Dermatology Library
- A ·
- B ·
- C ·
- D ·
- E ·
- F ·
- G ·
- H ·
- I ·
- J ·
- K ·
- L ·
- M ·
- N ·
- O ·
- P ·
- Q ·
- R ·
- S ·
- T ·
- U ·
- V ·
- W ·
- X ·
- Y ·
- Z
O
Oily skin:
The best way to clean oily skin is by washing a few times a day with plain soap and water. If you want to wash your face but aren't near any water, try using a pre-wetted cleansing pad. (These pads usually have alcohol in them, which dissolves the oil on your skin.) You might also want to try using a special absorbent paper that soaks up your skin's extra oil. You can buy both the premoistened pads and the absorbent papers at most drug stores. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide soaps are good choices to combat oily skin.
Onychomycosis:
OnychomycosisÊis a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails. OnychomycosisÊcauses fingernails or toenails to thicken, discolor, disfigure, and split. At first, onychomycosisÊappears to beÊonly aÊcosmetic concern. Without treatment, however, the toenails can become so thick that they press against the inside of the shoes, causing pressure, irritation, and pain. Fingernail infection may cause psychological, social, or employment-related problems.
Half of all nail disorders are caused by onychomycosis, and it is the most common nail disease in adults. Toenails are much more likely to be infected than fingernails. The incidence of onychomycosis has been increasing and is related to diabetes, a suppressed immune system, and increasing age. Adults are 30 times more likely to have onychomycosisÊthan children. In fact, only 2.6% of children younger than 18 years are reported to have onychomycosis, but as many as 90% of elderly people have onychomycosis.
Causes of Onychomycosis - OnychomycosisÊis caused by 3 main classes of organisms: dermatophytes (fungi that infect hair, skin, and nails and feed on nail tissue), yeasts, and nondermatophyte molds. All 3 classes cause the same symptoms, so the appearance of the infection does not revealÊwhich class is responsible forÊtheÊinfection. Dermatophytes (including Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton species) are, by far, the most common causes of onychomycosisÊworldwide. Yeasts cause 8% of cases, and nondermatophyte molds cause 2% of onychomycosisÊcases.
- The dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum is the most common fungus causing distal lateral subungual onychomycosisÊ(DLSO) and proximal subungual onychomycosisÊ(PSO).
- The dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes commonly causes white superficial onychomycosisÊ(WSO), and more rarely, WSO can be caused by species of nondermatophyte molds.
- The yeast Candida albicans is the most common cause of chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (disease of mucous membrane and regular skin) of the nail.
Risk factors for onychomycosisÊinclude family history, advancingÊage, poor health, trauma, living in a warm climate, participation in fitness activities, immunosuppression (can occur from HIV or certain drugs), bathing in communal showers (such as at a gym), and wearing shoes that cover the toes completely and donÕt let in any airflow.
Treatment of Onychomycosis - Medications - In the past, medicines used to treat onychomycosis (OM) were not very effective. OM is difficult to treat because nails grow slowly and receive very little blood supply. However, recent advances in treatment options, including oral (taken by mouth) and topical (applied on the skin or nail surface) medications, have been made. Newer oral medicines have revolutionized treatment of onychomycosis. However, the rate of recurrence is high, even with newer medicines. Treatment is expensive, has certain risks, and recurrence is possible.
- Topical antifungals are medicines applied to the skin and nail area that kill fungus.
Submitted by: Laura L. Mays, PA-C