Finger nail plate shape and size for personal identification­a possible low technology method for the developing world-Preliminary report

There is much documented information on abnormal fingernail shapes- acquired or congenital. There is a dearth of information on the shapes of the clinically healthy fingernail in medical textbooks and scientific journals. A study was carried out to determine the possible shapes of the healthy fingernails and the prevalence of each shape in the locality, i.e. in Ibadan, south-western Nigeria and to consider if there would be enough diversity in the shapes and sizes and their distribution on the different fingers to merit consideration for personal identification. The population included 496 consenting individuals, four family units and four sets of monozygotic twins. The latter two population samples were studied to assess the combinations possible within families and in monozygotic twins. Seven gross fingernail shapes were identified in the study population. Examination showed variations within members of the families i.e. no two members had identical shapes in the pair of hands. Examination of 4 sets of identical twins showed no difference in the shapes and sizes of the fingernails on each finger. It would appear that the finger nail plate shapes /sizes of the hands show diversities similar to finger prints and therefore can be considered and developed further for personal identification in developing countries such as Africa

Efficacy of lamisil in the treatment of onychomycosis of the finger nail

Fungal infection of the nail is commonly encountered dermatological problem in Nigeria. It is observed to be more frequently encountered in female patients who for cosmetic reasons seek dermatological services readily than males. A strong association between tinea pedis and onychomycosis has also been established. The most commonly encountered dermatophyte in the infection of the nail is trichophyton rububrum; which is known to be very difficult to treat and to re-occur very often

Short Communication : Diagnostic Potential of Nailford Hypopigmentation in Nigerians

In a prospective study spanning 6 months which involved looking for hypopigmentation of the nailfold in admitted patients in a Nigerian hospital this clinical feature was found to be related to malignancy (42.3 Percent); tuberculosis (30 percent) chronic ill-health (81 percent). Moderate to serve wasting (73 percent) and low socio-economic class (88.4 percent) were prevalent in the 26 patients found with this sign during the study period