{"id":719,"date":"2025-07-06T14:16:48","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T14:16:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/podcare.gr\/?post_type=pathology&#038;p=719"},"modified":"2026-04-19T10:32:55","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T10:32:55","slug":"onychomycosis","status":"publish","type":"pathology","link":"https:\/\/podcare.gr\/en\/pathology\/onychomycosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Onychomycosis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Onychomycosis<\/strong> is a fungal infection of the nails that causes changes in their colour, thickness, and structure. It is more common in the toenails and may lead to brittle, deformed, and discoloured nails if not treated properly and in a timely manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Causes and Risk Factors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The infection is caused by dermatophytes, moulds, and yeasts, which thrive in warm and humid conditions. The main factors that increase the risk of developing the condition include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Increased moisture and sweating of the feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Use of closed or synthetic shoes that do not allow the foot to breathe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Frequent contact with potentially contaminated surfaces such as gym showers, swimming pools, and public changing rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Pre-existing skin conditions (e.g. athlete\u2019s foot, psoriasis).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Diabetes mellitus and circulatory problems, which reduce the body\u2019s defences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Nail trauma, which may lead to nail detachment and facilitate fungal penetration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Use of contaminated pedicure instruments without proper sterilisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Change in colour: the nail develops a yellowish, green, brown, or white discoloration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Thickening and deformity of the nail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Brittle and crumbly texture, with a tendency to break or separate from the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Unpleasant odour due to the infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Treatment and Management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment of onychomycosis is <strong>long-term<\/strong>, as nails grow slowly and fungi are resistant. Options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Topical treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Topical antifungal treatment (nail lacquer, spray, or cream).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Antifungal solutions applied daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Systemic treatment (persistent cases)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 In cases where topical treatment does not provide the desired results, oral antifungal medication such as itraconazole or terbinafine may be prescribed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Medical monitoring is required, as some medications may affect liver function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Treatment at the podiatry clinic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Nail thinning and removal of the affected surface using specialised abrasive instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Laser therapy: targets the fungi without damaging the surrounding tissue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Prevention<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Good foot hygiene: frequent washing and thorough drying, especially between the toes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Wear breathable shoes and change socks daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Sterilise nail care instruments before each use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2013 Use antifungal powder or spray in shoes and socks for prevention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When to Visit the Podiatrist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you notice significant nail changes, pain, discomfort, or recurrent infection, consultation with a specialist is essential for personalised treatment and prevention of complications.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-gray-100-background-color has-background\"><strong>Onychomycosis<\/strong> is a common nail infection that can affect both the appearance and health of the nails if left untreated. With early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and consistent preventive care, the infection can be managed effectively and the risk of recurrence can be reduced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails that causes changes in their colour, thickness, and structure.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":877,"parent":0,"menu_order":17,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"category":[40],"class_list":["post-719","pathology","type-pathology","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","pathology_category-pathiseis-nychion-2"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Onychomycosis - podcare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Onychomycosis - 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