Greenish discoloration due to gel nail extensions mimicking <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> infection: Is beauty really worth the risk: A case report

Over the past decades, the commercialization of nail cosmetics has increased. From nail polishes to artificial nails, different methods of nail beautification have emerged. Knowledge of the safety and efficacy of nail products is very important as nail products such as nail polish, nail polish removers, and artificial nails have several adverse effects. Harmful substances such as toluene sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin and methacrylates have been identified in commercial nail products, leading to several adverse effects, such as allergic contact dermatitis. Here, we report a case of a healthy young female, who developed greenish discoloration of nails following the removal of gel nail extensions, which need to be differentiated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection and other causes such as fungal infection, subungual hematoma, and malignant melanoma, as early diagnosis may help in initiating the specific treatment, hence saving time and the need for unnecessary laboratory investigations.