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Fungal Toenail/s (Known as Onychomycosis)

The benefit of using a Foot Health Practitioner for fungal nail/s diagnosis:

The advice provided on effective treatment for your fungal nail/s along with information and advice on how to try and prevent the infection from spreading, thriving, and potential recurrence.

Fungal nail/s assessment and treatment:

Your assessment starts with taking your medical history and update on the symptoms along with a full examination of your feet, and nails to reach a diagnosis.

Fungal nail/s infections are common, highly contagious, and can look unsightly. There are several treatments for fungal nails and your treatment will depend upon the extent of your infection and one most suitable for you.

There are two types of fungi responsible for fungal nails, dermatophytes and yeast. Distinguishing the type of fungi is important, as the treatment is different for dermatophyte and yeast infections.

It is important to treat fungal nail at the first signs of infection with diligence in the treatment to eradicate the fungus.

Treatment of fungal nails takes time and patience; this is because it takes time for the new, uninfected nail to grow through.

What is fungal nail/s (Onychomycosis)

Fungal nail (known as onychomycosis) is a type of infection. It isn’t a bacterial infection and is caused by a fungus which can cause the nail to become thickened and discoloured.

Several fungi can cause fungal nail/s, but the most common offender is dermatophyte called trichophyton rubrum.

Fungi thrive in warm, moist dark environments and therefore, footwear is an ideal breeding ground with the big toenail the most affected.

What causes fungal nails?

Fungal nail/s will occur as a result of fungi that infect the nail or skin. The infection occurs when the nail plate is damaged, this is how the fungus invades the nail, and it then spreads due to the dermatophytes' ability to take nutrients from keratin. Keratin is a protein found in the skin and nails.

Who can get fungal nails?

Anyone can contract a fungal nail/s infection, however, some of us can be more at risk of fungal nails than others. These include:

  • Already have athlete’s foot

  • A damaged nail/s

  • Living with someone who has a fungal nail/s

  • When you have a weakened immune system

  • You have diabetes

  • You have psoriasis

  • Suffering from peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation)

  • Sweaty feet

  • Athletes and frequents users of gyms and swimming pool

What are the signs and symptoms of fungal nails?

The fungal nail will vary and overtime a fungi can progress into the whole nail/s. Signs of fungal nail/s may include:

  • Thickened nail/s

  • Toenail/s with deep ridges

  • Discoloured nail/s

  • Lifting and cracked nail/s

  • Distortion of the nail/s

  • Nail/s separated from the nail bed

  • Debris beneath the nail plate

  • The possibility the nail/s will emit a foul odour

Types of fungal nails:

As mentioned before it is important to treat your fungal nail/s as soon as possible to stop the fungi thriving, spreading, and to ensure it doesn’t become a severe fungal nail/s or spreads to other nails and skin.

There are many types of fungal nail/s with each type named to their position on the nail and the amount of infection. These include:

Distal subungual onychomycosis:

  • The most common with the infection at the tip of and underneath the nail and usually affects the outside corner.

Proximal subungual onychomycosis:

  • This type of infection is more common if you have a weakened immune system with the infection beginning at the base of the nail and often this type of infection will see red and inflamed surrounding the skin.

White superficial onychomycosis:

  • The second most common infection which begins on the surface of the nail as opposed to underneath. The characteristic of this infection is white patches on the surface of the nail.

Candida onychomycosis:

  • This is caused by yeast and usually, with this type of infection, you will have a yeast infection elsewhere in your body. The infection usually begins at the cuticle and affects the surrounding skin and can produce white, green, or brown discolouration of the nail.

Total dystrophic onychomycosis:

  • This is the more advanced stage of any of the above and the entire nail/s are affected. Sometimes this can damage the nail matrix (the root) which may permanently disfigure the nail/s.

Summary:

Fungal nail is a common issue, contagious, and can look unsightly. Many causes lead to fungal nail/s and treatment is dependent on the type of fungus and severity of the condition. It is important to start the treatment of a fungal nail/s as soon as possible to avoid the fungus thriving and to restore a healthy toenail/s.

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