
What is proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO)?
Nov 15, 2021 · ETIOLOGY. The most common causes of onychomycosis are dermatophyte, yeast, and nondermatophyte molds. The dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum accounts for 80% of all nail infections caused by fungus. Trichophyton interdigitale and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are other fungi causing onychomycosis.
What causes distal subungual onychomycosis?
In proximal subungual onychomycosis, infection begins at the proximal nailfold with infection of the nail matrix. The most common cause of both types is T. rubrum , although T. mentagrophytes and E. floccosum are also frequently isolated from nail specimens.
Does Trichophyton rubrum cause proximal subungual onychomycosis?
what is the cause of onychomycosis? A number of different types of fungus can cause onychomycosis including dermatophytes and Fusarium. Risk factors include athlete's foot, other nail diseases, exposure to someone with the condition, peripheral vascular disease, and poor immune function. Similarly, what is the best treatment for onychomycosis?
What is onychomycosis caused by?
Like distal subungual onychomycosis, most cases of proximal subungual onychomycosis are caused by a dermatophyte called Trichophyton rubrum. Another dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes may be to blame in some case. Proximal subungual onychomycosis is sometimes caused by the invasion of molds.

How do you get proximal subungual onychomycosis?
Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) is the rarest form of onychomycosis. The pathogenic fungus invades the nail plate from the eponychium and nail matrix, and then spreads distally in PSO1. PSO initially presents as whitish patch(es) on the proximal side of the nail plate(s).
What is the cause of onychomycosis of the nail?
Onychomycosis is caused by various organisms, most often dermatophytes of the genus Trichophyton. Other organisms include Candida, which is more common in fingernail infections (eFigure A) and in patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis. 1 Nondermatophyte molds are a less common cause in the general population.Dec 1, 2013
What is the most common cause of onychomycosis?
Dermatophytes are by far the most common cause of onychomycosis. Two major pathogens are responsible for approximately 90% of all onychomycosis cases. Trichophyton rubrum accounts for 70% and Trichophyton mentagrophytes accounts for 20% of all cases.Oct 5, 2020
What is proximal subungual onychomycosis?
Proximal subungual onychomycosis is the rarest form of fungal nail infection. Infection usually involves the trichophyton rubrum fungus. Unlike in other kinds of fungal nail infection, infection occurs, initially, at the proximal nail fold (the base of the nail), spreading up the newly developed nail plate.Dec 20, 2021
How do you treat proximal subungual onychomycosis?
Within recent years, effective systemic antifungal therapy has become available for the treatment of onychomycosis. Included in the treatment options are fluconazole, itraconazole, and terbinafine. These drugs have replaced griseofulvin as the systemic treatment options.
Can onychomycosis go away on its own?
Fungal infections of the toenails — also known as onychomycosis — don't go away on their own, and if left untreated, the fungus will spread and can eventually destroy the nail.May 23, 2019
Can onychomycosis spread?
Toenail fungal infection can start from athlete's foot (foot fungus), and it can spread from one nail to another. But it is uncommon to get an infection from someone else.Jul 14, 2020
How do you treat distal lateral subungual onychomycosis?
White superficial onychomycosis and distal lateral subungual onychomycosis limited to the distal nail can be treated with a topical agent. A combination of systemic and topical treatment increases the cure rate.Oct 5, 2020
How long does onychomycosis take to heal?
Usually three months of treatment cures a toenail fungal infection. Antifungal pills, however, can cause side effects.
What does proximal subungual onychomycosis look like?
In proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO), an area of white spotting, streaking, or discoloration (leukonychia) develops near the nail fold and may extend to deeper layers of the nail. The nail plate becomes white near the cuticle and remains normal at the end.
Where is the proximal nail fold?
The proximal nail fold is a wedge of thickened skin at the base of the nail. It's found on both your fingernails and toenails. The skin folds over the nail matrix and the base of the nail. The nail matrix produces the hard nail.
What is proximal subungual?
Proximal subungual onychomycosis - Nail and Distal Digit Proximal subungual onychomycosis is a type of fungal nail infection in which invasion begins from the undersurface of the proximal nail fold and then progresses distally. The nail changes are either diffuse patches or transverse striate patterns.Oct 3, 2017
What causes proximal subungual onychomycosis?
Proximal subungual onychomycosis is sometimes caused by the invasion of molds. Another curious feature of proximal subungual onychomycosis is that the skin surrounding the nail may become red, inflamed, and swollen. This is especially true if the disease is caused by molds.
