Green nail syndrome complicated by pseudomonal keratitis in a teenager with artificial nails

Abstract

Green nail syndrome (GNS) is a pseudomonal nail infection that presents with characteristic green nail discoloration. It typically affects patients with preexisting nail conditions or chronic exposure to wet environments but can also be seen with local trauma. Our patient presented with a pseudomonal corneal ulcer of the left eye and was incidentally found to have GNS, which developed after home artificial nail application. This unusual case of extensive pediatric GNS illustrates a rare and serious infectious complication of prolonged artificial nails.

Keywords: Pseudomonas; artificial nails; corneal ulceration; green nail syndrome; keratitis.