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Yellow nail syndrome

Author: Vanessa Ngan, Staff Writer, 2006.


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What is yellow nail syndrome?

Yellow nail syndrome is a rare disorder of the nail, which is usually accompanied by lymphoedema (swelling of parts of the body caused by blockage or damage to the drainage of the lymphatic system). It may also be associated with recurrent pleural effusions (fluid collection in space surrounding the lungs) and less commonly bronchiectasis (chronic, abnormal dilation of the bronchi in the lungs), chronic bronchitis and sinus infections.

Yellow nail syndrome

What are the signs and symptoms?

Yellow nail syndrome most often starts in middle age, although a similar condition has been described in younger children.

The three main features of yellow nail syndrome are described in the following table.

Feature Characteristics
Nail changes
  • All nails may be affected
  • Nails are slow growing or appear to have stopped growing
  • Nails become thicker and turn a pale yellow or greenish-yellow colour with edges slightly darker
  • Nails mainly remain smooth but may be cross-ridging and nail humped with loss of cuticles
  • Onycholysis (separation of nail from the nail bed) may affect one or more nails
Lymphoedema
  • Swelling occurs in about 80% of patients and most frequently affects the legs
  • Signs of swelling usually occur after nail changes appear and may not been seen for some months later
  • Swelling less often affects the hands, face or genitals
Respiratory signs
  • Pleural effusions occur in about 36% of patients
  • In about 30% of patients, the initial symptom is related to pleural effusions
  • Patients often give a history of recurrent attack of bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, and pneumonia

What causes yellow nail syndrome?

The cause of yellow nail syndrome is unknown. However, it is seen in patients with chronic bronchiectasis or sinusitis, pleural effusions, internal malignancies, immunodeficiency syndromes, and rheumatoid arthritis. In some cases the lymphatic abnormality may be congenital (occur during development) but in most it is probably related to the other associated conditions.

What treatment is available?

Patients should receive appropriate medical treatment for their respiratory symptoms and oedema.

Nail changes once established are usually permanent, although complete reversion to normal nails has occurred in some cases. Treatment of nails includes topical vitamin E solution and oral itraconazole. Some studies have shown that nutritional supplementation with vitamin E appears to be effective in controlling yellow nail syndrome, for unknown reasons. Zinc supplements have also been used but it is unclear whether they are effective.

Itraconazole and fluconazole are oral antifungal agents. It has been noted that they appear to speed up the rate of growth of nails, which may be of benefit in yellow nail syndrome even though it is not caused by fungal infection.

 

References

  • Book: Textbook of Dermatology. Ed Rook A, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJB, Champion RH, Burton JL. Fourth edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
  • Fawcett RS, Linford S, Stulberg DL, Nail Abnormalities: Clues to Systemic Disease. American Family Physician 2004;69:1417–24. PubMed

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