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Review
. 2024 Sep;91(3):480-489.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2024.04.032. Epub 2024 May 3.

Diagnosis and management of longitudinal erythronychia: A clinical review by an expert panel

Kaya L Curtis  1 , Benedict Ho  1 , Nathaniel J Jellinek  2 , Adam I Rubin  3 , Antonella Tosti  4 , Shari R Lipner  5
Affiliations
Review

Diagnosis and management of longitudinal erythronychia: A clinical review by an expert panel

Kaya L Curtis et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Longitudinal erythronychia (LE) is defined as a longitudinal red band of the nail(s) and is classified as localized (involvement of 1 nail) or polydactylous (involvement of more than 1 nail). The differential diagnosis is distinct for these classifications. The etiologies of localized longitudinal erythronychia are most frequently benign subungual neoplasms and less often malignancies. Polydactylous longitudinal erythronychia is typically secondary to regional or systemic diseases, including lichen planus and Darier disease. LE is a common but underrecognized clinical finding. Increased dermatologist awareness of the clinical characteristics and differential diagnosis for LE is necessary given the possibility for malignancy and associated systemic disease. In this clinical review, the clinical features, differential diagnosis, evaluation, and management of LE are described.

Keywords: Darier disease; glomus tumor; lichen planus; localized; longitudinal erythronychia; onychopapilloma; polydactylous.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest Dr Rubin has served as a consultant for Castle Biosciences. Dr Tosti has served as a consultant for DS Laboratories, Almirall, Tirthy Madison, Eli Lilly, P&G, Pfizer, Myovant, Bristol Myers, Squibb, Ortho Dermatologics, and Concert. Dr Lipner has served as a consultant for Ortho-Dermatologics, Eli Lilly, BelleTorus Corporation, and Moberg Pharmaceuticals. Author Curtis, Author Ho, and Dr Jellinek have no conflicts of interest to declare.