Onychomycosis: a clinico-epidemiological study.

Onychomycosis is a common nail disorder. Far more than being a simple cosmetic problem, infected nail serves as a chronic reservoir, which can give rise to repeated mycotic infections. The study was undertaken to determine the various clinical patterns of onychomycosis. This prospective cross sectional study was conducted in clinically suspected patients of onychomycosis attending out patients department of dermatology, T.U. Teaching hospital between August 2006 and July 2007. Various data were obtained and clinical patterns were noted. Out of 182 clinically suspected patients of onychomycosis, 52.7% were males with male: female ratio of 1.1:1. Onychomycosis was predominant among the younger patients with slight male preponderance. Fingernails were more frequently involved in females whereas toenails in males. The most common clinical type was distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis. 58.2% had other concomitant fungal infections apart from onychomycosis. Onychomycosis could serve as a good reservoir for recurrent cutaneous superficial fungal infections. Hence, adequate treatment of onychomycosis can prevent from these recurrent cutaneous superficial fungal infections.