This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Candidal onychomycosis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • candida is a relatively uncommon cause of onychomycosis, which is much more likely to be due to dermatophyte (ringworm) fungi
  • in general onychomycosis does not paronychia, although both may be present if the infection is due to Candida; the surface of the nail plate is generally smooth but there is marked hyperkeratosis under the nail
  • candidal onychomycosis is most likely when there is peripheral vascular disease (such as Raynaud's phenomenon), when there is a previously damaged nail due to other causes, or there are risk factors for candida such as diabetes mellitus
  • candida onychomycosis
    • symptoms: Candida onychomycosis is generally not symptomatic, apart from pressure effects of a thickened nail

    • site: usually affects fingernails rather than toenails
    • signs: onycholysis, hyperkeratosis, and discolouration. Affected nails are discoloured white, green, or occasionally black (although green or black discolouration usually suggests secondary bacterial infection rather than Candida)
    • investigations: nail clippings are necessary to make a diagnosis of Candida onychomycosis where there is no associated paronychia, particularly if distal

Click here for example image of this condition

Reference:

  1. Prodigy Guidance (2002) - Candida - Skin and Nail

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.