title: Understanding Onychomycosis Resolving Diagnostic Dilemmas.
abstract: No scientifically rigorous, large, prospective studies have been done to document the true prevalence of onychomycosis; the reported rates vary mainly by climate and by population, but the overall prevalence in the United States is estimated to be at least 10%. Advanced age and diabetes are the most commonly reported risk factors for onychomycosis. The differential diagnosis of onychomycosis is lengthy, and visual inspection alone is not sufficient for a definitive diagnosis-direct microscopic examination of a wet-mount preparation with 10% to 20% potassium hydroxide is the first-line diagnostic test.
authors.affiliation: Director of Dermatology Research Henry Ford Health System Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Linda F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Stein Gold
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Dermatophyte; Trichophyton rubrum; onychomycosis