Health

What is a glomus tumor?

September 01, 2001 | Bookmark +

I had a client with a nail tumor who was reluctant to go to the doctor. We made her go and it was removed and biopsied. They said it was a glomus tumor. What is this?

Answer

Dr. Rich: A glomus tumor is a benign (harmless) tumor of the nail bed. Its hallmark is pain and tenderness (sometimes in response to pressure and cold) or spontaneous pain. It often appears as a small red or pink area under the nail plate, but sometimes it is difficult to see. Glomus tumors are composed of blood vessels, which is why they appear red. The treatment for a glomus tumor is surgical removal. This treatment has a good outcome and the nail usually grows back without any permanent damage.

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What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

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What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

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