Natural Treatment Options for Nail Disorders.

The growing demand for natural treatments has raised concerns among clinicians due to limited scientific evidence supporting their use. This review article addresses the issue by assisting dermatologists and general practitioners in recommending natural treatments for the following common nail disorders: nail brittleness, onychomycosis, periungual verrucae, paronychia, chloronychia, nail psoriasis, nail lichen planus, onychocryptosis, onycholysis, and congenital malalignment of the great toenail. One limitation is the scarcity of existing reviews on natural treatment options for nail disorders in the literature. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this article consolidates the available evidence on natural treatment options for these conditions. Although some natural treatments for nail disorders are supported by scientific evidence, the indiscriminate use of such remedies may lead to severe poisoning and health problems. Given the widespread and increasing use of natural treatments, clinicians play a pivotal role in educating patients about evidence-based remedies and debunking misleading claims. By doing so, clinicians can enhance patient safety and improve treatment outcomes. It is essential for healthcare professionals to be well-informed and equipped with the knowledge to differentiate between effective natural treatments and unverified claims, ensuring that patients receive appropriate care.

Fingertip Infections.

The fingertip is the interface between humans and the world, including the various thorns, dirty needles, and other hazards to be found there. It is unsurprising that this is the site where hand infections most frequently occur. Although commonly encountered by hand surgeons and other physicians, fingertip infections have several mimics, and diagnosis and management is not always straightforward. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to success. As with all infections, they are more common and are more aggressive in immunosuppressed patients. This article reviews fingertip anatomy, common and uncommon fingertip infections and their mimics, and recommendations for management.

Surgical interventions for ingrown toenail.

BACKGROUND: Paronychia is a prevalent clinical disease affecting the soft tissue surrounding the nails. Most cases of toenail paronychia are commonly associated with ingrown toenails. While conservative treatment is effective for mild cases of ingrown toenails, surgical intervention becomes necessary for moderate to severe cases, particularly when granulomas form. OBJECTIVE: To provide a systematic understanding of these classic and modified procedures for surgeons to select the appropriate surgical interventions for patients suffering from moderate to severe ingrown toenails and discuss this technology's advantages and limitations for dermatologic surgery. METHODS: A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases. Studies discussing surgical intervention for ingrown toenails were included. Moreover, the surgical steps were meticulously depicted by detailed schematic diagrams. RESULTS: These surgical techniques can be divided into three categories: matrix resection, debulking of periungual soft tissues, and the rotational flap technique. Each approach possesses distinct advantages and limitations. CONCLUSION: For moderate to severe cases, surgical interventions may exhibit superior outcomes, faster recovery times, and lower recurrence rates. The surgeon must possess a comprehensive understanding and proficient skillset in various surgical techniques for ingrown toenails.

Retronychia in children: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Retronychia is characterized by proximal ingrowing of the nail plate into the proximal nail fold. It is always associated with the presence of two or more overlapping nail plates under the proximal nail fold, clinical signs of chronic proximal paronychia refractory to antimicrobial treatment, and a yellowish nail that does not grow. It mainly affects young female adults, with less than 30 pediatric cases described in the literature so far. METHODS: Retrospective and observational study of patients between 0 and 18 years with a clinical and/or ultrasound diagnosis of retronychia attending a pediatric dermatology service between December 2020 and January 2022. RESULTS: We identified 9 patients with retronychia, 7 girls and 2 boys. In all cases, the hallux nails were affected with 5 unilateral and 4 bilateral cases. On physical examination we observed the following signs: thickened and opaque nail plate (one patient), yellowish nail plate (7 patients), double nail plate (6 patients), and erythema with edema, pain, and suppuration of the proximal nail fold (7 patients). Ultrasound was performed in 7 patients and specific findings of retronychia were found in 5 of them. All patients received topical treatment and were referred for the appropriate surgical treatment. To date, only one patient underwent nail avulsion, which was followed by complete recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Retronychia is underdiagnosed, particularly in the pediatric population. We present a series of 9 cases of retronychia in children, with clinical and ultrasonographic findings consistent with those of adults. We emphasize the importance of recognizing this entity, which will allow early and adequate treatment.

