Open AccessPolydactylous Transverse Erythronychia: Report of a Patient with Multiple Horizontal Red Bands Affecting the Fingernails
Author(s) -
Carina Chang,
Bryce D. Beutler,
Philip R. Cohen
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
dermatology and therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 27
eISSN - 2193-8210
pISSN - 2190-9172
DOI - 10.1007/s13555-017-0177-2
Subject(s) - nail (fastener) , nail plate , medicine , numerical digit , dermatology , transverse plane , longitudinal study , anatomy , pathology , materials science , arithmetic , mathematics , metallurgy , psoriasis
Redness of the nail plate-erythronychia-is a common condition involving one or multiple digits. It may affect the entire nail or present as longitudinal red bands that extend from the proximal nail fold to the distal tip of the nail plate. Rarely, red bands may traverse the nail bed horizontally. Although erythronychia is often idiopathic, it has also been associated with amyloidosis, Darier's disease, lichen planus, and various other cutaneous conditions. We describe the clinical features of a 64-year-old Caucasian man who presented with transverse and longitudinal erythronychia affecting his fingernails. In addition, we review the classification of erythronychia and summarize the acute and chronic conditions that have been associated with this clinical finding.