Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails developed by mentagrophytes or trichophyton rubrum. The medical term tinea unguium is mostly used for describing persistent dermatophytic onychomycosis.This nail disease has an impact on the sufferer's life. Onychogryphosis is a deformation of the claw. It appears to be elongated and distorted.
Onychogryphosis can be caused by several factors, including poor blood supply, infection, injuries, diabetes, or the inadequate intake of nutrients. One of the most important elements to succeed eradicating the Onychogryphosis is patience. Some treatments last for at least 3 months but often take even longer to work because it can take up to 18 months for a nail to be replaced completely by a new one. Onychogryphosis may be due to trauma and permanent shoe pressure. Anomalies of foot position have a promoting effect. In most of cases, other fungi may be developed onychomycosis such as:
Aspergillus spp.
Fusarium oxysporum
Acremonium spp.
Candida spp.
Causes of Onychomycosis:
dermatophytes . Trichophyton rubrum is the principal agent causing both onychomycosis and tinea pedis, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes
The immune deficiency can also lead to this condition
A history of athlete's foot and excess perspiration are also risk factors.
To some extant, the family history is also responsible for the development of this disease.
The trauma and living in the warm climate , are also the main cause of onychomycosis.
Treatments for Onychomycosis
Oral anti-fungus medications are beneficial to reduce the symptoms of onychomycosis.
The treatment of the Onychogryphosis can reduce the thickness by cutting and filing the nail or by means of surgical procedures removing the nail under the aid of local analgesia.
Diflucan is also used to treat onychomycosis, but it can be an alternative to terbinafine or itraconazole.
Some drugs such as terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconaole are also used to treat onychomycosis.
Penlac topical therapy is the best option to reduce onychomycosis.
Allylamines, sodium phyrithione, imidazoles, propylene glycol-urea-lactic acid or bifonazole are very useful to treat onychomycosis. Some treatments last for at least 3 months but often take even longer to work because it can take up to 18 months for a nail to be replaced completely by a new one.
The preventive measures for onychogryphosis are - avoid tight fitting foot wear, avoid nail polish, nails should be kept trimmed.
In some cases, doctor recommends untramicrosize griseofulvin to treat this nail disorder.
