Live Life Team
Onychomycosis or fungal infection of the nails is a condition that normally affects the toenails. This is normally found more in men and older people.
Fungal infections may be
athlete’s foot that affects the foot
Candida that affects the skin present around skin, more commonly fingernails.
Fungal infections do not have any pain or any symptoms. The treatment of nail infection takes long time.
Symptoms
The nails which develop the fungal infection become thickened and get discoloured. The nails become black, yellow, green or white in colour. The nails turn brittle and even come away from the finger or toe.
The skin present under the infected nails develops inflammation and become painful.
Causes
Usually fungal infection of the toe nails occur due to the presence of fungal infections of the skin.
The other factors that may trigger fungal infection of the toes are using trainers or if the person has sweating legs for a long time. This is because the fungi grow in damp and warm conditions.
Nail infections can also be triggered by:
- damage of the nails
- biting the nails constantly
- health conditions like psoriasis or diabetes
- having an immune system that is very weak , i.e. immunosuppression
- having a very poor health generally
- spending life in a humid and warm climate
as well as - smoking
Diagnosis
Tests are performed to find out the real cause of the fungal infections on the nails.
Treatment
The treatment for nail infections is of two categories. These include:
- use of antifungal tablets
- as well as
- use of antifungal nail paints.
Oral antifungal medications are very effective as they reach the bloodstream directly. But the major drawback is that one may have to use the antifungal tablets for a long period of time. The major advantage of using the antifungal tablets is that they can be used for treating any fungal infections of the skin.
Even though the antifungal nail paints are not so effective as the use of oral antifungal drugs, because it is applied only to the mails, but it may not reach the point of infection.
It may even take up to one or two years for the infection to disappear if a person ifs using antifungal nail paints.
Recovery
The new nail starts developing while the treatment is still on. The old nails that were infected starts growing out. These can be clipped off after some time.
The doctor must be notified in case the new nail does not start growing. If the treatment is stopped very early, then chances of the infection getting recurred is high.
During the treatment period, one must keep the feet cool as well as dry. The person will be advised to wear socks and shoes that will help in the evaporation of the sweat in a proper way.
Use of cotton socks is advisable. One must avoid the use of trainers during the treatment period.
Complications
Even though fungal nail infections do not cause any infections as such, the lack of treatment can cause difficulty in walking. The spreading of infection can lead to cellulites as well as osteomyelitis.
