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Fungal Nail Infections
Topic Overview
What is a fungal nail infection?
A fungal nail infection occurs when a
fungus attacks a fingernail, a toenail, or the skin
under the nail, called the nail bed. Fungi (plural of fungus) can attack your
nails through small cuts in the skin around your nail or through the opening
between your nail and nail bed.
See a picture of a
fungal
nail infection .
If you are healthy, a fungal nail infection probably won't cause
serious problems. But sometimes it may look bad, hurt, or damage your nail or
nail bed.
A fungal nail infection could lead to more serious problems if
you have diabetes or a weak immune system. Talk to your doctor about the best
way to treat a nail infection if you have one of these problems.
What causes a fungal nail infection?
Yeasts, molds, and different kinds of fungi can cause fungal nail
infections. Most are caused by the same type of fungus that causes
athlete's foot.
Fungi grow best in warm, moist places, and they can spread from
person to person. You can get a fungal nail infection from walking barefoot in
public showers or pools or by sharing personal items, such as towels and nail
clippers. If you have athlete's foot, the fungus can spread from your skin to
your nails.
You are more likely to get a nail infection if you:
- Are older than 60.
- Have
diabetes or a weak immune system.
- Have a nail injury like a
hangnail or an ingrown toenail.
- Wear shoes that make your feet
moist or sweaty.
- Live or work in a hot, humid place.
What are the symptoms?
A nail with a fungal infection may:
- Turn yellow or white.
- Get
thicker.
- Crumble and split, and it may separate from the
skin.
When you have a fungal nail infection, it can be uncomfortable or
even painful to wear shoes, walk, or stand for a long time. The fungus could
also spread to other nails or your skin. Over time, the infection can cause
permanent damage to your nail or nail bed.
How is a fungal nail infection diagnosed?
Your doctor will diagnose a fungal nail infection by looking at
the nail, asking about your symptoms and past health, and possibly doing tests
to look for fungi. Finding out what is causing the infection can help you get
the best treatment.
How is it treated?
Whether to treat a fungal nail infection is up to you. If it is
not treated, it won't go away, and it might get worse. But fungal infections
can be hard to treat. If you do treat it, you could spend a lot of money, and
the treatment might not work.
If you decide to treat a fungal nail infection, you can try an
antifungal cream, lotion, or nail polish. You can buy some types without a
prescription, or your doctor can prescribe a stronger one. You may need to use
this medicine for a few weeks or for as long as a year. Even so, it may not get
rid of the infection.
Antifungal pills give the best chance of curing a severe fungal
nail infection, but they cost a lot and have serious side effects. You will
need to see your doctor for regular testing if you take these pills. You should
not take them if you have liver or heart problems.
How can you prevent a fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infections often come back after treatment. It is
important to take steps to prevent this.
- Before bed, wash and dry your feet
carefully. Then apply an antifungal product, such as Lamisil or
Penlac.
- Choose shoes that fit well and let your feet “breathe.”
Let shoes dry for 24 hours before you wear them again.
- Wear cotton
socks. Change them if your feet get sweaty.
- Do not share nail
files or clippers, socks, towels, or other personal items.
- Wear
flip-flops or shower sandals in wet public areas, such as locker rooms or
showers.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Living with a fungal nail
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Health Tools
Health tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.
Cause
Fungal nail infections can be caused by three
different types of fungus, alone or in combination.
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Dermatophytes are a type
of fungus that can grow on the skin, hair, and nails. They do not invade the
deeper tissues of the body. The most common dermatophyte, Trichophyton rubrum, causes most cases of
athlete's foot infection, which in turn can infect the
toenails. Dermatophytes can be transmitted by direct contact or by contact with
objects such as clothing, shoes, nail clippers, nail files, shower and locker
room floors, and carpet. Dermatophytes cause about 90% of fungal toenail
infections.1
-
Yeasts
are a type of fungus that grows on the skin and nails. They are normally
present on the human body. Various factors such as illness, antibiotic or birth
control pill use, and immune system problems may allow an overgrowth of yeast,
leading to a yeast infection.
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Molds (often
called nondermatophytes) are a type of fungus that commonly grows in soil and
can grow on the skin and nails. They are not usually passed between
people.
Fungal infections are
classified by where they begin and what they affect.
Most fungal nail infections affect the skin under the nail (nail bed) and the
nail itself (nail plate).
Toenails are more likely to become infected when
ingrown or injured, as from frequent nail trimming.
