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
Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Codes
ICD10CM:
L60.8 – Other nail disorders
SNOMEDCT:
299667005 – Stained nail
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:
- Yellow nail syndrome – In yellow nail syndrome, typically all nails have yellow discoloration, there is increased transverse curvature, and the nail does not grow or it grows much slower than normal. There is also associated lymphedema and pulmonary abnormalities.
- Onychomycosis
- Psoriasis
- Long-term tetracycline therapy
- Scopulariopsis infection
- Amyloidosis
- Diabetes
- Jaundice
- Exogenous pigment
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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
Last Updated:11/07/2019
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Tobacco staining of nails - Nail and Distal Digit