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Onychomycosis occurs in about 10 percent of the adult population, [2] with older people more frequently affected. [2] Males are affected more often than females. [3] Onychomycosis represents about half of nail disease. [2] It was first determined to be the result of a fungal infection in 1853 by Georg Meissner. [6]
Onychomycosis in every nail of the right foot. Onycholysis is a loosening of the exposed portion of the nail from the nail bed, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing to the lunula. It is frequently associated with an internal disorder, trauma, infection, nail fungi, allergy to nail enhancement products, or side effects of drugs.
Growing older or having poor biomechanics, which are more common in the elderly (e.g., toes that overlap and underlap; incompatibility between the foot and the shoe; or digiti flexi, which is characterized by contracted toes due to toe buckling caused by shortening of the controlling muscles), may be contributing factors. [3]
Chronic paronychia is an infection of the folds of tissue surrounding the nail of a finger or, less commonly, a toe, lasting more than six weeks. [4] It is a nail disease prevalent in individuals whose hands or feet are subject to moist local environments, and is often due to contact dermatitis .
When kept dry and away from further trauma, the nail will reattach from the base upward (i.e., from proximal to distal). The aim of treatment is also to eliminate onychomycosis that is a major cause of onycholysis. Antifungals like terbinafin and itraconazole in the form of oral pills should be given for 6 to 8 weeks. [11]
Bumping of an affected toe can cause pain as the nail's surrounding tissue is punctured further. Ingrown nails can become easily infected unless care is taken early to treat the condition. Signs of infection include redness and swelling of the area around the nail, drainage of pus , and watery discharge tinged with blood.
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[9] [10] These bacteria do not normally survive on dry, healthy skin, but can thrive in moist conditions. [9] The seal between the nail and finger acts as a physical barrier to prevent infection, however hyper-hydration or destruction of the epidermis can impair the barrier, allowing the bacteria to colonise.