Fungal nails can lead to both tinea pedis and other dermatom

Onychomycosis accounts for roughly half of all nail complaints sent to dermatologists. 2761 patients with toenail onychomycosis were registered in Poland between September 2004 and April 2005. Dermatophytes showed to be the most common fungal pathogen isolated ? most commonly Trichophyton rubrum ? together with a small amount of yeasts and molds cases.

Almost half of the patients with toenail onchomycosis had concomitant fungal skin infections which included:

- tinea pedis (33.8%)
- fingernegl onychomycosis (7.4%)
- tinea corporis (2.1%); tinea manuum (1.6%) og
- tinea capitis (0.5%).

Most of the patients suffered from bilateral infection, which also increased the risk of recurrence. Especially men aged 30 or more are at risk of having a toenail infectious reservoir, needing effective eradication before other skin sites can be cured from chronic fungal infection.

 

References: Szepietowski, JC, Reich, A & Garlowska E, Kulig M, Baran E. Factors Influencing Coexistence of Toenail Onychomycosis With Tinea Pedis and Other Dermatomycoses: A survey of 2761 Patients. Archives of Dermatology. 2006; 142:1279-1284. Accessed 9th of February 2007 at www.medscape.com