An itchy rash on the fingertips

Patricia Machado

Diogo Pereira

Paulo Morais

Figure 1. Clinical appearance of the patient's nails

Question 1

What is the most likely diagnosis?

Question 2

How would you diagnose this disease?

Question 3

Given the clinical presentation, what other diseases should be considered?

Question 4

What are the treatment options?

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis is allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by acrylates present in the artificial nails. The frequency of this diagnosis is steadily increasing, although the exact prevalence in individuals who use artificial nails is unknown.¹ There are several forms of artificial nails, including sculptured nails, photobonded nails and preformed nails, which usually contain or are glued on with acrylates. They belong to the class of plastic materials and synthetic resins that are well-known skin sensitisers. The delayed hypersensitivity reaction later develops into a contact dermatitis in the exposed areas. Skin lesions, itching and discomfort can occur after new exposure.² It should be noted that ACD to acrylates may occur not only in people who use artificial nails, but also in professional nail beauticians or manicurists (occupational).¹

Answer 2

The diagnosis of ACD to acrylates in artificial nails is usually suspected by clinical presentation, although it should be confirmed with epicutaneous patch testing. This test is still regarded as the best method for the diagnosis of ACD and helps to identify which substances may be causing the reaction in the patient.³ It is a safe and well-tolerated method that increases the probability of a correct diagnosis, reduces costs of treatment and increases the chances for complete remisson.^3–5 A comprehensive history and careful physical examination are essential to determine the need for patch testing and selection of substances to be tested. Skin reactions to artificial nails in sensitised patients include contact dermatitis, paronychia, onychodystrophy, onycholysis, nail bed hyperkeratosis, paronychial and subungual pain, and peripheral paresthesias.^1,6–10 Although the lesions are usually confined to the area of contact, they can also arise in other sites, such as the face, eyelids and neck, through nail contact with the skin in those areas, or exposure to organic vapours and airborne dust.^6,10 Asthma has also been associated with the application of artificial nails.¹¹

In our patient, patch testing with the Portuguese standard series and acrylates series revealed positive reactions to different types of acrylates present in artificial nails.

Answer 3

The two main differential diagnoses to be considered in this case are onychomycosis and psoriasis. Curiously, the former can occur simultaneously as the lateral portions of the nail that become exposed are more likely to develop bacterial or fungal infections.¹ Manifestations of nail psoriasis include pitting, onycholysis, oil drop discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, splinter haemorrhages, transverse furrows, crumbling nail plate and onychomadesis.¹² Isolated nail involvement is rare in psoriatic patients. Nail disease is usually associated with the typical well-demarcated scaly, erythematous plaques, which can present anywhere on the skin.

Answer 4

As with any allergy, avoidance of contact with the allergen is essential. Therefore, removal of acrylic nails is mandatory. Careful local hygiene should be recommended in order to prevent infection. Management of contact dermatitis may include treatment with topical corticosteroids and emollients. Antihistamines, especially those with sedative properties, are frequently used to control itch and to provide some relief of symptoms.^2,13

Case follow-up

Our patient was advised to remove the acrylic artificial nails and was treated with topical betamethasone dipropionate cream, with significant improvement after 1 week. Her nails grew out normally from the base and after several months had fully recovered.

Competing interests: None.
Provenance and peer review: Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

References

1. Roche E, de la Cuadra J, Alegre V. Sensitization to acrylates caused by artificial acrylic nails: review of 15 cases. Actas Dermosifiliogr 2008;99:788–94.
2. Usatine RP, Riojas M. Diagnosis and management of contact dermatitis. Am Fam Physician 2010;82:249–55.
3. Nelson JL, Mowad CM. Allergic Contact Dermatitis Patch Testing Beyond the TRUE Test. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2010;3:36–41.
4. Spiewak R. Patch Testing for Contact Allergy and Allergic Contact Dermatitis. Open Allergy J 2008;1:42–51.
5. Fonacier L,Charlesworth EN. Patch testing for allergic contact dermatitis in the allergist office. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2003;3:283–90.
6. Mowad CM, Ferringer T. Allergic contact dermatitis from acrylates in artificial nails. Dermatitis 2004;15:51–53.
7. Slodownik D, Williams JD, Tate BJ. Prolonged paresthesia due to sculptured acrylic nails. Contact Dermatitis 2007;56:298–99.
8. Freeman S, Lee MS, Gudmundsen K. Adverse contact reactions to sculptured acrylic nails: 4 case reports and a literature review. Contact Dermatitis 1995;33:381–85.
9. Cruz MJ, Baudrier T, Cunha AP, Ferreira O, Azevedo F. Severe onychodystrophy caused by allergic contact dermatitis to acrylates in artificial nails. Cutan Ocul Toxicol 2011;30:323–24.
10. Maio P, Carvalho R, Amaro C, Santos R, Cardoso J. Letter: Allergic contact dermatitis from sculptured acrylic nails: special presentation with a possible airborne pattern. Dermatol Online J 2012;18:13.
11. Henriks-Eckerman ML, Korva M. Exposure to airborne methacrylates in nail salons. J Occup Environ Hyg 2012;9:D146–50.
12. Tan ES, Chong WS, Tey HL. Nail psoriasis: a review. Am J Clin Dermatol 2012;13:375–88.
13. Imbesi S, Minciullo PL, Isola S, Gangemi S. Allergic contact dermatitis: Immune system involvement and distinctive clinical cases. Allergol Immunopath (Madr) 2011;39:374–77.

Correspondence afp@racgp.org.au

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