The fungal infection of the nail is called:

• A. Onychomycosis
• B. Tinea pedis
• C. Onychia
• D. Paronychia

Answer: (A)

Fungal infection of the nail is called onychomycosis. It happens when fungi invade the nail plate and bed, causing nails to thicken, discolor (often yellow or white), and sometimes detach from the nail bed. It’s most commonly due to dermatophytes like Trichophyton rubrum, though yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds can also be involved. This differs from other nail or skin infections: tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the skin on the feet, onychia is inflammation of the nail matrix or bed, and paronychia is infection around the nail folds. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications over several months, and good foot hygiene helps prevent recurrence.