Nail staining from hydroquinone cream

Abstract

Topical hydroquinone is used in the treatment of a number of skin conditions. A 33-year-old male presented with brown discolouration of the fingernails following the application of 4% hydroquinone in sorbolene cream and 0.1% tretinoin cream to the face intermittently for 9 months. The discolouration resolved when the creams were ceased.

Discolouration of the fingernails from using hydroquinone skin‐lightening cream

“…When nails are discoloured, the changes may occur on the nail surface, within the nail, or beneath the nail 4 . Exogenous pigment may cause staining of both the dorsal and undersurface of the nail plate 5 …”

Self-validated detection of hydroquinone in medicated cosmetic products using a preanodized screen-printed ring disk carbon electrode

“…Prolonged usage of HQ causes skin irritation and sensitization, nail decolouration and hyperpigmentation 3 . Severe side effects and illegal addition of HQ by some manufacturers to increase the bleaching efficacy lead the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Committee to ban the HQ in cosmetics and formulations 4 .…”

Reversible Nail Discoloration from Hydroquinone 4% Cream

“…Only a few cases of nail staining by hydroquinone have been reported previously. All patients were Caucasian using 2-5% hydroquinone topically [2][3][4][5][6].The acquired hyperpigmentation generally presented in the distal part of the fingernails of one or both hands, was asymptomatic, and worsened with sun exposure although this was not seen in this case. Cessation of the hydroquinonecontaining creams or use of gloves to protect the nails resulted in complete resolution of the discoloration within 1-3 months [2][3][4][5][6].…”

“…This tyrosinase-inhibiting phenolic compound has a few well-known adverse effect such as allergic contact dermatitis and exogenous ochronosis after long-term use. However, pigmentation of the nails as a complication of topical hydroquinone is relatively uncommon, with only a few reports in the literature [2][3][4][5][6]. We present a case of nail hyperpigmentation after use of a 4% hydroquinone-containing cream for treatment of facial dyschromia.…”