Treatment of nail diseases in the emergency department

Abstract

Background

Although Americans seek care for their nail diseases on an outpatient basis, they also seek nail care in the setting of the emergency department (ED).

Purpose

This study aims to characterize the treatment of nail diseases at ED visits in the United States from 2009–2018.

Methods

Data from 2009–2018 was collected from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for EDs.

Results

There was an estimated 1.54 (95% CI [1.35, 1.74]) million nail visits to the ED from 2009–2018. Whites accounted for the most visits (57%), followed by African Americans (21%). 25–44-year-olds was the age group with the most visits. The South was the region with the most visits (33%). The most common diagnosis was paronychia (42%). Treatments for paronychia included oral antibiotics, incision and drainage, or both.

Limitations

The accuracy of reporting the correct diagnosis remains the biggest limitation.

Conclusions

Nail disease visits accounted for over a million visits to the ED from 2009–2018. All ages and sexes were represented in these visits. Paronychia made up the largest portion of visits and was treated with oral antibiotics, incision and drainage, or both.

Keywords:

• Health services research
• dermatology
• skin diseases
• health care quality
• access
• and evaluation

Disclosure statement

Dr. Fleischer is a consultant for Dermavant, Incyte, Qurient and SCM Lifescience. He is an investigator for Trevi and Galderma.

Additional information

Funding

This article has no direct funding source. This work has not been presented or submitted previously. Reprints will not be available. IRB Statement: Human data were deidentified and from CDC public use dataset.