For more information, see the topic
Ingrown Toenail.
A condition called onycholysis, the separation of the nail from the
skin beneath, can increase the risk of fungal nail infections.
You can get a fungal nail infection when you come in contact with
the fungus and it begins to grow on or under your nail. Fungi grow best in
warm, moist areas, such as the area around the toes. But you can have fungi on
your skin without developing a nail infection. You have to be likely to get the
infection (susceptible) for it to develop. If you are susceptible
to fungal infections, they tend to return, even after successful treatment and
especially if you do not take preventive steps.
It is not clear why some people are more susceptible to fungal
infections than other people.
Symptoms
Symptoms of
fungal nail infections vary; your symptoms will depend
on the
type of infection you have. An infection can cause
discomfort but is usually not painful.
Athlete's foot is often present.
Distal subungual onychomycosis, the most common fungal
nail infection, is caused by dermatophytes. It affects both the nail and the
skin underneath the nail (nail bed). Dermatophytes cause 90% of all fungal
toenail infections.1 Symptoms include:
- Yellow streaks in the nail bed and on the
underside of the nail.
- Buildup of bits and pieces of skin and nail
fragments (debris) under the nail.
- A discolored and thickened nail
that may separate from the skin under the nail.
- A brittle, broken,
and thickened nail.
White superficial onychomycosis is a fungal
infection of the nail surface. It is the second most common fungal nail
infection and is also caused by dermatophytes. Symptoms include:
- White spots or streaks on the nail
surface.
- Soft and powdery nail surface, as the infection gets
worse.
- Damaged, crumbly, and brown or gray nail surface. However,
the nail does not separate from the skin underneath.
Two other
types of fungal nail infections are rare.
Candida onychomycosis is a yeast infection of the nail
that causes about 1% of fungal nail infections. Proximal subungual
onychomycosis accounts for less than 1% of all fungal nail infections but
affects many people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).2
Conditions with similar symptoms
Only about 50% of all nail infections are fungal
infections.3 Conditions with similar symptoms
include:
-
Eczema, a
long-lasting skin disorder that may result in thickened and scaly skin. When it
occurs on the hands, it may look like a fungal infection of a
fingernail.
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Psoriasis, a long-lasting skin
condition that causes raised red or white patches topped with silvery, scaling
skin. The patches can appear on the nails. However, the pitting of the nails
that occurs in psoriasis does not happen in fungal nail infections.
-
Reiter's syndrome, a bacterial infection that may
result in changes of the nails.
- Pachyonychia (elephant nail), a
very thick fingernail or toenail.
- Darier disease, an inherited skin
disease in which the skin slowly hardens.
-
Lichen planus,
an uncommon, recurring skin disease that results in itchy, shiny, reddish
purple spots on the skin.
- Norwegian scabies, a rare and severe form
of
scabies.
What Happens
Fungal nail infections generally progress very slowly.
The rate at which a fungal infection progresses depends on:
- Your overall health and
susceptibility to the infection.
- The level
of humidity and heat in your environment.
- The type of nail
infected. Fungal nail infections of the toenail have more time to grow and
spread because toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.
You may first notice a fungal nail infection when a nail or skin
under the nail (nail bed) becomes discolored, damaged, thickened, or broken. If
not treated, a fungal infection is likely to worsen and spread to other parts
of the nail, the nail bed, and possibly the surrounding skin. Over time, the
whole nail may become infected and damaged and may eventually fall out.
Fungal nail infections can be treated successfully; however, some
types are more easily treated than others. The most
common type, distal subungual onychomycosis, can be a lifelong infection and
hard to treat. Another type, white superficial onychomycosis, can be easily
treated. Even after treatment, your nails may continue to look irregular in
shape and appearance. It can take a year or longer before they return to
normal.
Fungal nail infections often return. Of people successfully
treated with antifungal pills, 15% to 20% develop another infection in the next
year.4 After treatment, take steps to prevent
reinfection, such as using antifungal creams and keeping your feet dry.
If a fungal nail infection is making it difficult to walk, you may
have decreased blood circulation in your extremities, such as feet and toes.
This can worsen foot
ulcers in people with
diabetes and ulcers caused by poor circulation (venous
skin ulcer).
Bacterial infection can develop as a complication of a fungal nail
infection. A common bacterial infection, acute
paronychia, causes inflammation and swelling of the
skin and tissues near a fingernail or toenail.
