Does the use of nail cosmetics interfere with the reporting of nailfold capillaroscopy?

Capillaroscopy is a non-invasive tool evaluating the nail-fold capillaries, especially in approach to Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and scleroderma (SSc) spectrum of diseases. It was recommended that the patients should not use any cosmetic procedure involving the nailfold to avoid misinterpretations. Therefore, we aimed to find the problems of using or recent removal of the nail polishes/artificial nails/henna before doing capillaroscopy. During 10 years, we looked for all capillaroscopy reports and nail fold images of patients who referred for capillaroscopy and had used or recently removed nail polish/artificial nail/henna in order to find the presence of any artifacts or misinterpretations in reports. Sixty-three patients were identified that had used or removed the nail cosmetic during 10 days before capillaroscopy. In patients who used nail polish, removed their nail polish, used artificial nails, or removed the artificial nails, and those using henna, 16.2%, 36.4%, 3.8%, 0%, and 1.4% of nail folds showed some stains in the upper part of the nail fold area, respectively, that had no interference with the report due to their distinct color. However, few areas were covered with polish stains in patients who removed the polish recently. The presence of nail cosmetics including nail polishes, henna, and artificial nails at the time of capillaroscopy does not induce a significant misinterpretation in capillaroscopy. However, some colored stains which were mostly distinguishable from hemorrhages could be seen. The removal of them 10 days before the time of capillaroscopy did not decrease the cosmetic artifacts. Key Points • The presence of nail cosmetics including nail polishes, henna, and artificial nails at the time of capillaroscopy does not induce a significant misinterpretation in capillaroscopy. • The removal of nail polish 10 days before the time of capillaroscopy did not decrease the procedure artifacts. • The removal of nail polish 10 days before capillaroscopy increased the area of artifacts and coverage of the study background.
(© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR).)