JLE

European Journal of Dermatology

MENU

Lichen planus of the nails and fingertips Volume 8, issue 6, September 1998

Figures

See all figures

Authors
Department of Dermatology, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti, 1, 40138 Bologna, Italy
  • Page(s) : 447-8
  • Published in: 1998

In February 1997, a 40-year-old housewife was referred to our Department for a nail dystrophy that involved all ten fingers and had been present for two years. The clinical examination revealed longitudinal grooving, ridging, splitting, thinning, brown discolouration and linear depressions of the nail plate. This was associated with nail fragility and marked inflammation of the proximal nail folds which were erythematous. The skin of the fingertips showed a honeycomb appearance due to multiple, small, punctate, hyperkeratotic depressions. The patient complained of itching, stinging sensation, burning and pain in the fingertips. She complained of exacerbation of lesions during the winter. Examination of the skin, hair and mucous membranes were negative. The patient did not report any stressful situation before the onset of her disease. Her history was negative for diabetes, hepatitis, hypertension and intake of systemic medications. Potassium hydroxide preparations and cultures of nail scrapings gave negative results. Routine biochemical and haematological investigations were normal.