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Minocycline-Induced Hyperpigmentation of Nails
Kevin Varghese1, Jordan Dykstra2, Elizabeth Bisbee2
1School of Medicine, University of Missouri at Kansas City, Kansas City, USA.
Cureus
|June 8, 2023
Summary
Long-term minocycline use for rosacea can cause blue-gray nail hyperpigmentation. This cosmetic side effect, observed in a 66-year-old male after 20 years of treatment, did not affect nail function.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic widely prescribed for various dermatologic conditions, notably rosacea.
- Long-term minocycline therapy is known to potentially cause hyperpigmentation in skin, sclera, and nails.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male patient presented with blue-gray hyperpigmentation specifically affecting his nail beds.
- This condition developed after more than two decades of continuous systemic minocycline treatment for rosacea.
Findings:
- The nail hyperpigmentation was identified as a likely adverse effect of chronic minocycline use.
- The patient's physical examination revealed no other signs of hyperpigmentation elsewhere on the body.
- Crucially, the observed hyperpigmentation did not appear to compromise nail function.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential for delayed and localized adverse effects from long-term antibiotic use.
- It underscores the importance of patient counseling regarding the cosmetic side effects of chronic minocycline therapy.
- Further research may explore the precise mechanisms and prevalence of localized nail hyperpigmentation due to minocycline.
Keywords:
acne rosaceadrug-induced hyperpigmentationminocycline hyperpigmentationnailstype ii hyperpigmentationMore Related Videos
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