Spandidos Publications Logo
  • About
    • About Spandidos
    • Aims and Scopes
    • Abstracting and Indexing
    • Editorial Policies
    • Reprints and Permissions
    • Job Opportunities
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact
  • Journals
    • All Journals
    • Oncology Letters
      • Oncology Letters
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Oncology
      • International Journal of Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Biomedical Reports
      • Biomedical Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Reports
      • Oncology Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Medicine International
      • Medicine International
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
  • Articles
  • Information
    • Information for Authors
    • Information for Reviewers
    • Information for Librarians
    • Information for Advertisers
    • Conferences
  • Language Editing
Spandidos Publications Logo
  • About
    • About Spandidos
    • Aims and Scopes
    • Abstracting and Indexing
    • Editorial Policies
    • Reprints and Permissions
    • Job Opportunities
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Contact
  • Journals
    • All Journals
    • Biomedical Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Epigenetics
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Functional Nutrition
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Molecular Medicine
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • International Journal of Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Medicine International
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular and Clinical Oncology
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Molecular Medicine Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Letters
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • Oncology Reports
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
    • World Academy of Sciences Journal
      • Information for Authors
      • Editorial Policies
      • Editorial Board
      • Aims and Scope
      • Abstracting and Indexing
      • Bibliographic Information
      • Archive
  • Articles
  • Information
    • For Authors
    • For Reviewers
    • For Librarians
    • For Advertisers
    • Conferences
  • Language Editing
Login Register Submit
  • This site uses cookies

  • You can change your cookie settings at any time by following the instructions in our Cookie Policy. To find out more, you may read our Privacy Policy.

    I agree
Search articles by DOI, keyword, author or affiliation
Search
Advanced Search
presentation
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
Join Editorial Board Propose a Special Issue
Print ISSN: 1792-0981 Online ISSN: 1792-1015
Journal Cover
February-2026 Volume 31 Issue 2

Full Size Image

Sign up for eToc alerts
Recommend to Library

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

Journal Cover
February-2026 Volume 31 Issue 2

Full Size Image

Sign up for eToc alerts
Recommend to Library

  • Article
  • Citations
    • Cite This Article
    • Download Citation
    • Create Citation Alert
    • Remove Citation Alert
    • Cited By
  • Similar Articles
    • Related Articles (in Spandidos Publications)
    • Similar Articles (Google Scholar)
    • Similar Articles (PubMed)
  • Download PDF
  • Download XML
  • View XML
Case Report

A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report

  • Authors:
    • Ke Li
    • Wenjing Zha
    • Yitao Qian
    • Lei Shi

  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Dermatology, Huadong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Shanghai 200040, P.R. China
  • Article Number: 41
    |
    Published online on: December 1, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13036
  • Expand metrics +
Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

This article is mentioned in:


Abstract

Minocycline, a tetracycline antibiotic used to treat acne and rosacea, is known to cause nail discoloration, typically as blue‑gray pigmentation. However, other unique manifestations are less frequently reported. A 19‑year‑old male with acne developed a unique ‘snow mountain nail’ after one month of minocycline treatment. The patient's nails showed blue‑gray pigmentation near the nail bed, along with bright white changes at the free edge and parallel white stripes on the nail bed, forming a distinctive dual‑color pattern. After the discontinuation of minocycline, the treatment plan was also adjusted. After 2 months, the pigmentation was significantly reduced. After 2 years the nails had returned to normal and there were no residual pigmented spots. The ‘snow mountain nail’ phenomenon introduces a novel clinical presentation of minocycline‑induced pigmentation. It may be proposed that minocycline forms chelates with iron, which accumulate in the nail cuticle, causing discoloration. The bright white stripes may result from changes in the blood supply or inflammation in the nail bed. This case expands the understanding of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration, emphasizing the importance of early recognition and management of this side effect to minimize its cosmetic and psychological impact. The present findings offer new insights into its pathogenesis and diagnostic significance.
View Figures

Figure 1

The patient's nail appearance on both hands. The ‘snow mountain nail’ is characterized by blue-gray pigmentation near the root of the nail bed, accompanied by a distinct bright white nail change at the free end. In addition, bright white stripes arranged in parallel are seen on the nail bed, which complement the blue-gray areas and form a unique dual color. The white area represents the white lesion of the nail, while the blue area corresponds to the blue-gray lesion. These areas respectively correspond to the white summit and the blue gray body of a snow mountain. It is important to note that the thumbs and index fingers indicated by the arrows in the figure are shown for demonstration purposes only. The same ‘snow mountain nail’ phenomenon was observed on the other fingers as well. There was no change in color on the patient's toes, which may be due to the relatively slow growth rate of the toenail.

