Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. This ailment causes nails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split. It may cause pain and difficulty in walking due to pressure inside the shoe and secondary bacterial infection in in skin surrounding the nail. Onychomycosis is not easily identified by its appearance. There are conditions conditions, such as psoriasis and trauma that can mimic the appearance of onychomycosis.
Risk factors making one more susceptible to onychomycosis include:
- Family history
- Advancing age
- Poor health
- Trauma
- Showering in communal showers—such as fitness clubs
- Habitually wearing shoes don’t allow proper airflow
Onychomycosis is generally established by laboratory tests before beginning treatment. Keep in mind that one of the primary reasons for treatment failure is improper diagnosis.
Treatment options vary by individual and severity of the ailment. Talk with your doctor about what treatments will work best for you.
Studies estimate that fungal nail infections affect ten percent of the population. However, podiatrists believe that because so many cases go unreported, the incidence is much higher.
Author: tammy gracen