Quality of life
Although a fungal nail disorder is not dangerous to your health,
it can affect your quality of life. You may avoid some activities because of
the appearance of your nails and fear of spreading the disease to others. Pain
may limit your activities and interfere with work. You may worry about
treatment, because insurance companies sometimes consider the condition a
cosmetic problem and limit coverage of treatment options.
What Increases Your Risk
The risk of getting a
fungal nail infection depends on your
susceptibility to fungal infection.
Risk factors you cannot change
Risk factors you cannot change include:
- Susceptibility to fungal infection (which is
not yet well understood) or a history of fungal infections.
-
Impaired immune system (caused by certain diseases,
such as
AIDS,
diabetes, or cancer, or certain immunosuppressive
drugs, such as
corticosteroids).
- Poor blood circulation
(caused by disease or increasing age).
- Age. People older than 60
are more likely to have a fungal nail infection.5
- Being male.
Risk factors you can change
Risk factors you can change include:
- Wearing tight shoes.
- Wearing
shoes that make your feet warm and sweaty.
- Wearing the same pair of
moist shoes for 2 days in a row (and not letting your shoes dry
out).
- Sharing personal items such as shoes, socks, nail clippers,
or nail files with other people.
- Living in a hot, humid
climate.
- Using public or shared showers or locker rooms without
shower sandals or shower shoes.
- Injuring the nail (as in the case
of frequent nail trimming).
- Having
athlete's foot. For more information see the topic
Athlete's Foot.
- Having a job in which your
hands or feet are often wet (such as dishwashers or
lifeguards).
- Smoking.
- Wearing artificial nails. An
infection can develop in the gap between the artificial nail and the real nail,
especially if a loose nail is glued back on without first being cleaned with
rubbing alcohol. Nail manicure and certain nail products can damage the nail or
cuticle, making the nail more susceptible to infection.
When To Call a Doctor
Call your health professional for an immediate appointment if a
fungal nail infection develops signs of bacterial
infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, redness, tenderness,
or heat.
- Red streaks extending from the area.
- Discharge
of pus.
- Fever of
100°F (37.78°C) or higher with
no other cause.
Call your health professional for an appointment if your symptoms
are troubling you, such as when:
- A fungal infection appears to be spreading to
the skin under the nail, the nail itself, or the surrounding skin.
- The infected area is painful.
- A thickened toenail
causes discomfort.
- Your nail's appearance concerns you.
Your health professional can check for signs of fungal infection.
If a fungal infection is not treated, it may get worse.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your
health professional observe your symptoms or condition without using medical
treatment. If a nail is discolored or damaged but is not painful, you may
decide not to treat the infection. Antifungal medication does not guarantee a
cure, and antifungal pills (oral medication) can be expensive and have
potentially
dangerous side effects. However, treatment may stop
the infection from causing permanent damage to the nail, shorten the time
needed for treatment, and increase the chance of a cure.
Who To See
Health professionals who can diagnose and treat a fungal nail
infection include:
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
Exams and Tests
To determine the cause of a nail problem and diagnose a
fungal nail infection, your health professional:
- Will ask about your medical history, including
any previous symptoms of nail damage or fungal nail
infections.
- Will look at the skin and nails on your hands and
feet.
- May take a sample of the bits of skin and nail fragments
(debris) from under the infected nail. If a sample of debris cannot be taken
easily, a nail sample may be taken by lightly scraping the nail near the
infected area or by using a small blade to shave off a piece of nail.
Tests used to examine nail and debris samples include:
-
KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation,
to determine whether the nail or skin condition is caused by fungi. This test
can be done in a clinic or doctor's office.
- A
fungal culture, which can determine which type of
fungus is present. Since fungi generally grow slowly, it can take several weeks
for a culture to produce test results.
About 90% of fungal toenail infections are caused by a type of
fungus called a dermatophyte.1 Because of this, if the
KOH test shows there is a fungus present, your health professional may assume
that the fungal infection is caused by a dermatophyte and prescribe treatment.
However, because one medication may be more effective against certain types of
fungus than another medication, your health professional may want to do a
fungal culture.
Many insurance companies now require testing to verify a fungal
infection before they'll pay for medications, which can be expensive.
Tests that are rarely done If the KOH preparation and fungal culture do not show the
presence of fungi but a fungal infection is still suspected, your health
professional may remove a small piece of nail and look at it under a microscope
(nail
biopsy).
