A survey by the Taiwanese Dermatological Association suggested that having onychomycosis — a fungal infection of the nail — can hinder intimate relationships, with 90.1 percent of single female respondents saying they would lose sexual interest if a partner had the disease.
Association spokesperson and dermatologist Huang Yu-huei (黃毓惠) said the survey asked 1,024 people about onychomycosis and relationships. Of the respondents, 39 percent had been diagnosed with onychomycosis.
A 25-year-old man surnamed Liao (廖), who had athlete’s foot and later developed onychomycosis on his toenails, was once refused sexual intercourse by his girlfriend because she complained about his toenails being discolored, the association said.
Liao sought treatment at a dermatological clinic the next day, and was cured after applying topical medication for about two to three months, it said.
Huang said the survey showed that if a respondent’s partner has onychomycosis, nearly 60 percent would not want to hold hands and 61 percent would not want to have sex.
“Like athlete’s foot, onychomycosis is caused by a fungal infection,” Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital dermatologist Lee Yung-yi (李勇毅) said, adding that about 10 to 20 percent of people who have athlete’s foot for more than a year would develop onychomycosis.
Neglecting treatment might cause the fungal infection to spread, and can lead to the development of paronychia or cellulitis, he said, adding that people should seek treatment immediately if symptoms occur.
Onychomycosis and athlete’s foot can be prevented by keeping feet dry and clean, so people should wear porous shoes, change into slippers when sitting in the office for long hours, and always dry between their toes after taking a bath, the association said.
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