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Fungal Nail Diseases

Fungal nail disease occurs when a fungus gets trapped under the fingernail or toenail causing an infection. Fungi can enter the nail bed through injuries around the nail bed or between where the nail and skin meet up. A nail fungus can easily heal when treated properly, but can be serious if you have diabetes or an immune disease.

  1. What is a fungal infection

    • A fungus is a living organism that can grow and multiply, especially in a wet, moist, warm environment. The fungus that causes these infections are usually yeast and molds and most are the same fungus that cause athletes feet. If you have an athlete's foot infection the fungus can spread from between the toes to under the nail bed.

    How You Get It

    • Nail fungus can be spread from person to person in a shower, public pool or by sharing a toenail clipper. Sharing shoes or socks can also increase your risk of getting a fungal infection. Toenail fungus is more common among the elderly, but can affect anyone at any age if the conditions are right. Fingernail fungus is more common in women who have acrylic nails.

    Symptoms

    • When you have a fungal infection of the nail you may notice your nail getting thicker and changing color to white or yellow. The nail can start to separate from the skin, accompanied with pain and possibly a foul odor.

      A fungal infection will not usually go away unless treated. Your nail can come off completely, leaving your toes unprotected if you allow the fungus to grow unchecked. If you have diabetes, a nail infection could lead to further complications such as a serious bacterial infection.

    Treatment

    • There are anti-fungal creams you can purchase over the counter to treat the condition. There are also nail polishes that provide anti-fungal properties in them; however, they're only available with a prescription. If the fungus does not go away, or you have diabetes, your doctor may prescribe an oral anti-fungal medication. A more recent option for treating a fungal infection is laser treatments to photo-dynamically kill the fungus. Surgical removal of the fungus is a last resort.

    Prevention

    • If you live or work in a wet environment, be sure to dry your shoes out every night or wear dry shoes the next day. Each night put cedar shoetrees in your wet shoes to dry them out. Every evening make sure you allow your feet to dry out in the fresh air. A preventative treatment for fungal infection is to soak your feet in a solution of one to two parts vinegar and water for 15 minutes a day.

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