Nail Fungus

Overview:

A nail fungus infection occurs when a fungus infects your fingernails or toenails. It may first show up as a yellow or white spot under your nail tip. As it works its way deeper within your nails, it can cause nail discoloration, thickening and edges that crumble easily. This is not only unsightly, but it is also a problem that may potentially be painful.

Nail fungus infections generally develop on a nail that is continuously exposed to moist and warm environments, where fungus thrives. Such areas include shower floors at pools, and sweaty shoes. It is a different thing from athlete’s foot, which affects mainly the skin of the feet. But the same kind of fungus can cause both, and you can experience both problems at one time.

A toe with nail fungus can be hard to treat, and even after you do treat it, the infections can sometimes recur. But there are medications available to help defeat the fungus.

Suspect a fungal infection if one or more nails are darker in color from the others; dull and without shine; a different shape than usual; ragged, crumbly and brittle, or thickened. Any nails that are infected may also pull away from the nail-bed. You might feel toe or finger pain, and there might be a barely detectable odor.

Fungi themselves are organisms not able to be seen with the naked eye. They live without needing any sunlight, and some actually can be beneficial. Others cause infection and illness. Nail fungus infections are generally caused by fungi that are part of the family known as dermatophytes. Some molds and yeasts can cause fungal infections in nails.

All microorganisms such as these live in moist and warm environments, which may include showers and swimming pools. They can get into your skin through tiny cuts or small breaks between your nail-bed and your nail. They usually only create a problem if your nails are constantly exposed to moisture and warmth. These conditions are just what the fungi need to grow and spread.

Toenails are usually more affected by fungus than fingernails, simply because the toes are confined in the dark and moist environment that fungi thrive in. There is also sometimes less efficient blood flow to your feet, which can cause your immune system to take longer to respond to the infection and attempt to eliminate it.

Older adults have more cases of nail fungus, due to diminished flow of blood, more time exposed to fungus, and because their nails tend to grow more slowly and thickly. Men are more likely to contract nail fungus than women, and those whose family has fungus issues may be more at risk. Resistance to nail fungus seems to have a background in your genetics.

Causes:

Some factors make it more likely that you will develop nail fungus, including diabetes, a weak immune system or a nail already damaged; heavy perspiration; poor circulation; working or playing in a moist and humid environment; walking with bare feet in areas like shower rooms, gyms, swimming pools and other damp public places; wearing shoes and socks that do not aid ventilation and that don’t do a good job of absorbing perspiration.

Once you have a case of nail fungus, it can persist for extended periods of time if you don’t treat it. See your doctor when a fungus is first suspected, not after your nails are thickened and discolored.

Diagnosing nail fungus involves your physician examining your nails, and he or she may scrape out some debris, to analyze it. The nail debris can be lab-cultured or examined with a microscope, to find out the cause of the infection. Once you know the cause, you can more effectively treat it.

Treatment:

Nail fungus is often hard to treat, and you may face repeated infections even after you think you’ve cleared your nails up. You can buy medications over the counter, but they aren’t as effective as prescription medications. Your doctor may prescribe oral anti-fungals, which may take months to fully work, since only the growing, new nail is healthy.

Anti-fungal drugs also can cause side effects, from liver damage to skin rash. Your physician may also recommend an antifungal lacquer, or topical medications or creams.

If your nail fungus is serious or painful, your physician may remove the nail. A new and hopefully healthier nail will grow in its place, but it can take a year for the full nail to grow.

To prevent nail fungus and reduce the chances for future infections, keep your nails clean and short, make sure your feet are fully dry after showers, wear socks that wick moisture away and let your feet breathe when you don’t have to be wearing shoes.