Onychomycosis in children

Abstract

Onychomycosis in children is rare, with an approximate worldwide prevalence in children below the age of 18 years of lower than 0.5%. Dermatophytes are responsible for the majority of the cases, with distal subungual onychomycosis of one toenail the most frequent clinical variety. Candida sp. may invade the nails only in predisposed children, usually producing a total onychomycosis. Care should be taken when diagnosing onychomycosis in children, as the sole clinical appearance is not enough to establish a diagnosis and mycology is always mandatory. © 2012 2012 Expert Reviews Ltd.