title: Tips for diagnosis and treatment of nail pigmentation with practical algorithm.
abstract: The observation of a black-brown pigmentation of the nail is often alarming for the patient and for the clinician, as they are aware that it can be a possible clinical manifestation of melanoma of the nail apparatus. Luckily, however, nail melanoma is a much less frequent cause of brown-black nail color than other melanocytic and nonmelanocytic pigmentations, which include subungual hematoma, exogenous pigmentations, and melanonychia due to benign conditions. A correct clinical history and careful examination help the clinician to distinguish the different conditions and to decide the correct management of melanonychia both in children and in adults.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, Bologna 40138, Italy. Electronic address: biancamaria.piraccini@unibo.it.
authors.forename: Bianca Maria
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Piraccini
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, Bologna 40138, Italy.
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dika
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 1, Bologna 40138, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Alessandro
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Fanti
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D046169:Dermoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000473:pathology*; D010859:Pigmentation Disorders / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins
keywords: Dermoscopy; Melanocytes; Melanoma; Melanonychia; Nail pigmentation; Nevus