Unique Variation of Barber’s Disease: A Case Report

Barber’s disease is an occupational-related disease in which small hair fragments penetrate the dermis of the hand. Although there is limited literature related to the topic, barber’s disease classically involves the interdigital space of hairdressers’ hands. In this case report, we report an undescribed variation of the condition. The case involves a female hair stylist who presented to the office with numerous hair splinters under the nail plate of her dominant thumb. Subsequent evaluation revealed cystic destruction of the distal phalanx of the thumb. Despite preoperative suspicion for osteomyelitis, pathology revealed reactive bone fragments associated with surrounding tenosynovial tissue and no evidence of osteomyelitis. The proposed etiology of this finding is the inflammatory process related to a hair abscess that formed with a sinus originating in the lateral nail fold. The goal of the case report is to bring to light yet another variation of barber’s disease.