Diagnosis of nail fungus

Even very similar-looking nail lesions can be caused by completely different reasons. It is not always possible to determine the exact cause of the lesion from the appearance of the affected nail alone, let alone the specific causative agent of the fungal infection. Many other nail diseases present with symptoms similar to those of nail fungus, such as:

  • Nail psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by a rash of distinct red plaques covered with silver scales. It affects not only the skin but also the joints and nails. Psoriatic nail lesions are characterised by onycholysis (detachment of the nail from the nail bed), pongy masses, discolouration of the nail, small pitting on the surface of the nail plate etc. As the symptoms of nail psoriasis are very similar to those of nail fungal infections (especially when the changes occur only in one nail), additional tests are performed to clarify the diagnosis.
  • Trauma. Wearing uncomfortable footwear and frequent trauma to the toes can cause the nails to thicken and change colour. Acute trauma is characterised by post-nail haemorrhage, which makes the diagnosis of nail changes a little easier. When the nails have been traumatised for a long period of time, there are no obvious signs of trauma, and the resulting changes in the nail plate can be differentiated by examination.
  • Flat lichen planus. This is an inflammatory disease of unknown origin affecting the skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails. As many as 10-25% of patients with lichen planus have nail lesions. The most common are longitudinal stretching, flattening of the nail plate and longitudinal cracks. Onycholysis and ponlaginous masses occur when the nail bed is damaged. Nail lesions progress rapidly, and if left untreated, risk permanent loss of nails.
  • Contact dermatitis. As the dermatitis progresses to a chronic form, especially on the hands, the nails become thickened, yellow, with the appearance of pontic masses, and the surface of the nail may become rough. These nail changes can also be caused by allergies to manicure products and artificial nails.

Specialists providing these services

Dr. Viktoras Sidorovas

Oncodermatologist
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Lithuanian | English | Russian

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Vilnius | Klaipeda

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Dr. Egle Aukstuoliene

Dermatovenerologist
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Lithuanian | English | Russian

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Vilnius

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Algirdas Sumila

Dermatovenerologist
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Lithuanian | English | Russian

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Vilnius

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Edita Zubrickiene

Dermatovenerologist
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Lithuanian | English | Russian

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Vilnius

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Laimute Trociukiene

Dermatovenerologist
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Lithuanian | Russian

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Vilnius

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Ruta Sidlauskiene

Dermatovenerologist
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Lithuanian | English | Russian

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Klaipeda

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Services prices

Doctor of Medical Sciences dermatologist consultation (Dr. Viktoras Sidorovas)

140

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Repeat consultation of the doctor of medical sciences (Dr. Viktoras Sidorovas)

100

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Doctor of Science examination (Dr. Viktoras Sidorovas)

60

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Doctor of Medical Sciences dermatologist consultation (Dr. Eglė Aukštuolienė)

140

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Repeated consultation of the doctor of medical sciences (Dr. Eglė Aukštuolienė)

100

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Doctor of Science examination (Dr. Eglė Aukštuolienė)

60

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Consultation with a dermatologist (Algirdas Šumila)

80

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Repeated consultation with a dermatologist (Algirdas Šumila)

70

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Inspection (Algirdas Šumila)

60

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Consultation with a dermatologist (Edita Zubrickienė)

70

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Repeated consultation of a dermatologist (Edita Zubrickienė)

60

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Inspection (Edita Zubrickienė)

50

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Consultation with a dermatologist (Laimutė Trociukienė)

80

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Repeated consultation of a dermatologist (Laimutė Trociukienė)

70

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Inspection (Laimutė Trociukienė)

60

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Consultation with a dermatologist (Rūta Šidlauskienė)

80

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Repeated consultation of a dermatologist (Rūta Šidlauskienė)

70

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Inspection (Rūta Šidlauskienė)

60

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Microscopic examination for fungus (One nail)

10

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Crop due to fungus

30

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Microsporum canis; Epidermophyton floccosum; Trichophyton rubrum; Identification of pan-dermatophytes (T.mentagrophytes, T. interdigitale, T. verrucosum, T. tonsurans;) fungi

50

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Candida albicans; detection of fungi

30

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Candida spp.; detection of fungi

44

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