Foot Facts: Can Ingrown Nails be Caused by Drugs?
December 2000
There are many theories on what causes nails to be ingrown. They range from improper cutting to tight shoes to associated digital deformities like bunions (enlargement of the bone on the side of the big toe). There is truth to all these theories and, sometimes, an ingrown nail can be cured by addressing the causing problem. There are some drugs that can cause changes in the nails, usually affecting the color or texture. Recently a report in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association (JAPMA) discussed certain drugs actually being associated with ingrown and infected nails.
The studies that made the association are primarily from Europe. The drugs involved, antiretroviral medications, are used primarily to treat HIV-infected patients. HIV is the virus that causes A.I.D.S. The cause and effect relationship between the drugs and the changes on the tissue around the nail is not understood. It may be due to the inhibition by the drugs of some natural enzymes in the skin that leads to dryness and thickening of the skin and encourages the nail to become ingrown. The nail then cuts through the skin and an infection can follow. More studies are being done now to study this interesting relationship.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ducach, request an appointment online or call Granite Medical at (617) 471-0033.