Pigmentations of the nails (chromonychia)

Nails, particularly fingernails, may show signs that are important not only for detection of diseases of the nails themselves, but of diseases of other organs or the system as a whole. Changes of color in nail plates or nail beds sometimes seem to suggest the parts are windows to what is happening in the body. Above all, changes of color in nails that compel investigation for malignant melanoma, the most dread of diseases, are most important.