Adigun Chris G, Shoaf Hannah
Dr. Adigun is with the Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Ms. Shoaf is with the Center on Science & Technology Policy at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.
J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2020 Dec;13(12):18-20. Epub 2020 Dec 1.
Multiple cases have reported onychodystrophy secondary to acrylic nails. We present a case of onychodystrophy with psoriasiform nail changes, including onycholysis, splinter hemorrhages, hyperkeratosis, and nail plate thinning, caused by gel manicures. Histopathological analysis of the nail plate and subungual debris revealed neutrophils in the absence of fungal elements. Although the presence of neutrophils in the nail plate material in conjunction with characteristic psoriatic nail changes suggested a diagnosis of psoriasis, certain key features of nail psoriasis, including oil spots, salmon patches, and pitting, were notably absent. The development of these nail changes following gel manicure and pedicure application and the improvement of the onychodystrophy with topical and intralesional steroids support the diagnosis of psoriasiform onychodystrophy.