Noah Sinclair
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, such as people's nails, skin, and pool decks. A fungal nail infection, or onychomycosis, occurs when fungi overgrow in, under, or on the nail, causing nails to become discolored, thick, and/or brittle. The infection usually starts at the edge of the nail and spreads slowly to the rest of the nail, making it easy to break. It can be passed from person to person and is more likely to occur if you walk barefoot in communal spaces such as locker rooms and gyms, or share nail grooming tools without properly disinfecting them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medical name | Onychomycosis |
| Cause | Several types of fungi that grow in moist, warm places like people's nails |
| Symptoms | Nail becomes thick, discoloured, brittle, and easy to break |
| Treatment | Antifungal nail medicine, antifungal tablets, antifungal creams, medicated nail lacquers, oral antifungals, laser therapies, and nail debridement |
| Prevention | Avoid walking barefoot in communal spaces, avoid sharing nail grooming tools, avoid wearing tight or sweaty shoes, keep feet dry |
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What You'll Learn
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places
Fungal nail infections, or onychomycosis, occur when fungi overgrow in, under, or on the nail. The nail becomes thick, discoloured, and brittle, and may separate from the nail bed. It can affect both toenails and fingernails, but toenails are more commonly affected. The infection usually starts at the edge of the nail and spreads slowly to the rest of the nail.
Fungal nail infections are contagious and can spread through direct contact with an infected person or item. This includes touching someone with a fungal infection, or using contaminated items such as unwashed towels, shoes, or nail grooming tools. Walking barefoot in places like communal showers, gyms, and pool decks can also increase the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection.
Certain factors can make individuals more susceptible to fungal nail infections. These include having a weakened immune system, athlete's foot, blood circulation problems, nail injuries, or a history of nail fungus. Additionally, wearing tight or poorly ventilated shoes, sharing nail grooming tools, and not disinfecting them properly can also increase the risk of infection.
To prevent and treat fungal nail infections, it is important to maintain good nail hygiene and avoid walking barefoot in communal areas. Keeping nails trimmed and disinfecting nail grooming tools can also help reduce the risk of infection. If you suspect a fungal nail infection, it is recommended to seek medical advice from a healthcare provider or pharmacist, as treatments can take a long time and early intervention is important.
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Nail fungus is contagious
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, including people's skin, nails, and pool decks. They can also survive on everyday objects such as unwashed shower floors, nail-grooming tools, and towels. This makes nail fungus contagious.
Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, occurs when fungi overgrow in, under, or on the nail, causing nails to become discoloured, thick, and/or brittle. It is often caused by the same fungus that causes athlete's foot, which can spread to the nails if you have a nail injury or cut your nails improperly.
Fungal nail infections can spread from other people. You can get a fungal nail infection by walking barefoot in places like communal showers and gyms. It can also be spread by sharing items such as unwashed towels, shoes, or nail-grooming tools that haven't been properly disinfected.
Fungal nail infections are challenging to treat and often do not go away without prescription antifungal medications. Treatment can take a long time and may cause side effects. It is important to take preventative measures to avoid getting a fungal nail infection and to keep from spreading the infection to others if you have one.
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Treatment can take a long time
Treatment for nail fungus can take a long time. This is because the infection develops slowly and can spread to multiple nails. It usually starts at the edge of the nail before spreading to the rest of the nail. The nail becomes thick, discoloured, and easy to break. In some cases, the whole nail can break off, causing the skin around it to become painful and swollen.
The length of treatment depends on the type of medication used and the severity of the infection. Antifungal pills like itraconazole and terbinafine work better than creams and gels. Typically, these pills are taken for 12 weeks, but the fungus may not be completely gone for 10 months or longer. It can take at least 6 months to as long as 18 months to see your nail return to normal. Prescription medications like terbinafine work faster than home remedies, but you still need to take them for about 12 weeks.
It is important to be patient and take the medication or cream as prescribed for as long as necessary. Stopping treatment too early could cause the infection to return. In some cases, badly infected nails may need to be removed through a small procedure done under local anaesthetic.
To prevent toenail fungus, it is recommended to wear shower shoes or flip-flops in public places like locker rooms or swimming pool decks. Keeping your nails clean and dry can also help prevent nail fungus.
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Athlete's foot can cause nail fungus
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, such as nails, skin, and pool decks. Toenail fungus can affect people of all ages, but older adults are more susceptible. This is because, as we age, our nails grow more slowly, and we lose some of our ability to fight off infections.
Athlete's foot, or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the skin that usually starts between the toes. It is caused by the same type of fungi, dermatophytes, that cause nail fungus. These fungi can easily spread from one part of the foot to another. For example, if you have athlete's foot between your toes, the fungus can spread to your toenails and cause nail fungus.
The fungi that cause athlete's foot and nail fungus thrive in similar environments, such as public swimming pools, communal showers, and saunas. People with diabetes and weak immune systems are more likely to develop both conditions. Additionally, both conditions can occur simultaneously.
To prevent the spread of athlete's foot and nail fungus, it is important to keep your feet dry and clean, change your socks regularly, and protect your feet in public places. It is also recommended to let your shoes dry out completely between uses and to avoid sharing personal care items such as nail clippers and towels.
If you suspect you have athlete's foot or nail fungus, it is important to seek treatment promptly. Over-the-counter antifungal medications are often effective for athlete's foot, while most cases of toenail fungus can be treated with self-care and over-the-counter antifungal products. However, if the condition does not improve, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and treatment.
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Older adults are more prone to nail fungus
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places, such as nails, skin, pool decks, and locker rooms. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common fungal infection that affects toenails, but it can also infect fingernails. It often starts at the edge of the nail and spreads to the rest of it, causing the nail to thicken, discolour, and break easily.
Furthermore, age-related changes in the body increase susceptibility to health conditions, including nail fungus. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), nearly 50% of Americans aged 60 and above suffer from nail fungus. This prevalence is attributed to the increased vulnerability of older adults to fungal infections.
Lifestyle factors also contribute to the higher incidence of nail fungus in older adults. Ageing adults may experience a decline in immune function, making it harder for them to combat fungal infections. Additionally, they may be more likely to wear tight shoes, have sweaty feet, or engage in activities that keep their hands or feet wet for extended periods, creating favourable conditions for fungal growth.
To prevent and manage nail fungus, older adults should maintain good foot hygiene, keep their nails trimmed and clean, and wear breathable footwear. Avoiding walking barefoot in communal areas, such as locker rooms, can also reduce the risk of contracting nail fungus. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential for personalized advice and treatment options.
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Frequently asked questions
The nail becomes thick, discoloured, and brittle, turning brown, white, yellow or black. It may also crumble or break easily.
Fungi that cause nail infections thrive in warm, moist places like people's skin, nails, and pool decks. They can also grow on everyday objects like unwashed shower floors, nail-grooming tools, and towels.
A pharmacist may suggest an antifungal nail medicine that you brush onto the nail. You may need to use this regularly for a few months. If treatments from a pharmacy don't work, your GP may prescribe antifungal tablets.
