No. 33 (2025): Oct - Dec
Case Report

Onychomadesis: a diagnosis at the tip of your hands

Inês Mesquita Caetano
Unidade de Saúde Familiar Linha de Algés, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental
Diana Pereira Fernandes
Unidade de Saúde Familiar Linha de Algés, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental
Mariana Santos
Unidade de Saúde Familiar Quinta das Lindas, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental
Carolina Pereira
Unidade de Saúde Familiar Linha de Algés, Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental
Cristina Pereira
Hospital Pediátrico Universitário de Coimbra, Unidade Local de Saúde de Coimbra

Published 04/11/2026

Keywords

  • Onychomadesis,
  • Hand,
  • Foot and Mouth Disease,
  • Nail Diseases,
  • Viral Diseases

How to Cite

1.
Mesquita Caetano I, Pereira Fernandes D, Santos M, Pereira C, Pereira C. Onychomadesis: a diagnosis at the tip of your hands. Alg Med [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 11 [cited 2026 Apr. 18];(33):24-7. Available from: https://algarvemedico.org/index.php/am/article/view/27

Abstract

Onychomadesis consists of proximal separation of the nail plate from the nail matrix, usually spontaneous and painless, with subsequent nail regrowth, and may affect fingernails or toenails. It has multiple etiologies, and involvement of several nails suggests a systemic cause. Hand, foot, and mouth disease is a viral infection prevalent in childhood, characterized by maculopapular and vesicular lesions of the hands, feet, and oral mucosa. Nail changes represent relatively frequent late complications, typically occurring four to six weeks after disease onset. Recognition of this benign condition is essential to avoid unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, highlighting the importance of careful history taking.

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References

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