Green nail syndrome

Causes

Green nail syndrome is caused when the nail is exposed to a bacterial organism, which leads to opportunistic infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the most common cause but not the only one, is frequently found in nature including in water sources, humans, animals and soil. These bacteria do not normally survive on dry, healthy skin, but can thrive in moist conditions. The seal between the nail and finger acts as a physical barrier to prevent infection, however hyper-hydration or destruction of the epidermis can impair the barrier, allowing the bacteria to colonise. The nail turns green due to the bacteria secreting pigments such as pyocyanin and pyoverdin.

Risk factors

Green nail syndrome occurs rarely in healthy individuals, but can occur in the immunocompromised or those whose hands are frequently immersed in water or who have other nail problems. The elderly and people who have had trauma to a finger or nail are at greater risk of contracting green nail syndrome.

Green nail syndrome has been linked to manicures, heat, dermatitis, ulcerations, occlusions and excess sweating. Higher risk of contracting the infection is also linked to soccer players and military personnel due to the prolonged periods of time in which they exercise while wear tight fitting shoes as well as immunosuppressed persons and those with a weakened epidermis barrier.

Pseudomonas can be transferred among clients in a nail salon if appropriate hygiene standards are not practiced, allowing transfer of the bacteria to clients. Artificial nails may be a contributing factor, and their use can result in diagnostic delay.

A man working in a job where he was regularly mixing chemicals developed green nails secondary to exposure to chemicals; he mostly wore latex gloves, but sometimes did not, and the type of gloves he used was inadequate, resulting in a constantly moist environment.

Cloronychia may be transferred to patients in clinics by medical practitioners, even when they are wearing gloves.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can typically be made from a physical examination of the nail, although cultures are sometimes needed. Nail scrapings can be performed to rule out fungal infections.

Differential diagnosis

Green nails may also be seen with Proteus mirabilis infection, in psoriasis, or because of use of triphenylmethane dyes or other stains and lacquers or chemical solutions. Melanoma is an infrequent differential diagnosis, which must be ruled out in hard-to-treat cases. Other differential diagnoses include hematoma and fungal infections (onychomycosis).

Prevention

Preventative measures should be implemented by those who are most at risk of contracting green nail syndrome due to their predisposition or lifestyle and workplace choices. Wearing waterproof gloves or rubber boots can be effective in preventing prolonged exposure of the nails to water. Avoiding trauma that could lead to the destruction of the epidermis seal is on the nails is a priority in preventing green nail syndrome recurrences.

Treatment

As of 2020, there have not been controlled, blinded studies on the treatment of green nail syndrome and there are no treatment guidelines as of 2021. Keeping the nails dry and avoiding excessive immersion of the nails are key. In some cases, surgical removal of the infected nail may be required, as a last choice. The patient is advised to avoid further trauma to the infected nail regardless of the treatment they received.

Pharmaceutical

Oral antibiotics are rarely necessary, helpful or recommended by all practitioners. Moderate cases of green nail syndrome may be prescribed topical antibiotics (silver sulfadiazine, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, bacitracin and polymyxin B). Oral antibiotics are sometimes used if other therapies fail. Tobramycin eye drops are sometimes used.

Alternative

The least invasive treatment includes soaking the nail in alcohol and regularly trimming the nail back, to dry out the area and prevent bacterial colonization. Some at-home treatments include soaking the nails in vinegar (diluted with water 1:1) or a chlorine bleach solution (diluted with water 1:4) at regular intervals.

History

Goldman–Fox syndrome was first described in 1944 by Leon Goldman, a dermatology professor at the University of Cincinnati, and Harry Fox.