Onychomycosis (ICD-11: 1F2Z / ICD-10: B35) 🚨

Derm Atlas Home Dermatology Atlas: Skin Diseases Guide & Photos 6. Mycoses: fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails (4) Onychomycosis (ICD-11: 1F2Z / ICD-10: B35) 🚨

Onychomycosis refers to any nail infection caused by dermatophytes, non-dermatophytes or yeasts.

Clinical types of onychomycosis:

Distal (lateral) subungual onychomycosis – invasion through hyponychium, affects the distal part of the nail, spreads proximally until complete defeat;
Proximal subungual onychomycosis – invasion under the proximal nail fold with damage to the proximal part of the nail plate;
White superficial onychomycosis – direct invasion of the nail plate: causes the appearance of white or dull yellow sharply bordered spots on the surface of the nail.

Clinical types of nail lesions, depending on the degree of thickening of the nail plate:

Normotrophic: there is only a yellow or white discoloration of the nail plate;
Hypertrophic: thickening and formation of ridges on the nail plate, hypertrophy of the underlying tissues (nail bed);
Atrophic: thinning and detachment of the nail plate.

Diagnosis of onychomycosis:

Thorough clinical examination;
Wood’s lamp examination;
Laboratory diagnostics: microscopy, culture method, PCR.

Various complex systemic and local antifungal agents are used to treat onychomycosis. Systemic treatment is required in all cases where there is a lesion of the scalp, beard and nails. With limited skin lesions without affecting the appendages of the skin, external monotherapy can be used.

🇬🇧 Onychomycosis: Diagnosis and Treatment in the UK

The UK sees a significant number of fungal nail infections, so early assessment of persistent or unusual nail changes is strongly recommended. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that can cause thickened, discoloured, or brittle nails. If you notice changes in your nails, you should first consult a GP (General Practitioner) for initial evaluation.

GPs in the UK can examine affected nails, confirm fungal infection through clinical assessment or laboratory testing, provide treatment options, and refer patients to dermatologists if the infection is severe, widespread, or resistant to first-line therapies. Many clinics also provide:

Clinical examination of nails and surrounding skin
Diagnosis using nail clippings, cultures, or microscopy
Prescription oral or topical antifungal therapy
Patient education on nail care, hygiene, and prevention of recurrence

When to contact your GP

See your GP (General Practitioner) if:

The infection is persistent or spreading
Over-the-counter antifungal treatments are not effective
The infection causes pain, inflammation, or secondary infection
You have a weakened immune system or diabetes

Your GP may confirm the diagnosis through physical examination, skin scrapings, or nail/hair tests. Treatment can include topical antifungal creams, medicated shampoos, or oral antifungal medications for more severe or resistant cases.

Specialist care and faster access

If you need quicker access to dermatology care, you may consider:

seeing a private dermatologist in UK for faster evaluation
using an online dermatology consultation service
performing an immediate AI-based skin check for risk assessment

Find a dermatologist in major UK cities

Check your skin condition instantly

You can also use the Skinive AI – Skin Scanner. The app allows photo-based analysis of fungal infections on the skin, hair, or nails and can guide you on whether professional medical consultation is recommended.

🇦🇺 Onychomycosis: Diagnosis and Treatment in Australia

Australia sees a range of fungal skin, hair, and nail infections, so early assessment of suspicious or persistent lesions is strongly recommended. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection that affects the nails, causing thickening, discoloration, or crumbling of the nail plate. If you notice changes in your nails, you should first consult a GP (General Practitioner) for initial evaluation.

GPs in Australia can examine nails, confirm fungal infection through clinical assessment or lab testing, provide treatment options, and refer patients to dermatologists if the infection is severe, widespread, or resistant to first-line therapies. Many clinics also provide:

Clinical examination of affected nails and surrounding skin
Diagnosis using nail clippings, cultures, or microscopy
Prescription oral or topical antifungal therapy
Patient education on nail care, hygiene, and prevention of recurrence

Because public dermatology waiting times may vary by region, patients often choose:

visiting a private dermatologist
attending a skin cancer clinic for rapid screening
using an online skin consultation service
performing an immediate AI-based skin assessment

Find dermatology services in major Australian cities

You can explore dermatology options in:

Check your skin condition instantly

You can also use the Skinive AI- Mole Checker app for skin analysis to evaluate suspicious lesions from a photo and determine whether medical consultation is recommended.

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