Isla Bennett
Fingernail fungus is a common condition that can cause nails to become thick, discoloured, brittle, and painful. It is usually caused by the same fungi that cause athlete's foot and ringworm, which thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments. While mild cases may not require treatment, more severe infections can lead to permanent nail damage and may not clear up on their own. Treatment options include oral antifungal medications, topical solutions, and nail paints, as well as laser treatment for stubborn infections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does it go away on its own? | No, fungal nail infections will continue to get worse without treatment. |
| Treatment | Antifungal medication is available in tablets or as a special paint that is applied directly to the nail. |
| Treatment duration | Treatment may be required for several months. Fingernails should heal in about six weeks, while toenails may take 12 weeks or more. |
| Prevention | Avoid walking barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread, such as communal showers, locker rooms, and gyms. Wear rubber gloves if you have damp or wet hands for extended periods. |
| Symptoms | Thickening and distortion of the nail, pain or discomfort, brittle or crumbly nails, discoloration (white or yellow spots or patches), swelling of the surrounding skin. |
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What You'll Learn
- Fungal nail infections are unlikely to go away on their own
- Treatment options include antifungal medication, nail removal, and laser treatment
- Prevention is key: keep your hands and feet dry and avoid walking barefoot
- Symptoms include thick, discoloured, brittle, crumbly, distorted, and painful nails
- Diagnosis is done through microscopic examination and fungal culture
Fungal nail infections are unlikely to go away on their own
Fungal nail infections, or mycotic nails, are highly unlikely to go away on their own. The infection occurs when a fungus overgrows in, under, or on the nail, causing it to thicken and become fragile. It may also change colour, turning white or yellow, and can be difficult to trim. The infection can spread and worsen over time, causing the nail to crack and separate from the nail bed.
Mycotic nails require treatment and will not heal without it. While mild cases may not require medical intervention, more severe or troublesome infections will need antifungal medication. Oral antifungal medications , such as terbinafine and itraconazole, are the most commonly prescribed treatments for fungal nail infections. These medications are taken once or twice a day for several months to ensure the infection clears completely. It is important to note that if medication is stopped too early, the infection may return.
Topical antifungal treatments, such as nail lacquer or solutions, are also available. However, they are not as effective as oral medications because they cannot reach the deeper layers of the nail. Treatment kits from pharmacies often contain antifungal nail paint, a urea paste to soften the infected nail, and a scraping device to remove the infected parts gradually.
Fungal nail infections can develop when the fungi that cause athlete's foot infects the nails. These fungi thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments, such as the feet. Walking barefoot in communal areas like showers, locker rooms, and gyms can increase the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection. Additionally, keeping the hands or feet constantly damp or sweaty can create favourable conditions for the fungi to multiply and cause an infection.
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Treatment options include antifungal medication, nail removal, and laser treatment
Fingernail fungus does not go away on its own, and treatment is required to eliminate the infection. Treatment options include antifungal medication, nail removal, and laser treatment.
Antifungal medication, such as oral antibiotics, can target the fungus under the nails. However, these medications often require long-term use, which can disrupt the body's natural microbiome. Topical antifungal treatments are also an option, but their benefit is limited due to the difficulty of penetrating the nail to reach the infection.
Nail removal is another treatment option for fingernail fungus. This procedure involves surgically removing the infected nail to eliminate the fungus. However, this approach can be invasive and may not be suitable for everyone.
Laser treatment has emerged as a promising option for treating fingernail fungus. This method uses a powerful laser that penetrates the nail to reach the fungal infection underneath. The laser destroys the fungus, helping to restore the nail's normal colour and thickness. Two types of laser devices are commonly used: blue light lasers and carbon dioxide lasers, both proven effective in treating toenail fungus infections. A clinical study found that patients treated with these lasers showed clear nails three and six months after treatment, with a 91% improvement in symptoms after six months. Most patients require at least two laser treatments, and the results may take at least two months to become visible. It can take up to a year for nails to fully regrow without blemishes.
It is important to consult with a board-certified podiatrist or dermatologist to determine the best treatment option for fingernail fungus. They can assess the infection, discuss your goals, and provide guidance on the most suitable treatment method for your specific case.
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Prevention is key: keep your hands and feet dry and avoid walking barefoot
Nail fungal infections are usually caused by exposure to a fungus. The fungus grows in wet, dark, and warm conditions, and enters your nail through a crack in the nail. Fungi thrive in damp, warm areas, and can easily spread to other people.
