A light brown vertical stripe on the fingernail of the index finger
Jun 01, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wan
Introduction
A light brown vertical streak on the fingernail may be caused by trauma, onychomycosis (fungal nail infection), or melanocytic nevus of the nail (nail matrix nevus), and treatment should be targeted according to the specific underlying cause. Besides these relatively common causes, other possible reasons include nail dystrophy, subungual hemorrhage, and subungual melanoma. If any discomfort or symptoms occur, prompt medical evaluation is recommended to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment, avoiding delays in managing the condition.
A light brown vertical stripe on the fingernail of the index finger may be caused by trauma, onychomycosis, or melanocytic nail nevus, among other reasons. Treatment should be targeted according to the specific cause. Details are as follows:
1. Trauma
When the fingernail of the index finger suffers trauma, it may damage capillaries in the nail bed, leading to blood accumulation. This can result in a localized brown vertical stripe. Symptoms may be relieved with warm or cold compresses.
2. Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is a fungal skin infection. When the fingernail of the index finger is infected by fungi, the normal structure of the nail plate is disrupted, causing the aforementioned changes. Topical antifungal medications such as amorolfine hydrochloride solution or ciclopirox cream, used under medical guidance, may help alleviate symptoms.
3. Melanocytic Nail Nevus
A melanocytic nail nevus is a pigmented mole located beneath the nail and is considered a benign tumor. However, it carries a certain risk of malignant transformation. Clinically, it typically presents as vertically aligned lines that are black, light brown, or coffee-colored. Surgical excision is a common treatment option.
Besides the above relatively common causes, other conditions such as nail dystrophy, subungual hemorrhage, or subungual melanoma could also be responsible. If any discomfort or abnormal symptoms occur, prompt medical evaluation and timely treatment are essential to avoid disease progression.
