Toenail fungus

About Toenail fungus

Onychomycosis is a chronic fungal infection of the toenails causing thickening, yellow or brown discoloration, brittleness, and separation from the nail bed. It is more common with age, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and recurrent athlete's foot. Confirmation by KOH, culture, or PCR is recommended before systemic treatment because look-alike nail disorders are common. Oral terbinafine for 12 weeks is the most effective treatment; itraconazole, topical efinaconazole or tavaborole, and laser therapy are alternatives, though clearance and recurrence rates vary.