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Onychophagia‐Induced Longitudinal Melanonychia
Author(s) -
Anolik Rachel B.,
Shah Kara,
Rubin Adam I.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
pediatric dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.542
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1525-1470
pISSN - 0736-8046
DOI - 10.1111/j.1525-1470.2011.01496.x
Subject(s) - medicine , dermatology , nail (fastener) , girl , biology , genetics , materials science , metallurgy
An otherwise‐healthy 13‐year‐old girl with previously normal nails developed longitudinal pigmented bands on multiple fingernails. Physical examination revealed faintly pigmented bands on multiple fingernails and on the left fifth toenail. We believed that the cause of the pigmented bands was onychophagia‐induced longitudinal melanonychia, a rare phenomenon, which emphasizes the need for dermatologists to question patients with melanonychia about their nail biting habits because they may not be forthcoming with this information.