title: 'Fade out' photochromonychia.
abstract: Two English women are described who developed chestnut-brown pigmentation of the distal part of the finger- and thumb-nail plates whilst using 'over the counter' topical hydroquinone depigmenting creams. In both individuals there was marked deepening of the pigmentation during periods of intense sun exposure. Withdrawal or protection of the nails from the hydroquinone resulted in resolution of the pigmentation. Hydroquinone staining of the nails is not well recognized and this report confirms a previous suggestion of a relationship between the intensity of the pigmentation and light exposure.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Burnley General Hospital, Lancashire, UK.
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Coulson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006873:Hydroquinones / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D009824:Ointments; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D006873:Hydroquinones; D009824:Ointments; C031927:hydroquinone