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Hi guys, another random nail case today, this time it involves the fingernails mostly but also the toenails.
Pt is a man, in his 40's, in good health.
This man has done everything under the sun as far as treating his nails for fungal infections goes for the past 2 years, and has seen numerous dermatologists as well, with no diagnosis. He has had multiple labs done to check for fungal infections with negative results each time.
I have attatched a picture of his fingernails, the quality is not so good, but basically his fingernails and toenails have turned yellow, become very thick and have stopped growing (he hasn't cut them in over 2 years). With his permission, he said that we could upload a photo for you to look at and give any ideas on what it could be? He has had extensive bloods done to check kidneys, liver, thyroid, inflammatory markers, glucose etc etc, the only abnormalities were a slightly low protein count in the most recent one, but the blood test which was done 6 months prior was fine.
He believes that stress caused this to happen as he lost all his money in the economic crash and when that happened this happened to his nails. He seems to be fine now, and claims he is as happy as ever. Has anyone heard of stress causing nails to turn like this and stop growing for so long? Any ideas on what it could be?

Cheers!

 

Apparently Dermatologists believe stress can effect skin, hair and nail growth.

Never come across it myself-

http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/49168

 

Seen plenty with stress related rashes and exacerbation of exczma and psoriasis over the years, worth treating with a few times with low level laser Omega type if nothing else to see if one could not jolt the mitochondria into upping their game, seeing as I don't think you have access to a PinPointe type device out in Singapore.

 

I have certainly seen stress effect the skin and some minor nail changes in the past. Not exactly as you have described here, but I would say it could be possible.

 

What is his occupation? Hobbies?

 

Jess,
This looks like a case of yellow nail syndrome to me.
This condition is poorly documented but has been associated with hypoplasia of the lymphatic system/ peripheral oedema/pleural effusions.
Stress is not regarded as a a contributary factor.
Treatment of the underlying condition is the key factor but even this can give poor results.

regards

Catfoot

 

Hi jess,
i agree with catfoot (yellow nail syndrome) i have seen this before and cat foot is right not much info on this. i did not relate it to stress as it was an elderly person that presented with yellow nails.

Jaynes

 

@the joynes and catfoot above, did "yellow nail syndrome" present with absolutely no nail growth for such a long time?
@Jon Griffin - he does nothing except goes to work at the office and goes home to watch tv each day.

 

And actually now that I think about it it, it does look like yellow nail syndrome!

 

All,

I have only ever seen a couple of patients with this condition and in both cases they claimed that their nails had "not grown for a year". I was not able to verify this as I only saw them once. I referred to the GP for further investigation and they did not come back to me.

I'm sorry I don't have any more information than that.

regards

Catfoot