Fungal Nail Infection: Overview, Causes & Treatments

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Fungal Nail Infection: Overview, Causes & Treatments

What is a Fungal Nail Infection?

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Fungal nail infections are common and are caused by fungi that live in the environment. They enter through small cracks in your nail or the nearby skin, causing infection.

How Do Fungal Infections Cause Nail Damage?

Fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, so this type of environment can cause them to naturally overpopulate. The same fungi that cause jock itch, athlete’s foot, and ringworm can cause nail infections. Fungi that are already present in or on your body can cause nail infections. If you have come in contact with someone else who has a fungal infection, you may have contracted it as well.

Causes of Fungal Nail Infections

There are many different causes of fungal nail infections. Each cause has a treatment of its own. Although many of the causes of a fungal nail infection are preventable, some risk factors increase the likelihood of developing one. You’re more likely to develop a fungal nail infection if you:

have diabetes
have a disease that causes poor circulation
are over age 65
wear artificial nails
swim in a public swimming pool
have a nail injury
have a skin injury around the nail
have moist fingers or toes for an extended time
have a weakened immune system
wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes or boots
have family members who often get these types of fungal infections

Types of Fungal Nail Infections

There are several types of fungal nail infections, each with its own distinct characteristics. These include:

Distal Subungual Infection: Distal subungual infections are the most common type of fungal nail infection and can develop in both fingernails and toenails. When infected, the outer edge of the nail has a jagged appearance with white and/or yellow streaks across the nail. The infection invades the nail bed and underside of the nail.
White Superficial Infection: White superficial infections usually affect toenails. A certain type of fungus attacks the top layers of the nail and creates well-defined white spots on the nail. Eventually these white patches cover the entire nail, which becomes rough, soft, and prone to crumbling.
Proximal Subungual Infection: Proximal subungual infections are uncommon but can affect both fingernails and toenails. Yellow spots appear at the base of the nail as the infection spreads upward. This infection can commonly occur in people with compromised immune systems. It can also result from minor injury to the nail.
Candida Infection: Candida yeasts cause this type of infection. It can invade nails previously damaged by a prior infection or injury. More commonly, Candida affects fingernails. It often occurs in people who frequently soak their hands in water.

Symptoms of Fungal Nail Infections

Common signs of a fungal nail infection include:

a distorted nail that may lift off from the nail bed
an odor coming from the infected nail
a brittle or thickened nail

Treatment of Fungal Nail Infections

Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. They’ll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus. In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.

Your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:

Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Fluconazole (Diflucan)
Ciclopirox (Penlac)

Your doctor may prescribe other antifungal treatments, such as antifungal nail lacquer or topical solutions. These treatments are brushed onto the nail in the same way that you’d apply nail polish.

Prevention of Fungal Nail Infections

Making a few simple lifestyle changes can help prevent a fungal infection of the nails. Taking good care of your nails by keeping them well trimmed and clean is a good way to prevent infections. Also, avoid injuring the skin around your nails. If you’re going to have damp or wet hands for an extended amount of time, you may want to wear rubber gloves.

Other ways to prevent fungal infections of the nails include:

washing your hands after touching infected nails
drying your feet well after showering, especially between your toes
getting manicures or pedicures from trustworthy salons
avoiding being barefoot in public places
reducing your use of artificial nails and nail polish

Conclusion

Fungal nail infections are a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatments of fungal nail infections, you can take steps to prevent them from occurring in the first place. If you suspect that you have a fungal nail infection, it’s important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if I have a fungal nail infection?
A: Nails that are brittle, discolored, or unusually thick are likely to have a fungal infection. A fungal infection may cause nails to crumble and crack easily. They may turn white or yellow.

Q: What kills nail fungus the fastest?
A: While you may see results from over-the-counter treatments and some may vouch for home remedies, the fastest and most effective proven treatments for nail fungus are prescription strength oral antifungal medications.

Q: What happens if I leave toenail fungus untreated?
A: Left untreated, toenail fungus is unlikely to resolve by itself. The infection may stay in the same place on the nail, or it may spread and worsen. Some people, particularly those with diabetes or those who have a weakened immune system, may develop a bacterial infection as a result of nail fungus.

Q: What are the complications of a fungal nail infection?
A: The main complications of a fungal nail infection are: