Swelling of the proximal nail fold caused by underlying warts

We report on 2 cases of patients with warts underlying the proximal nail fo ld which presented as tender erythematous nodules. The remarkable feature i n both cases was a significant oedema of the proximal nail fold, resembling a reaction to a foreign body. One patient responded well to mild keratolyt ic treatment. The second patient was treated surgically with crescentic exc ision of the distal portion of the proximal nail fold. It is important to r ecognise this tumour variant in order to avoid unnecessary or excessive int ervention. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.