Photo-Onycholysis Due to Tetracycline Hydrochloride and Doxycycline

Abstract

It has been reported that demeclocycline hydrochloride (Declomycin) may cause photoonycholysis. Three cases of this phenomenon occurred following the ingestion of either tetracycline hydrochloride or doxycycline (Vibramycin). Two of our patients, being lifeguards, were shoeless for a considerable portion of each day. They had onycholysis of the toenails, as well as of the fingernails.