Psychoses of periungual disease

The most common forms of periungual lesions, both benign and malignant, have been reviewed. The potential psychologic response of patients to these lesions has been discussed. The case reviewed demonstrates how a patient can become overly concerned with thoughts of malignant involvement in these type of lesions. The podiatric physician must be aware of the potential for patients to become anxious and irrational when dealing with periungual lesions.