Onychomycosis in Icelandic swimmers.
We investigated visitors to a swimming pool in Reykjavik to determine whether onychomycosis of the toenails is more prevalent in swimmers than in the general population, where the prevalence is believed to be between 3 and 8%. A total of 266 swimmers over the age of 17 years were interviewed and examined. When an onychomycosis was suspected a nail specimen was taken for mycological examination. Onychomycosis was clinically suspected in 105 cases (40%). In 60 cases (23%) a dermatophyte infection was confirmed by culture and 14 cases (5%) were microscopy-positive only. The prevalence of culture-positive onychomycosis was 15% in women and 26% in men. Our results suggest that onychomycosis of the toenails is at least 3 times more prevalent in swimmers than in the rest of the population.
Gudnadóttir
G
G
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavík.
Hilmarsdóttir
I
I
Sigurgeirsson
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D013550:Swimming