What other conditions can be confused with fungal nail infection?
Conditions that affect the nails and that can be confused with fungal nail infection include: • Psoriasis: • Affected nails are pitted with shallow or deep holes. The nail may be deformed, thickened, discoloured (brownish yellow), and separated from the nail bed. • The characteristic skin rash is dry, red skin plaques with silver scales; lesions are most often found on the elbow, knee, scalp, or lower back. • Lichen planus: • Affected nails are thin (although they may thicken) and become grooved and ridged; they may be discoloured and separate from the nail bed. The cuticle can be destroyed, leaving a scar. The nails may shed, stop growing altogether, or rarely, completely disappear. • Skin symptoms: lichen planus has many forms, and affects the skin and mucous membranes. The skin rash of the classical form has shiny, flat-topped, firm papules varying from pin point to larger than a centimetre in diameter; lesions are purple and often crossed by fine white lines (Wickham’s striae). • E
