Onychomycosis: Difference between revisions

Onychomycosis
	Onychomycosis affecting the toenails
Synonyms	Tinea unguium
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Nail discoloration, nail thickening, nail crumbling
Complications	Cellulitis, pain, discomfort
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Long-term
Types	N/A
Causes	Fungal infection (commonly dermatophytes, yeasts, non-dermatophyte molds)
Risks	Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, immunosuppression
Diagnosis	Clinical examination, nail culture, KOH test
Differential diagnosis	Psoriasis, lichen planus, trauma
Prevention	Proper foot hygiene, keeping feet dry, avoiding shared nail tools
Treatment	Antifungal medication (oral or topical), nail removal
Medication	Terbinafine, Itraconazole, Ciclopirox
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 05:59, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
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Onychomycosis, commonly known as nail fungus, is a fungal infection that affects either the toenails or fingernails. Predominantly, it manifests as discoloration and thickening of the nails, often proving to be a chronic and recurrent condition.

Symptoms and Signs[edit]

Onychomycosis can cause a range of changes in the appearance of the nail. These include discoloration (typically white or yellow), thickening of the nail, buildup of debris under the nail, and the nail becoming brittle, distorted or ragged.

Causes[edit]

Onychomycosis is primarily caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus. However, other types of fungi (such as yeasts and molds) can also be involved. The condition can be contracted in damp communal areas, like gyms or swimming pools, or from close contact with infected individuals.

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis is typically made through clinical examination of the nails, but can be confirmed by testing a sample of the nail in the laboratory for the presence of fungi.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment options for onychomycosis include topical antifungal medications, oral antifungal drugs, and in some cases, surgical removal of the nail. Laser therapy has also emerged as a treatment modality. However, treatment can be challenging due to the slow growth of nails and the potential for recurrence of infection.

Prognosis[edit]

While onychomycosis is typically not life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort and may impact quality of life, especially in those with coexisting conditions such as diabetes or immunodeficiency. With treatment, the condition can be managed effectively, though recurrence is common.

References[edit]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
+| name            = Onychomycosis
+| image           = [[File:Oncymycosis.JPG|left|thumb|Onychomycosis affecting the toenails]]
+| caption         = Onychomycosis affecting the toenails
+| field           = [[Dermatology]]
+| synonyms        = Tinea unguium
+| symptoms        = [[Nail discoloration]], [[nail thickening]], [[nail crumbling]]
+| complications   = [[Cellulitis]], [[pain]], [[discomfort]]
+| onset           = Gradual
+| duration        = Long-term
+| causes          = [[Fungal infection]] (commonly [[dermatophytes]], [[yeasts]], [[non-dermatophyte molds]])
+| risks           = [[Diabetes]], [[peripheral vascular disease]], [[immunosuppression]]
+| diagnosis       = [[Clinical examination]], [[nail culture]], [[KOH test]]
+| differential    = [[Psoriasis]], [[lichen planus]], [[trauma]]
+| prevention      = [[Proper foot hygiene]], [[keeping feet dry]], [[avoiding shared nail tools]]
+| treatment       = [[Antifungal medication]] (oral or topical), [[nail removal]]
+| medication      = [[Terbinafine]], [[Itraconazole]], [[Ciclopirox]]
+| frequency       = Common
+}}
 '''Onychomycosis''', commonly known as '''nail fungus''', is a fungal infection that affects either the toenails or fingernails. Predominantly, it manifests as discoloration and thickening of the nails, often proving to be a chronic and recurrent condition.
-[[File:Onychomycosis (tinea unguium).jpg|thumb|Onychomycosis (tinea unguium)]]
+[[File:Onychomycosis (tinea unguium).jpg|left|thumb|Onychomycosis (tinea unguium)]]
 == Symptoms and Signs ==
 Onychomycosis can cause a range of changes in the appearance of the nail. These include discoloration (typically white or yellow), thickening of the nail, buildup of debris under the nail, and the nail becoming brittle, distorted or ragged.
-[[File:Nagelpilz-3.jpg|thumb|Nagelpilz-3]]
+[[File:Nagelpilz-3.jpg|left|thumb|Nagelpilz-3]]
 == Causes ==
 Onychomycosis is primarily caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus. However, other types of fungi (such as yeasts and molds) can also be involved. The condition can be contracted in damp communal areas, like gyms or swimming pools, or from close contact with infected individuals.
 == Diagnosis ==
 Diagnosis is typically made through clinical examination of the nails, but can be confirmed by testing a sample of the nail in the laboratory for the presence of fungi.
 == Treatment ==
 Treatment options for onychomycosis include topical antifungal medications, oral antifungal drugs, and in some cases, surgical removal of the nail. Laser therapy has also emerged as a treatment modality. However, treatment can be challenging due to the slow growth of nails and the potential for recurrence of infection.
 == Prognosis ==
 While onychomycosis is typically not life-threatening, it can cause significant discomfort and may impact quality of life, especially in those with coexisting conditions such as diabetes or immunodeficiency. With treatment, the condition can be managed effectively, though recurrence is common.
 ==See Also==
 * [[Tinea pedis]]
@@ Line 21: / Line 37: @@
 == References ==
 {{Reflist}}
 [[Category:Skin diseases]]
 [[Category:Dermatology]]
 [[Category:Fungal diseases]]
 == External links ==
 * [https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/nail-fungus-overview American Academy of Dermatology - Nail fungus]
 * [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC88907/ PubMed Central - Onychomycosis: Current Trends in Diagnosis and Treatment]
 == Further Reading ==
 * Gupta AK, Daigle D, Foley KA. Network meta-analysis of the outcome 'participant complete clearance' in non-immunocompromised participants of eight interventions for the treatment of onychomycosis. British Journal of Dermatology. 2015.
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