Ava Monroe
Fungi are normally present in and on the body alongside various bacteria. However, when a fungus begins to overgrow, it can enter through small cracks in your nail or the nearby skin, causing infection. This often happens when the skin stays wet or sweaty for long periods, creating a warm, moist environment that encourages the growth of fungi. Fungi can also spread to the nails from other people through the sharing of items such as unwashed towels, shoes, or nail-grooming tools. Older adults are at a higher risk of developing nail fungus due to poorer circulation and slower nail growth.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of fungal nail infection | Fungi that live in the environment enter through small cracks in the nail or nearby skin |
| Conditions for fungal growth | Fungi thrive in warm, moist, and dark places |
| Risk factors | Age, nail injury, long nails, tight shoes, sweaty socks and shoes, walking barefoot in public spaces, sharing nail grooming tools, weakened immune system, cancer, diabetes, athlete's foot, psoriasis, poor circulation |
| Symptoms | Nail becomes thick, discoloured (white/yellow), jagged, prone to crumbling, breaking, or falling off |
| Diagnosis | A doctor or dermatologist will take a nail scraping or clipping to examine under a microscope; may send sample to a lab for analysis |
| Treatment | Antifungal medication in the form of tablets, creams, lacquers, or solutions; laser treatment to improve nail appearance post-infection |
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What You'll Learn
Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments
Fungal nail infections often affect the toenails, but they can also occur in the fingernails. The infection usually starts at the edge of the nail and spreads slowly 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 pain and swelling in the surrounding skin.
Fungal nail infections are caused by the same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm. These fungi multiply in warm, dark, and moist places like the feet. Walking barefoot in warm, humid public spaces such as swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms, showers, and saunas can increase the risk of contracting a fungal nail infection.
Additionally, excessive sweat inside socks and shoes, wearing wet shoes or gloves, and having conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can create an ideal environment for fungi to grow uncontrolled. Older adults are at a higher risk of developing fungal nail infections due to poorer circulation and slower nail growth, which makes it easier for the fungi to overpopulate.
To prevent and treat fungal nail infections, it is important to keep the nails and surrounding skin dry and avoid environments that promote fungal growth, such as warm and moist places.
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Infections can spread from other people
Fungal nail infections, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, are caused by fungi that live in the environment. They enter through small cracks in the nail or the nearby skin, causing infection. Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, and fungal nail infections can develop in both fingernails and toenails.
Fungal nail infections can spread from other people, and walking barefoot in communal spaces such as swimming pools, gyms, locker rooms, showers, and saunas increases the risk of transmission. This is because fungi thrive in warm, moist places like people's skin and nails. Therefore, it is advisable to wear footwear in such public areas.
In addition, the sharing of personal items such as unwashed towels, shoes, or nail grooming tools without proper disinfection can contribute to the spread of fungal nail infections. It is important to practice good hygiene and disinfect shared items to reduce the risk of infection.
Furthermore, excessive sweating in socks and shoes can also increase the risk of fungal nail infections. Fungi can grow uncontrolled in warm and moist environments, such as sweaty feet. Maintaining proper foot hygiene and wearing absorbent socks and breathable shoes can help reduce the risk of infection.
It is worth noting that children rarely get onychomycosis, but when they do, it is likely that one of the parents has it. The likelihood of developing nail fungus increases with age due to slower nail growth and a weakened immune system, making it harder to fight off infections.
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Age increases the likelihood of infection
Age increases the likelihood of contracting a fungal nail infection, with around 50% of people over 70 years of age developing nail fungus. This is due to several factors that contribute to an increased susceptibility to infection and a less robust ability to fight it off.
Firstly, nails grow more slowly as we age, and they thicken, providing a more suitable environment for fungi to thrive. Slow nail growth also means that any existing infections can persist for longer, as the nail takes longer to grow out and replace the infected portion.
Secondly, older adults tend to have poorer circulation, which can lead to reduced blood flow to the extremities, including the hands and feet. This reduced circulation may impair the body's ability to detect and fight off infections in these areas. Poor circulation can also result in colder feet, leading individuals to wear thicker socks or shoes, creating a warmer and more humid environment that fungi favour.
