Efficacy of triamcinolone acetonide in various acquired nail dystrophies

The treatment of nail disorders is currently an unsatisfying exercise. Isolated nail involvement generally does not warrant any systemic therapy. At the same time, treatment is requested because of significant cosmetic and functional handicap. Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (TA) in the proximal nail fold was evaluated as a treatment modality in 30 patients with twenty-nail dystrophy, 14 with nail lichen planus, and 6 with nail psoriasis. The number of involved nails varied from 1-20, and 1-10 nails were treated with TA. Fourteen patients discontinued treatment after 1-2 sittings. Out of the 28 patients completing the treatment protocol, 16 showed 75-100% improvement. Predominant side effects included pain, subungual hematoma formation, proximal nail fold hypopigmentation, and atrophy. TA given as a single injection in the proximal nail fold produced good improvement in a significant number of patients completing the treatment protocol. Lower concentrations of TA (5 mg/ml) were quite effective in treating various dermatoses affecting the nail unit. Our technique had fewer side effects than needle-less injection or multiple injection techniques. Careful attention to injection technique further minimized the side effects associated with the procedure. Sixteen patients completed the six-month follow-up and a relapse of nail changes was seen in 10. The relapses were equally responsive to retreatment. TA injected into the proximal nail fold area is a useful, cheap and efficacious treatment for dermatoses affecting the nail unit.