Figure 2

At 2 years post-discontinuation of the medication, the patient's nails returned to a more normal state, but there was still a slight residual pigment at the proximal end. This may be due to the slow degradation of the minocycline-iron complexes. The redness and swelling above the knuckles indicate the persistence of local inflammatory activity
View References

1 

Iorizzo M, Starace M and Pasch MC: Leukonychia: What can white nails tell us? Am J Clin Dermatol. 23:177–193. 2022.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

2 

Hwang JK and Lipner SR: Blue nail discoloration: Literature review and diagnostic algorithms. Am J Clin Dermatol. 24:419–441. 2023.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

3 

Varghese K, Dykstra J and Bisbee E: Minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation of nails. Cureus. 15(e38640)2023.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

4 

Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, Cook-Bolden F, Desai SR, Druby KM, Freeman EE, Keri JE, Stein Gold LF, Tan JKL, et al: Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 90:1006.e1–1006.e30. 2024.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

5 

Tsianakas A, Pieber T, Baldwin H, Feichtner F, Alikunju S, Gautam A, Shenoy S, Singh P and Sidgiddi S: Minocycline Extended-release comparison with doxycycline for the treatment of rosacea: A randomized, Head-to-Head, clinical trial. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 14:16–23. 2021.PubMed/NCBI

6 

Asadi A, Abdi M, Kouhsari E, Panahi P, Sholeh M, Sadeghifard N, Amiriani T, Ahmadi A, Maleki A and Gholami M: Minocycline, focus on mechanisms of resistance, antibacterial activity, and clinical effectiveness: Back to the future. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 22:161–174. 2020.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

7 

Taniguchi Y and Yamamoto H: Clinical images: Methotrexate-induced melanonychia. Arthritis Rheumatol: Jul 28, 2025 (Epub ahead of print).

8 

Forouzan P and Cohen PR: Fungal viridionychia: Onychomycosis-induced chloronychia caused by Candida parapsilosis-associated green nail discoloration. Cureus. 13(e20335)2021.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

9 

Gregoriou S, Platsidaki E, Sidiropoulou P and Rigopoulos D: Nails with bloodstained discoloration. BMJ. 375(n1951)2021.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

10 

Hasunuma N, Umebayashi Y and Manabe M: True leukonychia in Crohn disease induced by selenium deficiency. JAMA Dermatol. 150:779–780. 2014.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

11 

Ricardo JW, Shah K, Minkis K and Lipner SR: Blue Skin, Nail, and Scleral Pigmentation Associated with Minocycline. Case Rep Dermatol. 14:239–242. 2022.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

12 

Wang P, Farmer JP and Rullo J: Minocycline-induced hyperpigmentation. JAMA Dermatol. 57(992)2021.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

13 

Masuyama T, Branch J, Ishizuka K, Uchida R, Otsuki T, Ie K and Okuse C: Minocycline-induced blue nails. Am J Med. 137:e190–e191. 2024.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar

Related Articles

  • Abstract
  • View
  • Download
  • Twitter
Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Li K, Zha W, Qian Y and Shi L: A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report. Exp Ther Med 31: 41, 2026.
APA
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., & Shi, L. (2026). A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 31, 41. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13036
MLA
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., Shi, L."A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31.2 (2026): 41.
Chicago
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., Shi, L."A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31, no. 2 (2026): 41. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13036
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Li K, Zha W, Qian Y and Shi L: A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report. Exp Ther Med 31: 41, 2026.
APA
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., & Shi, L. (2026). A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 31, 41. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13036
MLA
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., Shi, L."A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31.2 (2026): 41.
Chicago
Li, K., Zha, W., Qian, Y., Shi, L."A novel presentation of minocycline‑induced nail discoloration: A case report". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31, no. 2 (2026): 41. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13036
Follow us
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
About
  • Spandidos Publications
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
How can we help?
  • Help
  • Live Chat
  • Contact
  • Email to our Support Team