Good Afternoon Lions, this week’s skin condition topic is called Pachyonychia Congenita (PC). PC is a very rare genetic disorder that affects the skin and nails. The symptoms usually begin at birth or early in life, and the condition affects people of both sexes and all racial and ethnic groups.
This disorder does not affect lifespan, but almost all patients experience chronic pain that makes walking difficult and sometimes impossible. Patients may use a variety of walking aids and crawling at home is common.
Patients and their relatives should be informed that pachyonychia congenita does not endanger an individual’s life, but it may impair his or her quality of life. The patient may be informed that at present, no effective treatment is available; however, gene therapy treatment may become available in the future.
Thickened nails, or even thickened toenails, painful calluses and blisters, cysts, Leukokeratosis of the oral mucosa, neurovascular, structures in calluses, and deep itches are some common symptoms of the condition.
People who have pachyonychia congenita have a mutation in one of five keratin genes. Researchers have found more than 115 mutations in these genes that are linked to the disorder. In some cases, PC is inherited from a parent, while in others, there is no family history, and the cause is a spontaneous mutation.
Mariah Lay, senior nursing major at Piedmont University agreed to share her knowledge of Pachyonychia Congenita (PC). Mariah said that “While she does not know anyone with PC, she’s knows it’s a very serious condition”.
When asked about what she dose know about PC Mariah said “Pachyonychia congenita (PC) presents clinically as a spectrum of conditions. PC onset is variable with most cases manifesting soon after birth, others becoming clinically apparent only in late childhood and rarely in adulthood. The first signs of the disease usually are thickened nails or neonatal teeth”.
Being an aspiring nurse, Mariah talks about how she has learned of these conditions. For example, Mariah stated while studying or reading her textbook she has seen an example of PC along with some other common skin conditions.
When asked about ways she recommends getting rid of Pachyonychia Congenita (PC), Mariah said “use moisturizing creams or lotions. Moisturizers can soften the skin and prevent cracks. Or even try using a special orthotics or insoles”.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s article! Stay safe Lions, and please tune in next week for an article on Vitiligo.
