Onychomycosis in close quarter living review of the literature

Abstract

Onychomycosis is defined as a fungal infection of the nail bed and/or nail plate. The prevalence of onychomycosis has increased dramatically as a worldwide condition in the twentieth century due to occlusive footwear, global wars and natural migration. Risk factors generally leading to onychomycosis development include bodily spread of dermatophyte and non-dermatophyte tinea pedis, peripheral vascular disease, damaged nails via sports and trauma, older age, genetics, immunodeficiency and diabetes. Many publications discuss prevalence, symptoms and treatment of the disease in individual cases, hospitals or specific locations, but few strongly link the cause of onychomycosis to living environments. This is a review of the current literature on the prevalence of onychomycosis and its relationship to surrounding living environments of those infected. A Pubmed search was performed with 'onychomycosis'. Articles were selected based on the relevance to close quarter living environments. All ages can be affected with onychomycosis, ranging from children in boarding schools to elderly in nursing homes. Although not directly linking living environments to transmission and infection in all articles reviewed, onychomycosis was very prevalent in many different close quarter living settings, including within families, boarding schools, military quarters and nursing homes. This review demonstrates that various close quarter living environments are highly associated with increased transmission and infection with onychomycosis.

Epidemiological study of onychomycosis in older adults with onychodystrophy

“…The combination of more than one of these manifestations when totally or subtotally involving the nail plate is defined as onychodystrophy. The prevalence of onychomycosis has increased in the 20th century as a result of occlusive footwear, worldwide wars and natural migration . The epidemiology varies in different geographical areas and with the passing of time depending on several factors, especially different environmental and lifestyle conditions.…”

“…The preva-lence of onychomycosis has increased in the 20th century as a result of occlusive footwear, worldwide wars and natural migration. 2 The epidemiology varies in different geographical areas and with the passing of time depending on several factors, especially different environmental and lifestyle conditions. The most common agent that causes onychomycosis is Trichophyton rubrum, which also causes tinea pedis, and is considered to be responsible for approximately 90% of cases of toenail onychomycosis.…”

Pharmacy Technicians and Improving Onychomycosis Treatment Outcomes

“…Only one study evaluated community pharmacy personnel, including pharmacy technicians, and their views on managing dermatological issues. 7 Twentythree articles concerned the diagnosis and/or treatment of onychomycosis, [1][2][3][4][5][6][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] including 1 guideline. 24 Three articles focused on risk factors and prevention of recurrent infection.…”

“…13 Because onychomycosis is communicable, shared living quarters and communal bathing facilities contribute to the spread of infection to others. 2 Sports and physical activity can cause nail trauma, and walking barefoot in locker rooms and public shower facilities also increases the risk of onychomycosis. 24,26 Onychomycosis Treatments…”

“…1 The incidence of nail fungal infections has been increasing in recent years, likely due to use of occlusive footwear and increasing popularity of sports and gym use. 2,3 Although usually considered a cosmetic issue, onychomycosis can negatively affect quality of life. 4 The nail infection can cause pain and difficulty walking, leading to limited mobility especially in older patients.…”