Possibly the first case of onychomycosis by Fusarium lactis: Case presentation and literature review of onychomycosis by Fusarium species.

Fusarium species (spp.) is frequently found in soil and plant residues and on plant bodies in all climatic zones worldwide. Although there have been few reports of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp., it is characterized by drug sensitivity and other characteristics. Here, we report what may be the first case of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium lactis. We analyzed the mycology and characterized previously reported cases of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. A 73-year-old otherwise healthy woman presented with discoloration and thickening of her right thumbnail with paronychia. Direct microscopy revealed unevenly swollen hyphae, and a Grocott-stained nail specimen showed septate hyphae. Based on the morphological features and gene analysis of fungus isolated from the nail, we diagnosed onychomycosis caused by F. lactis belonging to Fusarium fujikuroi species complex. Partial nail removal and topical application of 1% luliconazole solution resolved the condition in 6 months. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for isolated F. lactis showed high sensitivity to luliconazole but not itraconazole or terbinafine. The isolated F. lactis was temperature-sensitive. A search of the literature revealed 57 cases of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. with delineated clinical characteristics. Since those cases were investigated using morphological and/or molecular methods, we analyzed them by species complex as well as species. Onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. is predominantly found on the big toe, with Fusarium solani species complex and Fusarium oxysporum species complex accounting for over 70% of cases. Infection of only one digit with paronychia is a characteristic clinical manifestation of onychomycosis caused by Fusarium spp. Since there has been an increase in instances of molecular determination of Fusarium spp., it is deemed necessary to clarify its clinical and fungal nature. Due to its characteristic drug sensitivity and temperature-sensitive nature, new treatments are expected to be developed.

A Study on the Efficacy of Ω Toenail Correction Treating Paronychia.

To study the clinical effects of Ω toenail correction in the treatment of paronychia. One hundred thirty-six cases of 130 patients during the period from August 2018 to August 2021 were treated with Ω toenail correction according to clinical stages, the clinical therapeutic effects of which were evaluated in terms of the operation time, the time to resume movement, treatment cycle, 1-y recurrence rate, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores before and after treatment. The clinical efficacy was analyzed and compared of Ω toenail correction in treating paronychia of different clinical stages. It has been demonstrated that there was no significant difference in operation time, time to resume movement, treatment cycle and recurrence rate among different stages of paronychia, while there existed the significant difference (p < .05) in VAS score of resting-state pain before and after correction which stood at 6.43 ± 0.29 points with the after-treatment VAS scores at 1.10 ± 0.22. There is a statistical difference (p < .05) in VAS score of movement-evoked pain between before and after treatment. The VAS scores of movement-evoked pain stood at 7.55 ± 0.42, which is in contrast with the after-treatment VAS at 1.74 ± 0.93. It has been concluded that Ω toenail correction characterized by easy operation can relieve the pain immediately, which can achieve satisfactory clinical efficacy for treating paronychia of different stages.

MEK inhibitor-induced paronychia in a paediatric population: A tertiary centre experience.

The cutaneous toxicity of MEK inhibitors may limit treatment adherence. The authors present a retrospective study of 41 paediatric patients with NF-1 undergoing therapy with selumetinib and propose a treatment algorithm.

