Have a tiny hole in nail. Symptoms of median nail dystrophy?

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing in.

Median nail dystrophy or longitudinal splitting or canal formation in the midline of the nail. The split, which often resembles a fir tree, occurs at the cuticle and proceeds outward as the nail grows .

As in your case trauma may be a cause for the dystrophy.


Treatment can be avoidance of trauma.Topical treatment with steroid drops daily or protopic ointment(o.1%) daily can help after 3-6 months of treatment.

Before starting treatment confirmation of diagnosis is must.Habit tic deformity or traumatic dystrophy closely mimics the median nail dystrophy.
If you can upload the photos of the nails it would be of great help in predicting the condition.
Photos can be uploaded by UPLOAD YOUR REPORTS SECTION.

Hope this helps.
I will be available for follow up.

Regards
Dr SUD
MD Dermatology.

---

Hi again XXXXXXX

I was able to view the photo.It does not look like median nail dystrophy.
It is more of traumatic dystrophy .
You should take biotin supplement for atleast 3 months .Biotin is essential for nail growth.Also you should apply betamethasone drops over the proximal nail fold.

If the nail matrix is damaged nail growth may not be normal even after treatment.
If it is intact your nail can grow back at 3 months.
The time for growth of finger nail is 3 months.So 3 month treatment would be needed.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

---