Nail changes in construction site workers: an observational study

Background: Nail changes are common in occupational labourers but no studies have been done pertaining to construction site workers. We studied nail changes in labourers working at various construction sites.Methods: 50 labourers of age group 10-65 years and both sexes were enrolled for the study. Changes in nail apparatus were studied by dividing into nail plate, nail bed and nail fold changes.Results: Males outnumbered females in our study. Most of the labourers were in age group of 10-25 years. Most common nail plate changes were Longitudinal ridging and discoloration of nail plate; nail bed were onycholysis, subungual hemorrhage, onycholysis and nail fold changes were absent cuticle and hang nail.Conclusions: Adequate preventive measures are required at construction site workplace to prevent long standing nail sequalae.