Onychomycosis: the silent spread and its impact on public health in Nicaragua

Abstract

This research focuses on onychomycosis, a fungal infection in the nails of hands and feet, and its relationship with the prolonged use of acrylic nails in Nicaragua. A survey was conducted on 146 individuals to analyze the prevalence of predisposing factors to fungal nail infections and to understand nail care practices in the population. The results highlight a lack of awareness regarding the importance of nail health and a low frequency of dermatological consultations, as 89.7% of the respondents had never consulted a
dermatologist. Furthermore, 97.3% had not undergone laboratory tests to detect nail problems.