Tinea%20unguium Signs and Symptoms
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