Toe keloid after nail extraction treated with surgical excision: A case report

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Keloids are benign fibrous growths extending beyond original injury sites, typically affecting specific body regions like the chest and ears.
• Hands and feet are rarely affected by keloids, making this case of toe keloid development unusual.

Observation:

• A 20-year-old male developed symptomatic toe keloids after undergoing bilateral hallux nail extraction at age 17.
• Post-extraction, scars showed hyperplasia, erythema, itching, and expansion, leading to matrix unguis destruction and ulceration within two years.

Findings:

• Diagnosis of toe keloid was confirmed via biopsy.
• Successful treatment involved surgical excision, skin flap transplantation, postoperative irradiation, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy.

Implications:

• Nail extraction trauma can trigger keloid formation, even in typically spared areas like the toes.
• The patient's history of chest keloids suggests a predisposition, underscoring the importance of considering individual risk factors in keloid development.