Dermatologic clinics
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Although many nail disorders have been associated with drug intake, most reports are anecdotal. Most nail changes caused by drugs are the outcome of acute toxicity to the nail epithelia; nail symptoms depend on which nail structure is damaged. ⋯ Drug-induced nail abnormalities are usually transitory and disappear with drug withdrawal, but sometimes persist over time. This article reviews drugs that have been consistently associated with nail abnormalities.
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Nail pigmentation is defined by the presence of melanin in the nail plate. It most frequently has the appearance of a longitudinal pigmented band, called longitudinal mel-anonychia (LM). ⋯ The aim of this article is to help distinguish those types of melanonychia that are worrisome and should lead to biopsy from those that are reasonably reassuring and need only be followed clinically. Histology, differential diagnosis, and biopsy techniques also are considered.
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Although abnormalities of the nails have been reported in different systemic disorders,most of these abnormalities are nonspecific. This article reports and discusses only those nail signs that provide the clinician with clues for the diagnosis of systemic disorders.