What Big Toe On My Right Foot Developed A Large Red And Purple Moon Shaped Mark Around The Cuticle?

Posted on Sun, 11 Oct 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 Answered on

Thu, 5 Jun 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been getting pedicures every two weeks for years without problems. This year the big toe on my right foot developed a large red and purple moon shaped mark around the cuticle area and all my toes are very itchy. During the pandemic, when everything was closed down, it cleared up. i have started getting pedicures again and the problem came back. They use plenty of sanitizer in the water and sanitize their pedicure tools. What could be wrong?

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be irritant dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Ask A Doctor service
I have gone through your query and seems to be related to contact dermatitis either to the sanitizer or nail lacquer.
I would recommend you to stop applying nail polish or sanitizer on the affected areas for sometime.
Also apply topical steroid like cortisone cream on the affected areas twice daily and take antihistaminic like tablet cetrizine 10 mg once daily for 2 weeks.
Also keep the nails and feet moisturized.
This should help in resolving your problem.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj