Caleb Foster
Fungal nail infections are a common condition that can leave you with brittle, discoloured nails, usually on your toes. The formal name for this condition is onychomycosis, and it is similar to athlete's foot. Fungi are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope, and they can cause a nail infection when they are present in large numbers in one area. You can pick up a fungal nail infection through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, or by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Formal name | Onychomycosis |
| Similar to | Athlete's foot |
| Appearance | Brittle, discoloured nails |
| Cause | Fungi (microscopic organisms) |
| Transmission | Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, walking barefoot in warm and moist areas, sharing nail clippers or towels, frequently moist nails, sweaty socks and shoes |
| Location | Nails, usually toenails |
| Start point | Edge of the nail |
| Types | Proximal subungual onychomycosis, candidal onychomycosis |
| Complications | Cellulitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tissue damage, nail loss |
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What You'll Learn
Symptoms of fungal nail infections include brittle, discoloured nails
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are a common condition that usually affects the toenails, but can sometimes be found on the fingernails. Symptoms of fungal nail infections include brittle, discoloured nails. The infection can start at the edge of the nail and move outward as the nail grows. Nails may become swollen and inflamed, and can even come off entirely.
Fungal nail infections are caused by tiny, microscopic organisms called fungi. These organisms thrive in warm, moist areas and can be picked up through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm. Walking barefoot in warm, moist areas, such as a pool deck or locker room, can also lead to a fungal nail infection. Sharing infected nail clippers or towels, or frequently wearing sweaty socks and shoes, can also increase the risk of developing a fungal nail infection.
While non-life-threatening, onychomycosis can lead to severe complications such as cellulitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tissue damage, and nail loss. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of fungal nail infections and to seek treatment if necessary.
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How to catch a fungal nail infection
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are a common condition that can leave you with brittle, discoloured nails. They usually affect the toenails, but you can sometimes get them on your fingernails, too. They often start at the edge of the nail and can be caused by a variety of different fungi.
You can catch a fungal nail infection by having skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. You can also pick up the infection by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area, such as a pool deck or locker room, as the fungi thrive in these conditions.
Another way to catch a fungal nail infection is by sharing infected nail clippers or towels. However, you can also get an infection if your nails are frequently moist or you often wear sweaty socks and shoes, without coming into contact with an infected person.
Fungal nail infections are not life-threatening, but they can lead to severe complications such as cellulitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tissue damage, and nail loss.
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Types of fungal nail infections
Fungal nail infections are a common condition that usually affects the toenails, but can also occur on the fingernails. The formal name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis, which is similar to athlete's foot. Fungi are tiny organisms that can only be seen through a microscope. There are many different types of fungi that can cause a nail infection. Sometimes they live on the skin and don't cause any issues, but if there are a lot of them in one area, an infection may occur.
Fungal nail infections usually start at the edge of the nail and can leave nails brittle and discoloured. They can be picked up through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. They can also be contracted by walking barefoot in warm, moist areas, such as a pool deck or locker room, as fungi thrive in these conditions. Sharing infected nail clippers or towels can also lead to a fungal nail infection.
There are several types of fungal nail infections, including proximal subungual onychomycosis and candidal onychomycosis. Proximal subungual onychomycosis first appears as white spots in the centre of the nail bed at the cuticle, moving outward as the nail grows. It is rare and usually affects people with immune system problems, such as HIV infection. Candidal onychomycosis is caused by yeast and usually affects the fingernails. The area around the nails is often swollen and inflamed, and the nails may come off entirely. It tends to occur when nails have been damaged by an injury or another infection.
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How to treat a fungal nail infection
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are a common condition that can leave you with brittle, discoloured nails, usually on your toes. They can be caused by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm, or by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area, such as a pool or locker room.
To treat a fungal nail infection, you can try an over-the-counter antifungal cream, gel or polish. Keep your nails clean and dry, and change your socks often. Try not to go barefoot in public places, and don't share personal items like towels and nail clippers.
If the infection is severe or keeps coming back, your doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal medication that you apply to your nail. They may also recommend oral antifungal medication, such as Lamisil (brand name) or terbinafine (generic). In the most serious cases, the infected nail can be chemically or surgically removed, combined with treatment with antifungal medication. Laser therapy is another option for treating fungal nail infections.
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Complications of fungal nail infections
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis, are a common condition that can leave you with brittle, discoloured nails. They usually affect the toenails, but can sometimes be found on the fingernails, too. They are caused by tiny, microscopic organisms called fungi, which thrive in warm, moist areas. You can pick up these fungi through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm, or by walking barefoot in a warm, damp environment like a pool or locker room. They can also be spread by sharing nail clippers or towels, or by frequently wearing sweaty socks and shoes.
While fungal nail infections are not life-threatening, they can lead to severe complications. These include cellulitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tissue damage, and nail loss. One type of fungal nail infection is proximal subungual onychomycosis, which appears first as white spots in the centre of the nail bed at the cuticle and moves outward as the nail grows. It is rare and usually affects people with immune system problems, such as HIV infection. Another type is candidal onychomycosis, which is caused by yeast and usually affects the fingernails. The area around the nails is often swollen and inflamed, and the nails may come off entirely. This type of infection tends to happen to nails that have been damaged by an injury or another infection.
It is important to seek medical advice if you suspect you have a fungal nail infection. Treatment options are available, and early diagnosis can help prevent the development of more serious complications.
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Frequently asked questions
A fungal nail infection is a common condition that can leave you with brittle, discoloured nails, usually on your toes. It's a lot like athlete's foot, but instead of affecting the skin on the bottom of your feet or between your toes, it invades your nails.
A fungal nail infection usually starts at the edge of the nail. It can leave your nails brittle and discoloured. Proximal subungual onychomycosis appears first as white spots in the centre of the nail bed at the cuticle, moving outward as the nail grows.
Fungi are tiny organisms that you can only see through a microscope. Many different types can cause a nail infection. You can pick up the fungi through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection, such as athlete's foot or ringworm on their hands. You can also get a fungal nail infection by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area, like a pool deck or locker room.
Although fungal nail infections are not life-threatening, they can lead to severe complications such as cellulitis, sepsis, osteomyelitis, tissue damage, and nail loss. You should seek advice from a medical professional.
You can prevent a fungal nail infection by keeping your nails dry and clean, and by avoiding walking barefoot in warm, moist areas.
