title: Green nail syndrome treated with the application of tobramycin eye drop.
abstract: Green nail syndrome (chromonychia) is a nail disorder characterized by onycholysis and green-black discoloration of the nail bed. This condition is often associated with chronic paronychia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most commonly identified organism in cultures from the affected area. Despite the various treatment options available, removal of the nail is still necessary in many cases. A 35-year-old man presented with dark-greenish discoloration of the nail plate and onycholysis on the left thumbnail. He had been treated with oral antifungal and antibiotic agents for several months; however, the lesion showed no improvement. The diagnosis of green nail syndrome was established after a positive bacterial culture, and on the basis of the antibiotic sensitivity test result, tobramycin eye drop (Tobrex®) was then prescribed. Three weeks later, the nail discoloration almost vanished but the onycholysis remained. Herein, we recommend the application of tobramycin eye drop as an easy and safe treatment option for green nail syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Hwaseong, Korea.
authors.forename: Youin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Gang Mo
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sanghoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sung Yul
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Lip
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Park
keywords: Eye drop; Green nail syndrome; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Tobramycin