8|l|60}}, {{ICD10|Q|84|4|q|80}}
| ICD9 = {{ICD9|703.8}}, {{ICD9|757.5}}
| ICDO =
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'''Leukonychia''' (or '''Leuconychia''') is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on [[nail (anatomy)|nails]]. It is derived from the Greek words ''Leuko'' '''white''' and ''Onyx'' '''nail'''. The most common cause is injury to the base of the nail (the matrix) where the nail is formed.
==Types of Leukonychia==
===Leukonychia Totalis===
This condition is a whitening of the entire nail. This may be due to hypoalbuminaemia (low albumin), which is caused by the nephrotic syndrome, (a form of kidney failure), liver failure, protein malabsorption and protein-losing enteropathies. A [[Genetics|genetic]] condition, and a side effect of [[sulphonamides]], a family of [[antibiotics]] can also cause this appearance.<ref>[http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/35571/image.htm DermIS - Leukonychia Totalis (image)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/35570/diagnose.htm Leukonychia Totalis information]</ref>
===Leukonychia Partialis===
This condition is whitening of parts of the nail. There are several types of this condition.
====Leukonychia Striata or Transverse Leukonychia====
This is a whitening or discoloration of the nail in bands or "stria". It may be caused by [[cirrhosis]], [[chemotherapy]],<ref>[http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/333/2/100 New England Journal of Medicine: Transverse Leukonychia]</ref> or physical injury to the nail matrix. (e.g. excessive nail "tapping" or slamming in a car door).<ref>[http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/467074 Medscape Today: Traumatic Transverse Leukonychia]</ref><ref>[http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/35559/image.htm DermIS - Leukonychia Striata (image)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://dermis.multimedica.de/dermisroot/en/35556/diagnose.htm Leukonychia Striata information]</ref>
This condition looks similar to [[Mee's lines]], a condition caused by [[Arsenic]], [[Lead]], or other [[Heavy_metals|heavy metal]] poisoning.
===='True' Leukonychia====
This is the most common form of Leukonychia, small white spots on the nails. Picking and biting of the nails are a prominent cause in young children and nail biters.
In most cases, when white spots appear on a single or a couple of fingers or toes, the most common cause is injury to the base (matrix) of the nail. When this is the case, white spots disappear after around eight months, which is the amount of time necessary for nails to regrow completely.<ref>[http://www.thenailgeek.com/articles/6245-my-big-fat-greek-leukonychia.html The Nail Geek: My Big Fat Greek Leukonychia]</ref>
White spots showing up on all or nearly all nails for longer periods of time (months and years) can be due to one of several reasons. One common explanation is [[zinc deficiency]].<ref>[http://www.webmd.com/content/article/42/1689_50294.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348 What Are These White Spots?]</ref>
==Diagnosis and treatment==
A doctor will take a thorough [[medical history]], and may test [[liver]] and [[kidney]] function. If a [[zinc deficiency]] is identified, a diet rich in zinc or zinc supplements may be administered.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
* [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_035.html What causes white spots on your fingernails?] at [[The Straight Dope]]
* {{GPnotebook|-234487799}}
* {{DermAtlas|129}}
<!--Leukonychia is not actually a "disease," but it's unclear where else to categorize this article.-->
{{Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue}}
{{Congenital malformations and deformations of integument}}
[[Category:Nail diseases]]
[[es:Leuconiquia]]