Overview
Tinea unguium is a
specific onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nailbed, nail plate, or both)
caused by dermatophytes, as stated in the Introduction
section.
Tinea unguium is a
common fungal nail infection that accounts for about 15% of all nail disorders,
while fungal nail infections comprise approximately 10% of all dermatophytosis
cases. A detailed discussion about the prevalence of tinea unguium is in the Epidemiology section.
Tinea unguium is most
commonly caused by Trichophyton rubrum but may also be caused by yeasts
and non-dermatophyte molds. Discussion on these pathogens is in the Etiology section.
The Pathophysiology section
states that tinea unguium is acquired through direct contact of the nail with
dermatophytes, yeasts, or non-dermatophyte molds in the environment. The
developmental process of tinea unguium in infected patients is in this section.
The Risk Factors section
enumerates the conditions that are associated with the development of tinea
unguium in infected patients.
Discussions on the
different clinical subtypes of tinea unguium are in the Classification section.
Tinea Unguium_Disease SummaryHistory and Physical Examination
The Clinical
Presentation section
describes the clinical features suggestive of onychomycosis.
The History and Physical
Examination sections discuss
the importance of a focused history and a thorough examination of fingernails
and toenails in the evaluation of suspected onychomycosis.
Diagnosis
Discussions on microscopy,
culture, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and histology are in the Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries
section.
Other conditions that
should be ruled out in the diagnosis of tinea unguium are listed in the Differential Diagnosis section.
Management
Indications for treatment and choice of
therapy for onychomycosis are in the Principles
of Therapy section.
The Pharmacological Therapy section discusses therapy options and duration of use for
patients with tinea unguium.
The Nonpharmacological
section enumerates other treatment options such as laser therapy,
photodynamic therapy (PDT) and other alternative therapies in patients with
onychomycosis. Things to educate the patient regarding the management of tinea
unguium are also included in this section.
Indications for
surgical avulsion and debridement as a treatment option for tinea unguium are
in the Surgery section.