Preventing nail fungus is key to maintaining good nail health. To prevent nail fungus, it is important to keep your hands and feet dry. This means avoiding having damp or sweaty hands and feet for too long. Wash your hands and feet with soap and water, taking care to wash between your toes, and dry them thoroughly. You can also use an over-the-counter antifungal foot powder to keep your feet dry. If you have dry skin, moisturize within 5 minutes of bathing to prevent cracking, as fungi can enter through small cracks in the skin.
Additionally, it is important to avoid walking barefoot in public areas such as locker rooms, gyms, communal showers, and public pools. These are places where fungal infections can easily spread. Instead, wear flip-flops or shower sandals in these areas, and keep a pair of flip-flops near the pool so you can put them on as soon as you get out of the water. If you have been treating nail fungus, it is recommended to throw away any shoes, boots, or skates that you wore before starting treatment, as fungi can live in footwear. Alternatively, you can disinfect your footwear using an ultraviolet (UV) shoe sanitizer or ozone cabinet.
If you work with chemicals or your hands will be wet for a long period, wear waterproof gloves to protect your hands and prevent infection.
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Symptoms include thick, discoloured, brittle, crumbly, distorted, and painful nails
Fungal nail infections, or onychomycosis, are unlikely to go away on their own without treatment. They'll continue to get worse, and in the late stages, your nails could crack and completely separate from the nail bed. While mild cases may not require treatment, more severe or troublesome infections will likely need antifungal medication.
Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include thick, discoloured, brittle, crumbly, distorted, and painful nails. The nail may become thickened and distorted, with an unusual shape or texture, and be difficult to trim. The nail may also become discoloured, turning yellow, white, brownish, or even blackish. In addition, the nail may become brittle or crumbly, with pieces breaking off and coming away completely.
The infection starts in the layers of the nail and then goes deeper. The nail separates from the nail bed, making it thick and fragile. This separation initially occurs between the layers of the nail and then goes deeper, eventually reaching the nail bed. The nail becomes distorted and may become an unusual shape or texture, making it difficult to trim.
Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungi, including dermatophytes and Candida, which invade the nails. These fungi thrive in dark, warm, and moist places, such as the feet, and can spread easily in communal areas like showers, locker rooms, and gyms. Walking barefoot in these areas increases the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection.
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Diagnosis is done through microscopic examination and fungal culture
A fungal nail infection, or mycotic nail, is a fungal infection that affects your toenails or fingernails. It is also known as onychomycosis. The infection starts in the layers of the nail and then goes deeper, causing the nail to separate from the nail bed, becoming thick and fragile, and possibly changing colour.
Diagnosis of a fungal nail infection is critical as onychomycosis is transmissible between humans and impacts patients' quality of life. A combination of clinical examination and mycological testing ensures accurate diagnosis.
Mycological testing can include microscopic examination, fungal culture, and histopathology of nail clippings. For a microscopic examination, a nail clipping is reviewed under light microscopy using potassium hydroxide to dissolve keratinocyte material and assess for the presence of fungal hyphae. This test is quick but lacks sensitivity and specificity.
Fungal culture is the standard diagnostic test to identify the causative organism of a fungal nail infection. Results can take weeks and a large specimen collection may be required. The nail must be cleaned with 70% isopropyl alcohol and soapy water prior to specimen collection. Samples should be taken prior to starting any treatment.
Histopathological assessment involves examining the microscopic features of nail clipping specimens embedded in paraffin blocks. To acquire an adequate nail sample for examination, at least 4 mm of the free edge of the nail plate should be retrieved using a dual-action or heavy-duty nail nipper. After paraffin embedding and sectioning, stains such as haematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, or Grocott methenamine silver staining can highlight the presence of fungi.
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Frequently asked questions
No, fungal nail infections won't go away without treatment and will continue to get worse.
Symptoms include thickening and distortion of the nail, pain or discomfort, brittle or crumbly nails, and discolouration.
Fungi that are already present in or on the body can cause nail infections. They thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate.
Antifungal medication is recommended for more severe or troublesome fungal nail infections. Antifungal medication comes in tablets or a special paint you apply directly to the nail.
It can take between 6 and 18 months for the appearance of the affected nail to return to normal.