Additionally, the ageing process can weaken the immune system, making older individuals more susceptible to infections in general. A weakened immune system may not be as effective at detecting and combating fungal infections, allowing them to establish and persist.
The risk of nail fungal infections in older adults is also influenced by lifestyle factors. For example, older individuals may have mobility issues that make it challenging to trim their nails properly, increasing the risk of injury and providing an entry point for fungi. Additionally, age-related conditions, such as arthritis, may make it difficult to maintain proper foot care, including keeping feet dry and wearing well-fitting shoes, which are important factors in preventing fungal infections.
Furthermore, older adults are more likely to have underlying medical conditions that can increase the risk of fungal nail infections. These conditions may include diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Managing these conditions can become more challenging with age, indirectly contributing to a higher risk of nail fungus.
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Diagnosis requires a doctor's visit
A fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is caused by a fungus that invades the nail bed and underside of the nail. This fungus is normally present in and on the body, but when it overgrows, it can cause an infection. The infection often affects the toenails, but it can also occur in the fingernails. It usually starts at the edge of the nail, causing it to become thick, discoloured, white, or yellow, and easy to break. In some cases, the whole nail can break off, leading to pain and swelling in the surrounding skin.
While you may suspect a fungal nail infection based on the appearance of your nail, a doctor's visit is necessary for a confirmed diagnosis. Other infections can affect the nail and mimic the symptoms of a fungal nail infection. Therefore, the only way to be certain is to see a doctor, who is often a dermatologist or a general practitioner (GP). They will take a small sample or scraping of your nail, which may involve removing some buildup, clipping, or scraping the nail's surface. This sample is then examined under a microscope for signs of fungus. In some cases, the doctor may send the sample to a laboratory for further analysis and identification of the specific fungus involved. This microscopic examination and laboratory testing ensure an accurate diagnosis of a fungal nail infection.
If you suspect a fungal nail infection, it is essential to seek medical attention. Over-the-counter products are generally not recommended for treating nail infections as they may not provide reliable results. Instead, a doctor can prescribe effective antifungal treatments, such as oral medications, topical solutions, or nail lacquers. These treatments are typically used for several months, and their application depends on the type and extent of the infection.
During your visit, the doctor will also consider your medical history and any underlying conditions that may increase your susceptibility to fungal nail infections. For example, individuals with weakened immune systems, cancer, diabetes, athlete's foot, psoriasis, or poor circulation are at a higher risk of developing nail fungus. Additionally, certain behaviours can elevate the risk, such as walking barefoot in public spaces like swimming pools and gyms, sharing nail-grooming tools without proper disinfection, or wearing tight or sweaty shoes.
In summary, a doctor's visit is crucial for an accurate diagnosis of a fungal nail infection. They will perform a microscopic examination of your nail sample and, if necessary, send it for laboratory analysis. This confirmation allows them to prescribe the most appropriate antifungal treatment for your specific condition, taking into account your medical history and risk factors.
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Treatment can take up to 6 months
Fungal nail infections, or onychomycosis, are caused by an overgrowth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. The infection usually starts at the edge of the nail and spreads to the rest of the nail, causing it to become thick, discoloured, and easy to break. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections. These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making the feet particularly susceptible.
Fungal nail infections can be challenging to treat, and treatments can take a long time to be effective. While home remedies and over-the-counter treatments are available, they may not be as reliable as prescription medications. Oral antifungal medications, such as fluconazole (Diflucan), are often prescribed by doctors to treat fungal nail infections. In addition, antifungal nail lacquers or topical solutions may be recommended, which need to be applied regularly for several months. It is important to note that these treatments must be used consistently until the infection is gone; stopping too early may lead to the infection returning.
In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets, which can take up to 6 months of consistent use to fully eliminate the infection. Before starting treatment with antifungal tablets, your doctor will likely perform a microscopic examination of a nail scraping and a blood test to confirm the presence of a fungal infection and ensure your liver is functioning properly. Antifungal tablets may not be suitable for individuals with liver or kidney disease, or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
While treatment options are available, prevention is always better than cure. To reduce the risk of fungal nail infections, it is important to maintain good nail hygiene and avoid walking barefoot in places like communal showers and gyms, where fungal nail infections can spread easily.
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