Nail dystrophy due to lichen sclerosus?

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2001 Sep;26(6):507-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2001.00878.x.

Abstract

Lichen sclerosus (LS) affects anogenital skin alone in 80% of cases. When extragenital disease occurs, it usually affects the trunk, neck, axillae and wrist flexures. Nail involvement with LS is rare. In contrast, lichen planus (LP) commonly affects extragenital skin. Mucosal lesions occur in 50% of cases, affecting the mouth and genitalia. Nail disease in LP is common, and, if severe, can lead to destruction of the nail bed. LS and LP can coexist. We report two cases of LS with nail involvement. In the Case 1 disease was confined to the nail, and nail biopsy confirmed LS. In the Case 2, the nail changes formed part of the widespread genital and extragenital LS, confirmed histologically. We review existing literature on nail disease in LS and discuss the possible aetiology of the nail changes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Topical
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clobetasol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Clobetasol / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Foot Dermatoses / complications*
  • Foot Dermatoses / drug therapy
  • Foot Dermatoses / pathology
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Hand Dermatoses / complications*
  • Hand Dermatoses / drug therapy
  • Hand Dermatoses / pathology
  • Humans
  • Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / complications*
  • Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / drug therapy
  • Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Nails / pathology
  • Nails, Malformed*
  • Vulva / pathology
  • Vulvar Diseases / complications*
  • Vulvar Diseases / drug therapy
  • Vulvar Diseases / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Clobetasol