Treatment Overview
Treatment for a
fungal nail infection includes using medications,
taking steps to prevent the infection from returning, and possibly removing the
affected nail. Treatment is generally successful; however, treatment does not
work for 20% to 25% of people with the condition.6
You may decide not to treat a
fungal nail infection if your nail is discolored or
damaged but not painful. Antifungal medication does not guarantee a cure, and
antifungal pills (oral medication) can be expensive and have potentially
dangerous side effects.
Without treatment, fungal nail infections tend to get worse,
infecting more of the nail or surrounding skin. Early treatment may shorten
treatment time and increase your chances of being cured.
If you have a fungal nail infection that causes quality-of-life
problems, such as discomfort, pain, or embarrassment, you may decide to treat
it.
If you have a condition such as
diabetes that might complicate a minor foot injury or
infection, your health professional may suggest treating a fungal nail
infection, even if it does not bother you.
For more information on deciding whether to use oral antifungal
medications, see:
-
 Should I take oral antifungal medication to
treat a fungal nail infection?
Standard treatment for fungal nail infection includes one or a
combination of the following:
-
Antifungal pills (oral medication) offer the best
chance of a cure. However, they require close monitoring for
dangerous side effects and are generally reserved for
moderate-to-severe or difficult-to-treat fungal nail infections. Pills include
terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole (Diflucan).
-
Antifungal topical medication (creams, lotions, gels,
and lacquers) are applied to the infected nail and surrounding areas of the
skin. They may be used for mild-to-moderate infections and to help prevent an
infection from returning or to prevent
athlete's foot from spreading to the nails. Topical
medications include terbinafine (Lamisil) and ciclopirox (Penlac). Topical
medications may not be as effective as oral medications.
- Removal of an infected nail is used for severe or recurring
fungal nail infections. Combining nail removal with antifungal creams or pills
is likely to be more effective than using one of these treatments alone. Nail
removal is rarely necessary.
- In
nonsurgical nail removal, a urea ointment is put on
the nail, softening and dissolving it for easy removal.
- In
surgical nail removal, the infected nail and tissue is
fully removed (avulsion) or partially removed (debridement).
A topical or oral
antibiotic is necessary only when a bacterial
infection has developed along with the fungal infection.
Recurring infections and prevention
Even after apparently successful treatment with antifungal pills,
a fungal nail infection can return, either as a new infection or as regrowth of
the original fungi. Severe toenail infections, particularly those involving a
big toe, are difficult to treat and tend to recur.
After treatment, be sure to take steps to keep a fungal nail
infection from developing again.
- Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet
or hands and apply a topical antifungal medication, such as terbinafine
(Lamisil) or ciclopirox (Penlac), directly to your skin or nail. Use the
topical medication for 1 year.7
- Keep your
feet and hands dry. Dry skin and nails are less likely to become infected.
Apply powder to your dry feet or hands after you take a shower or
bath.
- Wear dry cotton socks and change them 2 or 3 times a day if
necessary.
- Wear dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your
feet. Avoid tight, enclosed shoes. Injury to the tips of the toes because of
tight shoes may be the biggest single factor that leads to recurrence of a
fungal nail infection.7
- Wear shower
sandals or shower shoes when using a public pool or shower; allow them to dry
between uses.
- Don't share shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail
files with others.
- Avoid injuring your nail. Cutting nails too
short is a common cause of nail injury. If you decide to get artificial nails
or have a manicure, go to a salon that uses sterile instruments. Nail manicure
and certain nail products can damage the nail or cuticle, making the nail more
susceptible to infection.
- Control chronic conditions such as
diabetes.
- Stop smoking.
What To Think About
If you have a mild fungal infection or are concerned about the
risks of oral antifungal medication, consider using a topical treatment, such
as Lamisil or Penlac.
Fungal nail infections can be treated successfully; however, some
types are more easily treated than others. One type,
distal subungual onychomycosis, can be a lifelong infection and hard to treat.
Another type, white superficial onychomycosis, can be easily treated.
Even after treatment, your nails may continue to look irregular
in shape and appearance. It can take a year or longer before they return to
normal.
Prevention
After your
fungal nail infection has been successfully treated,
take steps to prevent the infection from recurring.
- Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet
or hands and apply a
topical antifungal, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or
ciclopirox (Penlac), directly to your skin or nail. Use the topical medication
for 1 year.7
- Keep your feet and hands
dry. Dry skin and nails are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to
your dry feet or hands after you take a shower or bath.
