Infectious Diseases Search
Infectious Diseases Infectious Diseases
tinea%20unguium
TINEA UNGUIUM
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail bed, nail plate or both. It is caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte molds and yeast.
Tinea unguium or dermatophytic onychomycosis is a dermatophyte infection of the nail more commonly affecting the toenails than the fingernails.
It is usually asymptomatic and patients first consult for cosmetic reasons.
It is suspected if there are changes in the 3rd or 5th toenail, involvement of the 1st and 5th toenails on the same foot and unilateral nail changes.

Definition

  • Specific onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nailbed, nail plate, or both) caused by dermatophytes
  • Also called dermatophytic onychomycosis; more commonly affects the toenails than the fingernails

Signs and Symptoms

  • Usually asymptomatic & patients first consult for cosmetic reasons
    • Onychomycosis is suspected if there are changes in the 3rd or 5th toenail, involvement of the 1st & 5th toenails on the same foot, & unilateral nail changes
  • Patients may complain of numbness, pain, discomfort affecting manual activities & may cause loss of self-esteem & diminished social interaction
  • May manifest as erythematous swelling of the nail fold (paronychia), separation of the nail plate from its bed
  • Onychomycosis is classified based on route of infection & clinical presentation

Risk Factors

  • Aging, male, peripheral vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus (DM), occlusive footwear, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), presence of Tinea pedis, immunosuppression, atopy, hyperhidrosis, exposure to individuals w/ Tinea pedis or onychomycosis
Digital Edition
Asia's trusted medical magazine for healthcare professionals. Get your MIMS Infectious Diseases - Malaysia digital copy today!
Sign In To Download
Editor's Recommendations
Most Read Articles
Obesity contributes to increased risk of infections in men, women
13 Aug 2019
Individuals with obesity are at an elevated risk of developing infections, particularly that of the skin in both men and women, and those of the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts and sepsis in women only, according to a study.
Influenza ups risk of ICU admission, bacterial pneumonia in children with SRMC
4 days ago
An increase in intensive care unit (ICU) management and bacterial pneumonia development occurs in children with special risk medical conditions (SRMC), but a rise in the probability of death or need for mechanical ventilation remains inconsistent, suggests a recent study.
Amoxicillin–clavulanate still BEST for kids with bronchiectasis
Pearl Toh, 30 Aug 2019
Oral amoxicillin–clavulanate effectively promotes resolution of nonsevere acute exacerbations in children with non-cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis, thus confirming the role of amoxicillin–clavulanate as first-line treatment for bronchiectasis, according to results from the three-arm BEST-1 study.