Combination of available topical beta-blockers and antibiotic ointment for epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced paronychia and pseudopyogenic granulomas in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Painful paronychia and pseudopyogenic granuloma (PG) are common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Multiple local management approaches have been tested with unsatisfactory results. We have introduced an occlusion therapy technique through which available topical drugs for longer than 2 years. METHODS: Based on the cancer registry and case management system of our hospital, from July 2019 to July 2020, we retrospectively enrolled patients with NSCLC who were treated with EGFR-TKIs and received applications of 0.5% timolol ophthalmic solution (TIMOPTOL XE 0.5%®) combined with a neomycin/tyrothricin ointment (Biomycin®) using the occlusion method to treat paronychia or PG. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 66.5 years, most of whom were women (72.7%). Periungual lesion-related pain was reported by all patients, and periungual bleeding and PG were reported in 14% (3/22) and 64% (14/22) of patients, respectively. After the occlusion therapy application of timolol ophthalmic solution combined with neomycin/tyrothricin ointment twice daily, the overall response rate was 83.3%, including complete response in 18% (4/22) of cases and partial response in 68% (15/22) of cases. CONCLUSION: We presented an occlusion method using available topical beta-blockers and antibiotic ointment for EGFR-TKI-induced paronychia and PG in Taiwan. The result is favorable. Further randomized control trial is urgent to validate our findings.

Retronychia: A Misdiagnosed Cause of Paronychia.

Retronychia refers to the embedding of the nail into the proximal nail fold. Patients present with chronic paronychia in the setting of disrupted nail growth. Nail avulsion is curative and unlike other forms of ingrown nails, it does not tend to recur. We report a case of retronychia who presented with pain and swelling around bilateral great toes. Further examination showed growth of overlapping nail plates, which led to the diagnosis of retronychia. This article emphasizes the clinical features and treatment options available for retronychia, thereby avoiding misdiagnosis.

Observation on the therapeutic efficacy of thread hanging combined with cotton plug in the treatment of stage Ⅲ paronychia / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective To observe the curative effect of thread-hanging combined with cotton plug on stage Ⅲ paronychia. Methods Sixty-one patients with stage Ⅲ paronychia were selected and randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. The treatment group (n=31) was treated with thread-hanging and tampon under local infiltration anesthesia, and changed dressing and tampon every day after operation. After the wound healed, the patient soaked his feet in warm water every day and changed the tampon himself until the symptoms subsided, and the knot did not receive special treatment, and the nail plate would naturally shed as it outgrew the paronychia. The control group (n=30) was treated with thread-hanging and nail groove reconstruction under nerve block anesthesia, and the dressing was changed every day after operation. After thread removal, the patients soaked their feet in warm water every day until the symptoms subsided, and the knot was not specially treated, and it naturally fell off with the growth of the deck beyond the nail groove. The postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, pain duration, wound healing time, cure rate, effective rate and recurrence rate of paronychia, and patients' satisfaction with the operation were compared between the two groups. Results Compared with the control group, the treatment group had lower VAS pain scores on the first and third postoperative days (2.1±0.3) and (0.2±0.1) vs. (6.3±0.1) and (3.2±0.2), respectively, shorter duration of pain and wound healing time (3.3±0.3) days and (10.1±0.5) days vs. (5.2±0.3) days and (15.2±0.3) days, respectively, higher cure rate (87.1% vs. 66.7%), lower failure rate (12.9% vs. 33.3%), lower recurrence rate (7.4% vs. 20.0%), and higher patient satisfaction (97.0% vs.75.3%). The treatment group showed significant superiority over the control group in all outcomes. Conclusion For patients with stage Ⅲ paronychia, thread-hanging combined with cotton tampon without nail groove reconstruction is advantageous as it avoids additional skin trauma, and does not affect the nail appearance and normal periungual barrier after healing, , reduces patient discomfort, and shortens the time off work, resulting in a higher cure rate. This treatment approach is therefore worth promoting in clinical practice.

Surgical Management of Retronychia.

Retronychia is an uncommon type of ingrown nail characterized by ingrowing of the proximal nail plate into the proximal nail fold (PNF), inciting cycles of inflammation. The condition can be symptomatic due to swelling and inflammation of the PNF, but most often it is noticed because of a proximal thickening of the nail plate and the failure of nail to grow distally. It usually affects the great toenails of young females, commonly due to recurrent trauma and footwear-related issues. This condition is difficult to recognize in the initial stages and often requires surgical management when the nail plate becomes significantly impacted. We present a case of retronychia in a 24-year-old lady, who was treated surgically. The report serves to highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in such cases.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Paronychias in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System 1999-2018.

