Nail staining due to hydroquinone skin -- lightening creams.

Staining of the nails due to hydroquinone-containing creams is not a well-recognized condition. We report two cases in older women in whom brown discoloration developed after the use of cosmetic skin-lightening creams for actinic lentigines of the hands. The cause of the discoloration and its relation to light exposure is discussed. Nail discoloration after the use of hydroquinone does not appear to have been reported in the British literature and a relationship to light exposure has not been previously noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]