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Blue lunula due to hydroxyurea
Balasubramanian Jeevankumar1, Devinder Mohan Thappa
1Department of Dermatology and STD, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India.
The Journal of Dermatology
|August 21, 2003
Summary
Hydroxyurea, a cancer drug, can rarely cause blue lunula (nail discoloration). This case report details a patient with psoriasis experiencing this rare side effect, highlighting potential drug-induced nail changes.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nail lunula color changes can signal underlying health issues or medication side effects.
- Hydroxyurea, an antitumor agent, typically causes nail hyperpigmentation, not blue discoloration.
- Psoriasis treatment with hydroxyurea necessitates monitoring for adverse dermatological reactions.
Observation:
- A 45-year-old male patient with chronic plaque psoriasis presented with lunular pigmentation.
- The patient was undergoing treatment with oral hydroxyurea (500 mg twice daily).
- Blue lunula and nail pigmentation appeared two weeks after initiating hydroxyurea therapy.
Findings:
- Hydroxyurea administration resulted in a rare blue discoloration of the nail lunula.
- The observed pigmentation was localized to the proximal nail area.
- This case highlights an unusual adverse effect of hydroxyurea on nail appearance.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of rare hydroxyurea-induced lunular color changes.
- Monitoring nail health is crucial for patients on long-term hydroxyurea treatment.
- This finding expands the spectrum of known hydroxyurea-related dermatological side effects.