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Drug-related nail disease.
Bianca Maria Piraccini1, Aurora Alessandrini
1Department of Specialised Experimental and Diagnostic Medicine University of Bologna, Italy.
Clinics in Dermatology
|October 2, 2013
Summary
Drug-induced nail problems vary widely, often linked to dosage and resolving after stopping medication. Newer anticancer drugs can cause painful nail issues like onycholysis and ingrown nails.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Drug-induced nail abnormalities are common side effects.
- Manifestations range from cosmetic issues to painful conditions impacting daily activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the spectrum of drug-induced nail abnormalities.
- To highlight recent observations with anticancer agents.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of drug-induced nail changes.
- Focus on side effects associated with taxanes, anthracyclines, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Main Results:
- Nail changes are often dose-related and reversible upon drug cessation.
- Anticancer agents like taxanes and anthracyclines can cause painful onycholysis and subungual abscesses.
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors may lead to ingrown nails, paronychia, and pyogenic granuloma.
Conclusions:
- Drug-induced nail abnormalities present diverse clinical features.
- Awareness of these side effects is crucial for managing patients on specific anticancer therapies.
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