Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

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
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Pattern of Facial Dyschromias: A Clinical and Dermoscopic Study from a Tertiary Healthcare Center in South India.

Indian dermatology online journal·2025
Same author

Clinical, Dermoscopic and Histopathological Study of Patchy Pigmentation of Lower Legs.

Indian journal of dermatology·2025
Same author

Delphi consensus on melasma management by international experts and pigmentary disorders society.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2025
Same author

Fatal Gastric Mucormycosis and Strongyloidiasis in a Patient with Dapsone Hypersensitivity Syndrome.

Indian dermatology online journal·2025
Same author

Trichomycosis Axillaris: A Clinicoetiological Study.

Indian dermatology online journal·2025
Same author

Prescribing practices of tranexamic acid for melasma: Delphi consensus from the Pigmentary Disorders Society.

Indian journal of dermatology, venereology and leprology·2023
Same journal

Real-World Effectiveness of Tildrakizumab in Japanese Patients With Psoriasis: Analyses Stratified by Prior Systemic Therapy, Maintenance of Early Responses, and Achievement of Delayed Responses.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Patterns of Hyperhidrosis in Northern Hokkaido: A Single-Center Retrospective Descriptive Study.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Sparing of the Nipple-Areolar Complex and Periareolar Skin as a Diagnostic Clue for Radiation-Induced Morphea of the Breast.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Bullous Pemphigoid With Blister Sparing in Areas of Neurologic Impairment Caused by Syringomyelia.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

Demodex Infestation in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With Dupilumab: A Case-Control Study.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
Same journal

A Serum N-Glycan Ratio Associated With Disease Severity and Treatment Response in Psoriasis.

The Journal of dermatology·2026
See all related articles

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.

Related Experiment Videos

  • 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.