LeukonychieL60.8

Polyaetiological symptom with punctate, transverse or longitudinal or completely homogeneous total whitening of the nail plate (leading symptom: nail, white), which may affect one or more nails.

Clinical Classification:

• Leukonychia punctata (thepunctate leukonychia often occurs physiologically in children).
• Fielded leukonychia (e.g. in white superficial onychomycosis)
• Longitudinally striated leukonychia striata (in certain genodermatoses)
• transversely striated band-shaped leukonychia ( Meess' transverse bands; Muehrcke's bands, half- and half-nails; )
• total leukonychia (Terry nails); rarely in liver cirrhosis, hypalbuminemia or idiopathic (see also white nails).
• Very occasionally, families with hereditary leukonychia (NDNC3; OMIM 58 151600; ) have been described.

Probably caused by parakeratotic keratinization in the context of irritation in the cuticular area, but also occurring in fungal infections as Leuconychia mycotica. Due to the incorrect arrangement of the keratin fibrils, the nail plate loses its translucency and appears whitish-opaque.

Avoid the noxious agent in the area of the cuticle. Causal therapy for tinea unguium. S.a.u. Leukonychia punctata, Leukonychia striata, Leukonychia totalis.

1. Roh M et al (2007) A case of chromonychia with hyperbilirubinemia. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 21: 127-128