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Infección micótica de la uña - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Infección micótica de las uñas; Onicomicosis; Infección de las uñas por hongos; Tiña ungueal

Definición:

Es una infección en las uñas causada por un hongo.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

El organismo normalmente alberga una variedad de bacterias y hongos, algunos de los cuales son beneficiosos para el cuerpo, mientras que otros se pueden multiplicar en forma rápida y causar infecciones. Los hongos pueden vivir en los tejidos muertos del cabello, las uñas y las capas cutáneas externas.

Las infecciones micóticas incluyen hongos de tipo moho que causan:

Las infecciones micóticas de la uña se observan con más frecuencia en los adultos y generalmente están precedidas por infección micótica en los pies. Las uñas de los pies se afectan con mayor frecuencia que las uñas de las manos.

Las personas que frecuentan piscinas públicas, gimnasios o duchas y quienes transpiran mucho comúnmente presentan infecciones de tipo moho. Los hongos que las causan prosperan en áreas húmedas y cálidas.

Lo siguiente aumenta el riesgo de una infección micótica:

  • Hacerse arreglo de uñas de manos y pies empleando utensilios que hayan sido utilizados para otras personas.
  • Sufrir lesiones leves en la piel o las uñas.
  • Tener una deformidad o enfermedad en la uña.
  • Tener la piel húmeda por mucho tiempo.
  • Sistema inmunitario que funciona de manera deficiente.
  • Usar calzado cerrado.
  • Reviewed last on: 10/4/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier: pp 491-523.

Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis and other superficial mycoses. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier;2009:chap 267.

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