- Wear dry
cotton socks and change them 2 or 3 times a day if necessary.
- Wear
dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet. Avoid tight, enclosed
shoes. Injury to the tips of the toes because of tight shoes may be the biggest
single factor that leads to a fungal nail infection returning.7
- Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when using a
public pool or shower; allow them to dry between uses.
- Don't share
shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail files with others.
- Avoid
injuring your nail. Cutting nails too short is a common cause of nail injury.
If you decide to get artificial nails or have a manicure, go to a salon that
uses sterile instruments. Nail manicure and certain nail products can damage
the nail or cuticle, making the nail more susceptible to infection.
- Control chronic conditions such as
diabetes.
- Stop smoking.
Home Treatment
If you have a mild
fungal nail infection or are concerned about the risks
of oral antifungal medication, try an
antifungal medication you put directly on your skin
(topical medication), such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or ciclopirox (Penlac). You
can also use a topical antifungal to prevent
athlete's foot, which can cause fungal nail
infections. However, topical medications may not be as effective as oral
medications in treating fungal nail infections.
Some people consider
tea
tree oil or cream to be an effective alternative for treating and
preventing
athlete's foot and mild fungal nail infections. It is
typically used to treat minor cuts, burns, acne, athlete's foot, mild fungal
nail infections, vaginal yeast infections, and respiratory problems (added to a
bath or vaporizer).8 There is little research on how
effective tea tree oil is for fungal nail infections.
After an infection has cleared up, use daily measures to prevent
reinfection.
- Before bed, thoroughly wash and dry your feet
or hands and apply a
topical antifungal, such as terbinafine (Lamisil) or
ciclopirox (Penlac), directly to your skin or nail. Use the topical medication
for one year.7
- Keep your feet and hands
dry. Dry skin and nails are less likely to become infected. Apply powder to
your dry feet or hands after you take a shower or bath.
- Wear dry
cotton socks and change them 2 or 3 times a day if necessary.
- Wear
dry shoes that allow air to circulate around your feet. Avoid tight, enclosed
shoes. Injury to the tips of the toes because of tight shoes may be the biggest
single factor that leads to a fungal nail infection returning.7
- Wear shower sandals or shower shoes when using a
public pool or shower; allow them to dry between uses.
- Don't share
shoes, socks, nail clippers, or nail files with others.
- Avoid
injuring your nail. Cutting nails too short is a common cause of nail injury.
If you decide to get artificial nails or have a manicure, go to a salon that
uses sterile instruments. Nail manicure and certain nail products can damage
the nail or cuticle, making the nail more susceptible to infection.
- Control chronic conditions such as
diabetes.
- Stop smoking.
Medications
Antifungal medication is standard treatment for a
fungal nail infection. The goals of treatment are to
have few or no side effects, provide a long-term cure, and reduce treatment
time.
-
Antifungal pills (oral medication) offer the best
chance of a cure. However, they also require close monitoring for
dangerous side effects and are generally reserved for
moderate-to-severe or difficult-to-treat fungal nail infections. Pills include
terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), and fluconazole
(Diflucan).
-
Antifungal topical medication (creams,
lotions, gels, and lacquers) are applied to the infected nail and surrounding
areas of the skin. However, they may not be as effective as oral medications.
They may be used for mild-to-moderate infections and to help prevent an
infection from returning or to prevent
athlete's foot from spreading to the nails. Topical
medications include terbinafine (Lamisil) and ciclopirox (Penlac).
Factors to consider when choosing a fungal nail infection treatment
include:
- The type and location of infection. Fingernail
and toenail infections are usually treated with different medications, and the
treatment time for fingernails is usually shorter. If you have a mild fungal
infection or are concerned about the risks of oral antifungal medication,
consider using a topical treatment, such as Lamisil or Penlac.
-
Your
susceptibility to fungal nail infection. If you
develop fungal nail infections often, you may need longer-term
treatment.
- The medication. Griseofulvin (Fulvicin U/F, Grifulvin V)
was one of the first oral antifungal medications. However, it did not provide a
long-term cure, had serious side effects, and required a long treatment time
(12 to 18 months). The newer oral antifungals are more effective, relatively
safe for healthy individuals, and don't take as long to work.
