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Onychomycosis: beyond cosmetic distress
Author(s) -
Lateur Nadine
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00246.x
Subject(s) - medicine , nail (fastener) , dermatology , distress , antifungal , disease , nail disease , quality of life (healthcare) , intensive care medicine , surgery , pathology , psoriasis , clinical psychology , materials science , nursing , metallurgy
Summary Onychomycosis, or fungal infection of the nail, is the most common nail disease affecting children (although to a lesser extent) as well as adults. The distress it provokes is not only of a cosmetic kind; it may impair the quality of life. The different clinical types of onychomycosis should be differentiated from similar‐looking nail diseases. As far as therapy is concerned, the appearance of new antifungal drugs in the 1990s makes our job easier, but it does not allow us to cure 100% of the patients. Relapses still exist. The aim of this article is to help dermatologists achieve a tailor‐made treatment for their patients. The clinical type, the compulsory mycological investigations, the age of the patient, his medical history (drug intake), as well as the use of nail cosmetics, must be considered.