Nail Injury and Diquat Exposure

Abstract

Primary fingernail changes that result from chemical exposures are seldom encountered in clinical practice. A cluster investigation was conducted on employees at a pesticide packaging company. Six employees reported simultaneous onset of defects occurring in their fingernails, including nail discoloration, nail dimpling, and nail shedding. Multiple pesticides and herbicides including diquat were used in the facility at the time of the cluster onset. A literature review noted 6 articles published before 1975 documenting similar nail changes associated with paraquat, diquat, or other herbicide use. Only one such case report published after 1985 could be located. Diquat was the only material that was previously reported in the medical literature as causing nail defects and also in use at this facility. Diquat exposure is the most plausible explanation for the observed changes in these workers' fingernails.

Leukonychia: What Can White Nails Tell Us?

“…Direct contact with the nail unit: herbicides: paraquat [ 54 , 55 ], diquat [ 54 , 56 ], dinitro-orthocresol [ 57 ]…”

Human and experimental toxicology of diquat poisoning: Toxicokinetics, mechanisms of toxicity, clinical features, and treatment

“…There are reports that concentrated solutions of DQ can influence the nail growth and cause yellow nail discoloration, dimpling and shedding, and delay the healing of superficial cuts on the hands (Figure 11). 11,197 Clark and Hurst described the appearance of discolored transverse lines, then cracking, and, finally, shedding in the nail following contact with 20% DQ. 99 Toxic effects seems to occur due to local exposure and not by ingestion, as the toenails and asymmetric lesions have been reported.…”

“…99 Toxic effects seems to occur due to local exposure and not by ingestion, as the toenails and asymmetric lesions have been reported. 11,197…”

“…99 Toxic effects seems to occur due to local exposure and not by ingestion, as the toenails and asymmetric lesions have been reported. 11,197 Also, splashes directly into the eye can lead to ocular burn, conjunctivitis, conjunctival congestion ( Figure 11), and corneal scarring. Moreover, a chronic diet administration of DQ can lead to bilateral cataract as was demonstrated for rats and dogs.…”