Warning Signs Of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is responsible for one-third of the fungal skin infections in the world, giving it a place among the most common fungal infections in the world. The infection occurs in the nail bed, plate, or matrix. It's more common for the toenails to be affected than fingernails. The condition makes up half of all cases involving nail disease as well. Most patients with this infection are adults, with those over sixty years old being more susceptible. Reports indicate two to fourteen percent of the population will experience this infection at some point, but some researchers believe the actual incidence may be much higher. The condition can cause multiple issues beyond just cosmetic problems, so diagnosis and treatment are very important.

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Foul Smell Around Nails

A foul smell around the nails is a common sign of nail fungus, though not everyone will experience a foul smell, and the smell might develop after the infection has existed for a while. It's more common for infections to start as small spots that can be easy to ignore at first. Foul smells are the easiest way to differentiate a nail fungus from nail psoriasis. Psoriasis often looks similar to a fungal infection, but it doesn't present with an odor. Also, most patients with nail psoriasis also have general psoriasis. Topical medications can sometimes help treat the fungus. There are a variety of over-the-counter medicines and treatments patients might try to reduce or get rid of the odor. However, to fully eliminate the odor, they'll need to eliminate the fungus at the source. Over-the-counter antifungal agents should be the first course of action, but if those aren't helpful, patients should talk to a doctor. Since nails grow so slowly, it may be a little while before patients see treatment results.

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