Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a nail disease caused by dermatophytes invading the nail plate and nail bed. Both fingernails and toenails can be affected, presenting as nail plate turbidity, thickening, separation, discoloration, atrophy, shedding, lifting, uneven surface, onychogryphosis, or pachyonychia. Some patients may also have ingrown nails and paronychia. Clinically, there is another disease called onychomycosis, which refers to nail infections caused by fungi such as dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds. Strictly speaking, tinea unguium is only a part of onychomycosis, but for ease of understanding, the two are usually discussed together.