Publication:

Nail changes in construction site workers: an observational study

Background Nail changes are common in occupational labourers but no studies have been done pertaining to construction site workers. We studied nail changes in labourers working at various construction sites.

Methods 50 labourers of age group 10-65 years and both sexes were enrolled for the study. Changes in nail apparatus were studied by dividing into nail plate, nail bed and nail fold changes.

Results Males outnumbered females in our study. Most of the labourers were in age group of 10-25 years. Most common nail plate changes were Longitudinal ridging and discoloration of nail plate; nail bed were onycholysis, subungual hemorrhage, onycholysis and nail fold changes were absent cuticle and hang nail.

Conclusions Adequate preventive measures are required at construction site workplace to prevent long standing nail sequalae.