Understanding Onychomycosis Resolving Diagnostic Dilemmas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-1-2016

Publication Title

Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery

Keywords

Age Distribution, Diabetes Complications, Diagnosis, Differential, Foot Dermatoses, Humans, Onychomycosis, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Trichophyton, United States

Abstract

No scientifically rigorous, large, prospective studies have been done to document the true prevalence of onychomycosis; the reported rates vary mainly by climate and by population, but the overall prevalence in the United States is estimated to be at least 10%. Advanced age and diabetes are the most commonly reported risk factors for onychomycosis. The differential diagnosis of onychomycosis is lengthy, and visual inspection alone is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis-direct microscopic examination of a wet-mount preparation with 10% to 20% potassium hydroxide is the first-line diagnostic test.

Medical Subject Headings

Age Distribution; Diabetes Complications; Diagnosis, Differential; Foot Dermatoses; Humans; Onychomycosis; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Trichophyton; United States

PubMed ID

27074698

Volume

35

Issue

3 Suppl 3

First Page

48

Last Page

50

Share

COinS