Fungal Nail Infection: Introduction, Mode of Infection, Symptoms, Predi

Fungal Nail Infection: Introduction, Mode of Infection, Symptoms, Prediposing Factors, Lab Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention and Keynotes

Introduction of Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infection is the common infection of the fingernails or toenails and is also called onychomycosis. This infection can cause the nail to become discolored, thick, and more likely to crack and break.

Mode of Infection of Onychomycosis

Fungal nail infections etiological agents are many different types of fungi (yeasts or molds) that live in the environment. Small cracks in the nail or the surrounding skin can allow these organisms to enter the nail and cause an infection.

Symptoms of Onychomycosis

Discolored (yellow, brown, or white)
An odor coming from the infected nail
Thick
Fragile or cracked
Usually painfulness (Except severe cases)

Predisposing factors of Fungal Nail Infection

Anybody can get a fungal nail infection. However, the following conditions are the predisposing factors of fungal nail infection-

Have a skin injury around the nail
A nail injury or nail surgery
Diabetes
Immunocompromised people
Bleeding disorders
People using immunosuppressive drugs
Athlete’s foot (ringworm on the foot)
Older (over age 65)

Lab Diagnosis of Fungal Nail Infection

KOH mount of Nail clipping: Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a strong base that softens, digests, and clears cellular and keratin debris but leaves fungal hyphae cell wall intact that is resistant to digestion by potassium hydroxide, therefore clearing the background and allows visualization of fungal elements under a microscope.
Fungal culture: Dermatophyte Test Medium (DTM) is preferred since it is a selective and differential medium recommended for the cultivation and isolation of pathogenic dermatophytic fungi. The Dermatophytes are a distinct group of fungi that infect the hair, skin, and nails in humans producing a variety of cutaneous infections known as ringworm. Dermatophytes are a group of three genera like Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermatophyton are responsible for most of the cutaneous fungal infections.
Molecular Test: Molecular diagnosis relates to the direct detection of dermatophyte DNA in clinical specimens.

Treatment of Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infections are difficult to cure without using antifungal drugs. The treatment for a fungal nail infection is cumbersome due to using long-time antifungal drugs. The commonly used antifungal agents are terbinafine, itraconazole, fluconazole, griseofulvin, etc. In severe cases, the complete removal of nails is also recommended. It can take several months to a year to get rid of this infection.

Prevention of Fungal Nail Infection

As you know, prevention is better than cure. The following points are important to avoid fungal nail injection-

Hand and feet should be kept clean and dry.
Always put your nail short and clean.
Avoid nail clippers sharing.
Ignore walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms or showers.
Don’t share nail clippers with other people.
Reducing the use of artificial nails and nail polish

Keynotes

The athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, tinea pedis that usually begins between the toes.
Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection.

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