Fungal Nail Infection (Onychomychosis)

Fungal infection of the nails, also known as onychomycosis is an increasingly common condition. Especially with increased age and it rarely affects children.

 

Symptoms

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Onychomycosis may affect one or more toenails and/ or fingernails and most often involves the great toenail or the little toenail. Its presentation generally consists the following: 

• Thickened

• Whitish to yellow-brown discoloration

• Brittle, crumbly or ragged

• Distorted in shape

• A dark color, caused by debris (powder-like) building up under your nail

• Smelling slightly foul

• Lifting / gaps under nail

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It can present in one or several different patterns.​

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• Superficial white onychomycosis — flaky white patches and pits appear on the top of the nail plate.

• Distal Subungal Onychomycosis — yellow discolouration and lifting of the nail appears on the top half of the nail

• Proximal onychomycosis — yellow discolouration appears on the bottom portion of the nail - near the half-moon structure (lunula).

• Dystrophic Onychomycosis — Partial/complete destruction of the nail.

 

Risk Factors

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• Trauma to the nails

• Existing tinea pedis [athlete's foot]

• Immunocompromised conditions

• Visiting pedicure (risk of cross-contamination)

• Poor hygiene

• Occlusive footwear

• hyperhydrosis (sweaty feet) 

• Warm, humid climate (fungus survives and proliferates in warm, humid and dark environment)

• Family history ( risk of cross-contamination)

• Communal baths

• Poor blood circulation

• Candida/ Yeast gut infection

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Fungal nail or psoriatic nail?

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​Both of this conditions may have very similar presenting features. It is very important to identify the correct condition, in order to treat it effectively.

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