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Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit

Contributors: Shari Lipner MD, PhD, Bertrand Richert MD, Robert Baran MD, Susan Burgin MD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Heavy smokers can present with a yellow or chestnut brown hue on the nail plate of the first 3 digits that extends along the ulnar lateral nail fold and adjacent pulp of the first 2 digits and the radial nail fold of the third finger.

Related topic: Nicotine dependence

Codes

ICD10CM:
L60.8 – Other nail disorders

SNOMEDCT:
299667005 – Stained nail

Look For

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Diagnostic Pearls

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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

Other causes of nail plate staining:

Best Tests

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Management Pearls

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Therapy

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References

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Last Reviewed:07/24/2019
Last Updated:11/07/2019
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Patient Information for Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit
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Contributors: Medical staff writer

Overview

Your fingernails and toenails can tell much about your health condition. Long-term heavy smoking and use of other tobacco products can cause yellow-brown staining of fingers and fingernails.

Who’s At Risk

Long-term heavy smokers are most at risk for developing staining of the nails. Tobacco-stained nails, together with clubbing of fingers, are often predictors of lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disorders, and other cancers.

Signs & Symptoms

Tar will stain nails and fingers a yellow-brown or orange color, particularly the first three fingers that hold the cigarette.

Self-Care Guidelines

Get help quitting smoking. There are many resources and support groups to help you succeed.

When to Seek Medical Care

Discoloration of fingernails or toenails can be a sign of serious illness. Contact your doctor to rule out malignancy, heart, lung, and skin disease.

Contact your health care professional to begin or continue the process of quitting smoking and tobacco use.

Treatments

Your health care provider will assist you in locating resources to help you quit smoking, such as counseling, behavior modification, lifestyle changes, support groups, nicotine therapy, and related medications.

Once you stop smoking, the discolored nails may grow out and eventually recover a healthy color.
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Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit
A medical illustration showing key findings of Tobacco staining of nails : Cigarette smoking, Fingernails
Clinical image of Tobacco staining of nails - imageId=1665608. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Yellow-brown staining of the distal part of the nail plate. Onychorrhexis is also apparent.'
Yellow-brown staining of the distal part of the nail plate. Onychorrhexis is also apparent.
Copyright © 2023 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.