- Your risk factors for dangerous side effects from oral antifungal
medications. If you have a history of blood or liver disease or plan to drink
alcohol during antifungal treatment, oral medication is not a safe treatment
option for you.
- Drug interactions. Commonly prescribed medications
can affect the levels of antifungal medication in your body. Similarly, other
medications can build up in the bloodstream when taken with antifungal pills.
Let your health professional know what other medications you are taking before
taking oral antifungal medications.
- The dosing method, if you are
taking oral medication. Depending on the medication and the severity of the
infection, you may be able to choose between pulse therapy (taking medication
daily for 1 week per month for 2, 3, or 4 months) or continuous therapy (taking
medication each day).
- The medication cost for the entire course of
treatment. Some oral antifungals cost more than others. Pulse dosing is often
less expensive than continuous therapy.
For more information on deciding whether to use oral antifungal
medications, see:
-
Should I take oral antifungal medication to
treat a fungal nail infection?
Surgery
Surgical nail removal may be used to treat severe or
recurring
fungal nail infections. Once the diseased nail tissue
is removed, an antifungal cream can be applied directly to the infected area.
This is likely to be more effective than using one of these treatments alone.
Nail removal is rarely necessary.
Surgical nail removal can be done to remove either the entire nail
plate (avulsion) or part of the nail plate (debridement).
Other Treatment
Nonsurgical nail removal may be used to treat severe
or recurring
fungal nail infections. A urea ointment is applied to
the nail, which softens and dissolves it so that it can be easily removed. Once
the diseased nail tissue is removed, an antifungal cream can be applied
directly to the infected area. This is likely to be more effective than using
one of these treatments alone. Nail removal is rarely necessary.
Nonsurgical nail removal can be done to remove either the entire
nail plate (avulsion) or part of the nail plate (debridement). This procedure
is almost always painless.
Complementary therapy
Some people consider
tea
tree oil or cream to be an effective alternative for treating and
preventing
athlete's foot and mild fungal nail infections. It is
typically used to treat minor cuts, burns, acne, athlete's foot, mild fungal
nail infections, vaginal yeast infections, and respiratory problems (added to a
bath or vaporizer).8 There is little research on how
effective tea tree oil is for fungal nail infections.
Some people have found Vicks VapoRub to be useful for treating
fungal nail infections. However, no studies have been done to look at how
effective Vicks VapoRub is in treating this condition.
Other Places To Get Help
Organizations
| American Academy of Dermatology |
|
P.O. Box 4014 |
| Schaumburg, IL 60618-4014 |
| Phone: | 1-866-503-SKIN (1-866-503-7546) toll-free
(847) 240-1280 |
| Fax: | (847) 240-1859 |
| E-mail: | mrc@aad.org |
| Web Address: | www.aad.org |
| |
|
The American Academy of Dermatology provides information about the
care of skin, hair, and nails. You can find a dermatologist in your area by
calling 1-888-462-DERM (1-888-462-3376).
|
|
| American Podiatric Medical
Association |
| 9312 Old Georgetown Road |
| Bethesda, MD 20814-1621 |
| Phone: | 1-800-FOOTCARE (1-800-366-8227) APMA Foot Care Information Center
301-571-9200 |
| Fax: | 301-530-2752 |
| E-mail: | info@apma.org |
| Web Address: | www.apma.org |
| |
|
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) provides
information about foot and ankle injuries, sports-related foot concerns,
surgical and nonsurgical treatment of foot problems, special medical issues
such as diabetes, and resources in your local area. Some information is
available in Spanish.
|
|
Related Information
References
Citations
-
Roberts DT, et al. (2003). Guidelines for treatment of
onychomycosis. British Journal of Dermatology, 148(3):
402–410.
-
Schlefman BS (1999). Onychomycosis: A compendium of
facts and a clinical experience. Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 38(4): 290–302.
-
Nelson NM, et al. (2003). Tinea pedis and tinea manuum
subsection of Superficial fungal infection: Dermatophytosis, tinea nigra,
piedra. In IM Freedberg et al., eds., Fitzpatrick's Dermatology
in General Medicine, 6th ed., vol. 2, pp. 1999–2001. New York:
McGraw-Hill.
-
Habif TP, et al. (2005). Tinea of the nails
(onychomycosis) section of Fungal infections. In Skin Disease:
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Credits
| Author | Sabra L. Katz-Wise |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD
- Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Randall D. Burr, MD
- Dermatology |
| Last Updated | August 23, 2006 |
|