Introduction: Paronychia is the most common hand infection. Prior paronychia studies were limited by small patient numbers. We conducted a national-level analysis over two decades, analyzing demographics, etiologies, and trends in paronychia cases. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of paronychia cases in the 1999-2018 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Sex, race, age, and cause were recorded and compared using χ2, ANOVA, and t tests. Multivariable linear regression analysis assessed changes in age, weight, and sex over time. Results: We analyzed a total of 2,512 cases, with an average age of 27.6 ± 20.6 years, 45.5% females, and 25.6% white and 28.6% black patients. In multivariable linear regression, both age and weight significantly increased over time. Manicuring was the most common etiology (30.9%), increasing in incidence over time and with a higher frequency in adults (p < 0.0001) and females (p < 0.0001). There was a significant decrease in pediatric paronychia cases over time, particularly in 0- to 4-year-olds. Possible limitations include missed paronychia cases or additional non-paronychia cases due to improper coding, infrequent race reporting, and inability to analyze treatments or distinguish between paronychia subtypes. Conclusions: Paronychia cases were associated with increased age and weight over time with different presentations by age. Manicuring represents the largest growing paronychia etiology.

Nail Loss in Mild to Moderate Pemphigus Vulgaris.

Introduction: Symptoms of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) rarely include nail findings. When ungual involvement does occur, the most common manifestations are paronychia and onychomadesis. Onycholysis is very uncommon, and complete nail loss has not been reported in the literature. Ungual involvement is thought to be closely correlated with disease severity, with only severe PV cases demonstrating nail symptoms. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 34-year-old female presenting with mild to moderate PV yet severe onycholysis of her first toe leading to secondary nail loss in conjunction with paronychia of her bilateral thumbs. Oral tofacitinib and rituximab infusions led to strikingly rapid improvement in her nail symptoms. Discussion/Conclusion: This case illustrates the importance of a thorough history and physical exam, as a primary complaint of nail symptoms in these patients may lead to unrecognized PV by even the most skilled practitioners. Tofacitinib and rituximab in combination may rapidly improve nail involvement.

Acute Paronychia and Onychomadesis after a "Russian" Manicure: A New, Aggressive, and Destructive Form of Manicure for Dermatologists to Recognize.

Introduction: Cuticle reduction and removal techniques are commonly performed by nail technicians for nail cosmesis. However, manipulation of the nail cuticle can lead to localized infection and nail dystrophy. Case Presentation: In this case, a 20-year-old woman from the Philadelphia area in the USA presented with onychomadesis secondary to acute paronychia following a "Russian" manicure. In this technique, an electronic filer is used to completely remove the cuticle, leaving the proximal nail fold exposed and vulnerable. Conclusion: As this style of manicure is being inaccurately publicized as safe, it is important that dermatologists are aware of this technique and educate our patients about its potential for harm.

Bacterial and viral infections of the nail unit: Tips for diagnosis and management.

The nail unit is the most commonly affected area in hand infections, which can be primary infection or superinfection complicating other nail or skin disorders. Trauma, mechanical or chemical, is usually the trigger enabling infiltration of infectious organisms. Artificial nails and nail polish are also a possible cause of bacterial infection, harboring microorganisms. In severe acute bacterial infection, surgical intervention is often needed to prevent morbidity and disability. Abscess should always be drained, but viral infection such as herpetic whitlow, may mimic an abscess and, in contrast, requires non-operative treatment; to prevent sequelae. A more conservative approach is also generally advisable in less severe bacterial infection, other viral infections and in subacute or chronic nail infection. The present review deals with acute, subacute and chronic bacterial and viral infections of the nail unit, with a focus on diagnostic and treatment options. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, systematic review of level III studies.