Why do my nails get loose?
As the nail grows it may have folds and pits. The combination of an irregular nail bed and misshapen nail plate may cause the nail to become loose. Like distal subungual onychomycosis, most cases of proximal subungual onychomycosis are caused by a dermatophyte called Trichophyton rubrum.
How long does Terbinafine last?
Terbinafine is given as a 250 mg pill once a day for six weeks if treating fingernails and twelve weeks if treating toenails. Lamisil has no effect on Candida infections and should not be used to treat cases of proximal subungual onychomycosis caused by this organism.
Do antibiotics kill fungi?
This can be a problem if antibiotics are prescribed since antibiotics do not kill fungi. An antifungal medication is required to kill dermatophytes, molds, and yeasts. Proximal subungual onychomycosis is a fairly uncommon form of onychomycosis. It occurs most often in people with depressed or deficient immune systems.
Is itraconazole good for onychomycosis?
Itraconazole (Sporanox) is a good option for proximal subungual onychomycosis when the cause of the disease is known to be fungal but may or may not be a dermatophyte. Sporanox has some activity against Candida, too. This treatment is usually more expensive than other onychomycosis treatments, including Lamisil.
Is fluconazole a first line drug?
Fluconazole (Diflucan) can be used to treat proximal subungual onychomycosis, but this is not a first line drug for this disease. This medication halts the growth and spread of the disease rather than killing the fungus outright. In medical terms, fluconazole is fungistatic (fungus stopping) rather than fungicidal (fugus killing).
Why is my immune system depressed?
A person may have a depressed immune system due to certain blood cancers or because they are undergoing treatment for cancer like chemotherapy or radiation. Any immunosuppressive treatment can depress the immune system, by definition.
What is the best treatment for onychomycosis?
Oral therapy: The most commonly used oral drugs for treatment of onychomycosis is griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole and ketoconazole. The disadvantages of oral antifungal agents are, they require a longer treatment period and they have more side effects, e.g. terbinafine (Lamisil®).
What are the most common skin infections?
Fungal infections of skin are one of the most common infections in human beings. The areas which are likely to get infected include the scalp, the hands and the feet. Dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds are the three major fungi responsible for skin infections. Earlier oral antifungal agents were used for treatment of fungal infection in finger ...
How long does Lamisil last?
This drug is taken daily for 8 weeks for fingernail fungus and for 12 weeks for toenail fungus. The most frequent side effects of Lamisil® are headache, gastrointestinal disturbance (diarrhea and/or dyspepsia), rash and elevated liver enzymes4.
What are finger nails made of?
Keywords: Onchomycosis, nails, antifungal agents, nail lacquers. Finger nails and toe nails are made up of protein and are a form of modified hair. The nail is composed of elements such as, nail matrix or the nail root which is the growing part, under the skin under the nail proximal end.
What is nail lacquer?
The nail lacquer consists of fungicidally effective amount of ciclopirox, amorolfine, or other antifungal agent in a clear, stable, film-forming lacquer vehicle; a water-insoluble film-forming polymer; 2-n-nonyl-1,3-dioxolane or similar penetration enhancer; and volatile solvent.
What is a plasticizer?
A plasticizer is used for the film-forming polymer which is also compatible with the other components and the preferred penetration enhancers may also function as plasticizer. The composition, when applied to the nails provides a hard, clear, water-resistant film containing the antifungal agent.
Can nails be thickened?
Nails can also be thickened ( onychogryphosis), loosened (onycholysis), infected with fungus (onychomycosis) or degenerate (onychodystrophy). ONYCHOMYCOSIS. Onychomycosis is an infection of the nail caused by fungi such as dermatophytes, non-dermatophyte moulds and yeasts (mainly Candidaspecies).
How you get onychomycosis
Toenail fungus affects almost 30% of adults in the United States. Commonly known as onychomycosis, this condition damages the appearance of your toes, causes severe rashes and may even lead to your nails falling off. There are several causes for a fungal infection, such as:
How does a proximal subungual infection look like?
This clinical study reveals that a proximal subungual infection initially presents as whitish patches on the proximal side of the nail plates. This common type of fungal condition causes the nail to thicken and lose its natural color before affecting the nail bed and the skin surrounding it.
How to use ZetaClear at home
ZetaClear uses a unique combination of natural oils, vitamins, and minerals to soothe the impact of proximal subungual infection. It is a dual system, comprised of a topical solution and an oral spray. These two products work together to fight off the fungus both internally and externally. More about how the system works here.
