Is slow nail growth a risk factor for onychomycosis?

Related Experiment Videos

H-J Yu1, H-M Kwon, D-H Oh

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri City, Gyunggi-do 471-701, South Korea. yuhjoon@hanyang.ac.kr

Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
|July 13, 2004
PubMed

Insights

This study investigated if slow nail growth predisposes individuals to onychomycosis. Findings indicate that onychomycosis, particularly when extensive, can slow nail growth, but slow growth does not appear to be a primary risk factor for developing the fungal infection.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Podiatry

Background:

  • Onychomycosis is a common fungal nail infection.
  • The relationship between nail growth rate and onychomycosis development remains unclear.
  • Previous hypotheses suggested slow nail growth might predispose individuals to fungal nail infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if slow nail growth is a predisposing factor for onychomycosis.
  • To investigate whether onychomycosis causes a reduction in nail growth rate.

Main Methods:

  • Forty-nine patients with unilateral toenail onychomycosis were recruited.
  • Patients were grouped based on the affected area size (more than half or less than half of the nail plate).
  • Nail growth rates of both affected and unaffected great toenails were measured.

Main Results:

  • Affected toenails showed slower growth rates when more than half of the nail plate was involved, prior to achieving a normal appearance.
  • No significant difference in growth rates was observed between affected and unaffected toenails after the nail returned to a normal appearance.
  • The study did not find evidence supporting slow nail growth as a predisposing factor for onychomycosis.

Conclusions:

  • The findings do not support the hypothesis that slow nail growth predisposes individuals to developing onychomycosis.
  • Onychomycosis may influence nail growth rate, especially in cases with significant nail plate involvement.
  • Further research could explore other potential predisposing factors for fungal nail infections.

Related Concept Videos

Antifungal Agents01:15

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Diabetic Foot Ulcer01:31

Diabetic Foot Ulcer

Definition A diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a chronic, non-healing wound that develops in individuals with diabetes. It typically occurs on pressure-bearing areas such as the heel, metatarsal heads, or hallux, and carries a high risk of infection and amputation.Pathophysiology • The development of DFUs can be explained by four interconnected mechanisms: neuropathy, ischemia, infection, and impaired wound healing. • Neuropathy is the most common factor. Sensory neuropathy reduces pain perception,...
Candidiasis01:20

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by opportunistic species of Candida. It can affect various anatomical sites, including the skin, oral cavity, nails, and genitourinary tract. Among its forms, vaginal candidiasis is the most common type of mucosal infection. It typically results from the overgrowth of Candida albicans in the vaginal mucosa. Under normal conditions, C. albicans exists as a commensal organism within the vaginal microbiota, regulated by the dominance of lactobacilli, which...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents01:20

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents

The gastric mucosa produces prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2), crucial in maintaining gastric health. They exert cytoprotective effects, including increasing bicarbonate secretion, releasing protective mucin, reducing gastric acid output, and preventing harmful vasoconstriction. These effects are mediated through various receptors, such as EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...