Retronychia: A comprehensive review of etiologies, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, and management
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Maryam M. Alfaraj 1 * , Almakrami Mohammed 2 , Ziyad A. Aljabr 3 , Aljawharah K. Alsaleh 4 , Shahad K. Al-Ghanem 5 , Shatha A. Alotaibi 6 , Juman O. Alammar 7 , Sara H. Al Breiki 1 8
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1 College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA2 Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical School, University of Szeged, Szeged, HUNGARY3 College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA4 College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA5 College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA6 College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA7 College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA8 Department of Dermatology, King Fahad University Hospital, AlKhobar, SAUDI ARABIA* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Retronychia, a rare nail disorder that includes the ingrowth of the proximal nail plate into the proximal nail fold. This condition often leads to the misplacement of nail plates and significant discomfort for patients. It mainly affects younger females, and is more frequently observed in toenails, especially the big toe. Patients typically present with symptoms such as redness, pain, inflammation, and discharge from the affected area. This condition is often misdiagnosed, which can result in chronic pain and further complications. This narrative review aims to consolidate and analyze the existing literature on retronychia, encompassing its pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical features, classification, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. By providing a comprehensive overview, this work seeks to serve as a crucial resource for healthcare professionals and researchers. Ultimately, enhancing awareness and understanding of retronychia can lead to improved diagnosis and management strategies for affected individuals.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Review Article

ELECTRON J GEN MED, Volume 22, Issue 6, December 2025, Article No: em692

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/17168

Publication date: 01 Nov 2025

Online publication date: 30 Sep 2025

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Article Downloads: 7

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