Guide To The Conditions That Trachyonychia Can Indicate

Darier's Disease

Darier's disease is another condition that may indicate the presence of trachyonychia. It is a skin condition where wart-like, yellowish, and hard to the touch blemishes appear on the skin. Blemishes may also emit a strong odor and be present in different parts of the body, such as the upper arms, forehead, back, chest, and knees. They may even appear inside of the mouth, palate, cheeks, gums, and throat. Severity may vary, but most patients experience flare-ups during the summertime when exposed to humidity and heat. Rubbing, scratching, being exposed to ultraviolet lights, minor injuries, and certain medications may worsen the blemishes.

Darier's disease may also be linked with epilepsy, mild intellectual disability, depression, and behavioral problems because of the social stigma felt by those affected. Some patients with Darier's disease can have white and red streaks on the nails as their presentation of trachyonychia. No cure for Darier's disease has been found yet. However, there are specific ways of managing its effects. Although it can be challenging and at times unsatisfactory, treatments may include the use of topical corticosteroids and topical retinoids.

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Patients with pemphigus vulgaris have also reported having symptoms associated with trachyonychia. Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare skin disease commonly seen in middle-aged and older adults. It is caused by a reaction of an autoantibody-mediated response that breaks apart intercellular connections. Over time the condition progresses, and the lesions increase in size and distribution, behaving physiologically like a severe burn. Blisters may commonly appear on the skin and other mucosal membranes, such as the nose, esophagus, genitalia, conjunctiva, and anus. Weight loss and malnutrition may be the result of pain when chewing.

Due to the disease's unusual nature, its diagnosis is very complex and may take some time. A punch biopsy in the area may be needed for an accurate assessment. The most common treatment consists of immunosuppressive medications and corticosteroids. However, some professionals consider monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab the first-line treatment. In the past, the mortality rate for the disease used to be as high as ninety percent. Now, after the advent of modern medicine, it has decreased considerably since the introduction of corticosteroids. Even though it is rare, some pemphigus vulgaris patients may have some nail involvement, such as Beau's lines and trachyonychia.