LEUCONYCHIA Meaning and
Definition
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Leuconychia is a medical term used to describe a condition characterized by the presence of white spots or streaks on the nails. It refers to the discoloration or whitening of the nail plate due to various underlying causes.
The term "leuconychia" is derived from the Greek words "leukos" meaning white and "onyx" meaning nail. These small white spots are commonly observed on the fingernails but can also appear on toenails. Leuconychia can affect one or multiple nails simultaneously.
There are several potential causes of leuconychia. One of the most common reasons is trauma or injury to the nail bed, which can disrupt the growth of the nail matrix and lead to these white spots. Other possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, such as zinc deficiency, or certain medical conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disorders. In some cases, leuconychia could also be a sign of an underlying fungal infection or inflammatory conditions like psoriasis.
The diagnosis of leuconychia is typically made through a visual examination by a healthcare professional or a dermatologist. Treatment for leuconychia depends on the underlying cause. In instances where it is caused by trauma, no treatment may be necessary as the spots will eventually grow out. Addressing any nutritional deficiencies or treating the underlying medical condition can help resolve leuconychia in those cases. If a fungal infection is responsible, antifungal medications may be prescribed to eliminate the infection.
Overall, leuconychia is a condition that manifests as white spots on the nails, and its treatment varies depending on the underlying cause.
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The occurrence of white spots or patches under the nails, due to the presence of air bubbles between the nail and its bed; leucopathia unguium, canities unguium. The decoloration may be total or in the form of lines (striate l.) or dots (punctate l.).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEUCONYCHIA
- keuconychia
- peuconychia
- oeuconychia
- lwuconychia
- lsuconychia
- lduconychia
- lruconychia
- l4uconychia
- l3uconychia
- leyconychia
- lehconychia
- lejconychia
- leiconychia
- le8conychia
- le7conychia
- leuxonychia
- leuvonychia
- leufonychia
- leudonychia
- leucinychia
Etymology of LEUCONYCHIA
The word "leuconychia" is derived from the Greek roots "leukos" meaning "white" and "onyx" meaning "nail". The term "leuconychia" refers to a condition characterized by the whitening of the nails.
