Onychomycosis and psoriasis

Abstract

Onychomycosis is the most frequent cause of abnormality of the nail unit and it is responsible for about 50 % of all consultations for nail disorders. Onychomycosis has been reported as a gender- and age- related disease, being more prevalent in males and increasing with age in both genders. In the elderly, onychomycosis may have an incidence >40 %. Predisposing factors are diabetes mellitus, nail trauma, peripheral arterial disease, and immunosuppression due to HIV or immunosuppressive agents. Psoriasis is a common skin disorder, occurring in about 2 % of the general population. The prevalence of nail involvement varies between 15 and 79 % of cases, with an estimated lifetime incidence of 80–90 %; however, hands are more frequently affected than the feet, and usually more than one nail is involved.