Onychogryphosis : a treatment with phenol derivatives and tocopherol instead of surgery , according to the ancient method employed in XIX century

Ram’s horn nails can develop at a variety of ages depending on the underlying cause. It can be especially problematic for young adults and older adults. In case of this syndrome it is necessary to seek a specific treatment. The condition will get worse with time, and can also cause: ingrown nails; pain; infection; inability to pursue physical activities like sports or physically active careers; time away from work.


Sir,
Onychogryphosis is a nail disease that causes one side of the nail to grow faster than the other. The nickname for this disease is ram's horn nails because the nails are thick and curvy, like horns or claws. Onychogryphosis mostly affects the toes -specifically the big toes. The morphology of injured nail seems an oyster shell.
In case of onychogryphosis, nails will look: yellow or brown; unusually thick; long (extending beyond the toe); curved Ram's horn nails can develop at a variety of ages depending on the underlying cause. It can be especially problematic for young adults and older adults. In case of this syndrome it is necessary to seek a specific treatment. The condition will get worse with time, and can also cause: ingrown nails; pain; infection; inability to pursue physical activities like sports or physically active careers; time away from work.

Ichthyosis
Ichthyosis is a rare skin condition that prohibits the body from shedding dead skin cells. A common symptom of this genetic condition is thickened or deformed nails, which can turn into onychogryphosis in some cases. Ichthyosis is normally diagnosed at birth when a baby is born with collodion membrane on their skin. Topical creams and oral retinoids are the most common treatment methods. If onychogryphosis develops, surgery may be necessary.

Tuberous sclerosis complex
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disease that causes benign tumors to grow throughout the body. TSC is typically diagnosed because of the skin problems associated with it, including nail deformities. While the nail deformities go away in some cases, they may get worse over time, turning into ram's horn nails. Other symptoms of TSC include cognitive impairment, autism, and seizures. Treatment for ram's horn nails associated with TSC is surgery.
Surgery is generally the only accepted treatment option for onychogryphosis [1]. The type and frequency of the surgery, however, is based on the cause of ram's horn nails. If the condition is genetic, the patient may have to get the same surgery multiple times as the nails grow back. If the cause is less severe, such as foot trauma or infection, it is advisable to perform surgery to correct the problem. Nails should be clipped straight across rather than curved to avoid ingrown nails. The patient who has been cured should also wear clean cotton socks that can absorb moisture and help prevent fungal infections.
Additional treatment methods may be used to address the underlying cause of ram's horn nails to prevent the condition from developing [2].
The managing of ram's horn nails, keeping on account that they are also painful and can severely impact the quality of life [3].
While it's not always possible to prevent onychogryphosis, here follows a few simple saga cities and shrewd nesses a patient can do to promote nail health [4].
• keep nails trimmed short • cut nails so they are straight, rather than curved at the edges • wear shoes that fit and have enough room in the toe box • wear cotton socks that absorb moisture • change socks regularly • wear gloves when handling chemicals Ram's horn nails can be also treated by: • wearing adapted shoes • regularly visiting a podiatrist The AA have decided to revisit the ancient method of curing this disease.
In XIX century, when only wealthy person could afford hygienic accommodations, this nail disease was treated using phenol. Now pure phenol was isolated in 1834 and its structure proved in 1842. In 1860 Küchenmeister first used phenol as a wound dressing in Germany [5].
Today phenol is not allowed as cosmetic ingredient but the AA have created a mix of phenol derivatives that are allowed in INCI and have treated a severe case of onychogryphosis, obtaining excellent results.
The AA have chosen a single case of a man (86 y. old) with a severe onychogryphosis (in the left big toe).
The nail was yellowish-greenish and horny.
The combination the AA have used was based on these five phenol derivatives, that are admitted in INCI.
The solvent was amylic alcohol and the cosmetic system was similar to a nail enameling and was applied thanks to a little brush on the big toe.
The treatment lasted 3 weeks, but the beginning of the remission was evident after the 5 th day.
The nail of big toe grows softer and softer during the first 5 days and after for 6 days the colour of the nail begins to assume a whitish and transluce nt.
After the 18 sth day the nail can be cut and modelled.