Onychomycosis: Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches to Fungal Nail Infections
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate, bed, or matrix, primarily caused by dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum.
Clinical Presentation: Characteristics include subungual hyperkeratosis, onycholysis (separation of the nail), and yellow-brown discoloration.
Diagnosis: Confirmation is achieved via KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation or fungal culture of nail clippings.
Pharmacotherapy: Oral antifungals (Terbinafine) are often required because topical agents struggle to penetrate the keratinized nail plate effectively.
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