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Multiple onychocryptosis following treatment of onychomycosis with oral terbinafine

T D Weaver1, D L Jespersen

  • 1Podiatry Section (N323), Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Lebanon, PA 17042, USA.

Cutis
|September 28, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Multiple ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) developed after antifungal treatment for toenail fungus (onychomycosis). This unusual complication required surgical intervention and highlights a potential risk of oral antifungal therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Podiatry
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Onychomycosis, a common fungal nail infection, is frequently treated with oral antifungal medications.
  • Terbinafine is a widely prescribed oral antifungal agent for onychomycosis.
  • Nail growth and health are crucial for preventing nail disorders.

Observation:

  • A case of multiple onychocryptosis (ingrown toenails) emerged after oral terbinafine treatment for onychomycosis.
  • New nail growth led to the distal nail plate becoming ingrown.
  • Periungual inflammation was noted around the affected toenails.

Findings:

  • Oral terbinafine therapy for onychomycosis can paradoxically lead to the development of multiple onychocryptosis.
  • The ingrowth occurred at the distal aspect of the toenails as healthy nail plate regenerated.
  • Surgical procedures were necessary to manage the resulting ingrown toenails and inflammation.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a potential, previously unreported complication of oral antifungal therapy.
  • Clinicians should be aware of onychocryptosis as a possible adverse effect of oral terbinafine.
  • Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism and incidence of this complication.

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