Disorders of the Nails and Hair Associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

The document reviewed various nail and hair disorders associated with HIV infection, emphasizing their clinical significance and treatment challenges. Nail disorders like onychomycosis were prevalent in up to 32% of symptomatic HIV patients, with proximal white subungual onychomycosis affecting 88.7% in one study. Hair disorders included severe tinea capitis, changes in hair length and consistency, and alopecia areata. Zidovudine therapy was linked to nail dyschromia in 39% of patients. Recognizing these disorders was crucial for early HIV diagnosis and managing patient discomfort. The document also discussed conditions such as psoriasis, hyperpigmentation of nails, yellow nail syndrome, and hypertrichosis of the eyelashes in AIDS patients.