Onychomadesis in children: think about a late complication of hand-foot-mouth disease

Abstract

Hand foot mouth disease (HFMD) is considered to be the most common infectious disease in association with onychomadesis. Coxsackie A6 may be the major subtype associated with onychomadesis after HFMD. A 2-yearold female child was referred to our department for an acute vesiculobullous eruption since two days with fever. Dermatological examination revealed a vesiculobullous eruption located on her hands and on her feet. Two months later she consulted for changes of her finger nails which appeared since 3 weeks. Her parents denied a nail trauma or fungal infection. The diagnosis of onychomadesis secondary to this HFMD was diagnosed. Physical examination revealed nail matrix arrest on her right index and right middle finger. The nail changes healed spontaneously without medication within two months. Practioners should be aware of this late complication to avoid unnecessary treatments and to recommend a simple follow-up.