Onychomycosis

Infection of the nails (tinea unguium or Onychomycosis) occurs in many patients with tinea pedis and is characterized by opacified, thickened nails and subungual debris. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails.

Types of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is divided into subtypes. The main subtypes of onychomycosis are distal lateral subungual (the area under the nail) onychomycosis (DLSO or DSO), white superficial onychomycosis (WSO), proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO), endonyx onychomycosis (EO), and candidal onychomycosis. People with onychomycosis may have a combination of these subtypes. Total dystrophic onychomycosis is the term used to refer to the most advanced form of any subtype.

What are mycosis and onychomycosis ?

Mycosis is an infectious disease caused by fungi (mushrooms). Some kinds of fungi got used to live as parasites on human skin, nails and hair. They cannot live without destruction of corneous layer of skin, and therefore they transit from one man to another.

Yeast infection of skin ( dermatomycosis ) and nails ( onychomycosis ) are widely prevalent. Around 10% of population has it, and some inquiries show the figure of 20-30%. During the last 10 years sickness rate increased more than twice.

Causes of Onychomycosis

The primary fungi that cause onychomycosis are trichophyton rubrum and trichophyton mentagrophytes. They are dermatophytes (fungi that infect hair, skin, and nails) and feed on keratinized (nail) tissue. The infections they cause are normally confined to the nails, but occasionally spread to the surrounding skin.

Treating Onychomycosis - What are the treatment option available for Onychomycosis?

Terbinafine and itraconazole are the therapeutic agents of choice. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not labeled fluconazole for the treatment of onychomycosis, early efficacy data are promising. With careful monitoring, patients treated with the newer antifungal agents have a good chance of achieving relief from onychomycosis and its complications.

Precaution of Onychomycosis

If a member of your family is infected by this disorder, never use his slippers, towels and socks. It is important to observe cleanliness in your place, especially in the bathroom, through usage of disinfectants. Development of yeast infection can be prevented by correcting the heightened sweaty or dryness of foot's skin. Yeast disease of foot skin also should be treated in time.