Black Fungal Nail Infection

Black fungus under the fingernails or toenails is a serious infection that shouldn't be taken lightly. Fungi like to grow and breed in warm, damp places, which makes nail beds a perfect breeding ground.

Causes

• Black fungal nail infections are most likely to affect athletes and the elderly. Public gyms, showers and swimming pools are the perfect breeding ground for fungal infections. Poor hygiene can also cause fungal nail infections.

Signs

• Aside from discoloration, there are a few other signs of nail infection. The nail may appear to be thicker or deformed. Slight pain may occur in the tip of the finger or the toe, and layers of the nail may peel or flake off.

Treatments

• Soaking in hot water and salts may help, but it won't completely remove the infection. Over-the-counter anti-fungal creams are available for fungal nail infections, but are mostly ineffective for more serious infections. Physicians can prescribe more potent oral anti-fungal medications, but many have side effects. (Discuss any daily medications thoroughly with your doctor.)

Prevention

• Public showers, locker rooms and pools are high-risk places when it comes to fungal nail infections. Wearing protective footwear in these places can help lower your risk of infection. Make sure your feet are clean and completely dry after bathing and swimming. Also, keeping clean, dry and neatly manicured nails is important when trying to avoid fungal infections. When getting manicures and pedicures, pay close attention to how the tools being used are sterilized, and never share nail files or emery boards.

Cautions

• If left untreated, the infection may spread to other fingers and toes. Blood samples may be required to determine the possible spreading of infection to other parts of the body