Is there a connection between onychomycosis and athlete’s foot?

Onychomycosis and athlete's foot are two very common diseases in life, and both occur at the extremities. The difference is that onychomycosis usually occurs on the nails and has little effect on the skin, while athlete's foot is a disease that affects the skin. Both diseases are caused by fungal infections and are highly contagious. Is there any connection between onychomycosis and athlete's foot? Let’s take a look at the explanation below. I hope everyone can understand.

Athlete's foot and onychomycosis may seem to be two different skin diseases, but they are actually "related families." Athlete's foot and onychomycosis are both common fungal infections of the foot skin, mostly caused by the same pathogen. At the same time, athlete's foot and onychomycosis can be transmitted to each other.

Athlete's foot and onychomycosis are "from the same root" Although athlete's foot and onychomycosis are two different skin diseases, their pathogens are both fungi, so they can be said to be "from the same root." Athlete's foot, medically known as "tinea pedis", is an inflammation caused by fungi invading the superficial layer of the skin of the foot. Hot, humid and confined space are the three necessary conditions for the survival of athlete's foot. Therefore, in the hot and humid south, the incidence of athlete's foot is relatively higher. A survey shows that the incidence of athlete's foot in the south can exceed 80%, so some people call athlete's foot "Hong Kong foot." According to clinical medicine, athlete's foot can be divided into three main types: papule vesicular type, scaly keratotic type, and macerated erosive type. Among them, the papule-vesicular type is more common in summer, and is mainly manifested by the appearance of some rice-sized blisters between the toes and soles of the feet, which are extremely itchy. The scaly keratotic type is characterized by thickening and roughening of the skin around the toes and feet, with scales that repeatedly fall off in flakes or dots.

Onychomycosis is also a common nail fungal infection skin disease, which is medically known as onychomycosis. There are two types of onychomycosis. One is that the damage starts from the free edge and side wall of the nail, causing small depressions or transverse grooves on the nail plate, and gradually develops until the nail plate becomes brittle, easily broken, thickened, and brown in color. Another manifestation is white nails, which often starts from the root of the nail. White spots will appear on the surface of the nail plate, and then the white spots will gradually expand, causing the nail plate to soften and sink.

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