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Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infection is often seen on many of us on one or more nails. It is caused by fungi by name Tinea unguium and it starts as small whitish or yellow spot on the toenail or fingernail. Once the infection starts spreading, the entire nail may change into yellow making the infection in-depth. The nail may grow thick and may start developing crumbing edges. For many people it may cause moderate pain. It is possible to treat fungal nail infection but there is every chance for it to recur.

Causes :

Human body consists of number of bacteria and fungi both good and bad. The bad fungi may grow and multiply causing infection when the immunity gets lowered. Fungus feed on the dead tissues of the nails and hair follicles and even on the epidermal layer of the skin.

Several medical conditions like Jock Itch, Athlete’s foot and ringworm infection may give rise to growth of fungi into the nails. Very often fungal nail infection is seen only on adults. Again many people who get fungal infection would great their toenails affected when compared with fingernails.

There is chance for you to get these infectious fungi when you visit contaminated swimming pool and share public bathrooms where molds have grown. Fungus lives on warm and moist areas and easily spread infection when it gets into your nails through cuts or wounds and even on small gap between the nail bed and nail.

It is observed that fungi belonging to the group called dermatophytes cause this infection on nails. There is more chance for you to get infected when your toenails are exposed to continuous moisture.

Another reason for toenails getting more infected than your fingers is it is under the protection of shoes for most of the time giving no room for breathing.

You also have chance to get this infection if you do pedicure or manicure in the utensils that is not properly washed. People who have nail deformity or poor blood circulation on the toes may also get fungal nail infection.

Symptoms :

The infected nail on the toes or fingers will grow hard and changes its color. It becomes slightly yellowish or white and you can find the edges of the nail getting crumbled. Further there will be collection of debris under the nails and gradually the nails become thicker than other healthy nails. For some people, the nail loses its shape and becomes distorted. There will not be any luster or shining of the nail anymore once the infection gets deeper. The process of the separation of the nails from the nail-bed is called onycholysis and this may cause moderate pain on the toes or fingers.

Who are at risk ?

Aged people and individuals who continuously keep their toes in closed shoes are prone to get fungal infection on nails. If the work atmosphere is very moist you have more chance for getting this infection. People who have athlete’s foot and other type of skin infection would also get fungal nail infection.

Pictures of Fungal Nail Infection :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Fungal Nail Infection

Treatment :

Antifungal medications are given for curing the fungal nail infection. Generally you cannot treat it with over the counter drugs or creams. Medicines like terbinafine, itraconazole and fluconazole are prescribed. These drugs have to be taken for 2-3 months depending on the intensity of infection. For some people, it might take even a year for the fresh nail (without infection) to grow.

It is necessary to keep the toenails or fingernails moist-free and dry. Antifungal pills may cause adverse effect like Skin Rashes or liver damage. Hence you need to monitor your health and report any new symptoms to your doctor.

In case of severe infection with pain, your doctor may remove the nail by surgery for facilitating new nail to grow in. For some people, your doctor may also prescribe antifungal nail lacquer like Penlac for painting on the infected nails.

Fungal Nail Infection – Treatment, Pictures, Cure, Causes, Remedies

Fungal Nail Infection Causes

Fungi are organisms which are microscopic and that do not need any sunlight to thrive. Some fungi can have valuable uses, while others cause infection as well as illness.

Fungal infections of the nails are normally caused by fungi belonging to a group of fungi referred to as dermatophytes. But molds as well as yeasts can also be accountable for fungal nail infections.

All of these organisms which are microscopic exist in moist, warm environments, such as showers and swimming pool areas. These organisms may attack the skin thru invisible, tiny cuts or thru smaller separations between the nail bed and the nail. They create problems normally when the nails are constantly open to moisture as well as warmth – which are environments that are excellent for the spread and growth of fungi.

These infections with fungus of the nails occur mostly in toenails than in the fingernails since toenails are very often restrained in a warm, moist as well as dark environment inside shoes – where these fungi may thrive. Other reasons can be the blood circulation to the toes which is somewhat diminished as paralleled with the fingers, that can make it hard for the immune system of the body to find and abolish these infections.

An individual can have some sort of fungal nail infection – also known as onychomycosis – if 1 or more of the nails are:

Brittle, ragged or crumbly

Thickened

Shape is distorted

Very dull with no shine or luster

Debris buildup causing dark color under the nail

Nails which are infected can also separate from the bed of the nail which is a condition called onycholysis. An individual can have pain in the fingertips or toes as well as detect a slight smell of a foul odor.

Once this infection begins, it can stay forever until treated. See the physician at the very first notice of fungus of the nails, which is over often a white or yellow tiny spot under the tip of the nail

Fungus of the nails is most common among adults who are older for many reasons, including blood circulation which is diminished and also many years of fungi exposure. Nails can grow slowly as well as thicken with age, making them much more vulnerable to infections. Fungus of the nail seems to affect males more often than females, especially those with a history of these infections in the family.
Other aspects that may increase the risk of having nail infections include:

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Working in moist or humid environments

Sweating heavily

Having psoriasis which is another condition of the skin

Wearing socks and shoes that prevent any ventilation and does not absorb perspiration

Has athlete’s feet

Has a minor nail or skin injury

Has circulation problems, diabetes or an immune system that is weak

Fungal Nail Infection Cure

Nail fungus is very hard to treat and recurrent infections are very common. Over-the-counter anti-fungal nail ointments and creams are helpful but they are not very effective. If an individual has athlete’s feet and nail fungus, the athlete’s foot should be treated with topical drugs and the feet kept clean and dry.

Oral medications
In the treating of fungus of the nails, the physician can prescribe an oral medication which is anti-fungal. Research has shown that more effective treatments to be itranconazole, brand name Sporanox, and terbinafine, brand name Lamisil.

The physician is also likely to recommend oral drugs if you:

Have diabetes or any other risk factors for Cellulitis

Have history of cellulitis

Want treatment prior to the infection becoming unsightly

Have pain or discomfort from the infection.

Fungal Nail Infection Treatment

Anti-fungal drugs help the growth of new nails which are free of infection, slowly replacing the portion of the nail that is infected. The individual normally takes these drugs for 6 to 12 weeks, but will not see the end result of the treatment until the nail grows completely back. This can take 4 months or longer to heal an infection. Infections which are recurrent are probable, particularly if the individual continues to expose nails to moist and warm conditions.

Anti-fungal medications can cause side effects which range from Skin Rashes to damage to the liver. Physicians can not recommend them for those individuals who already have liver disease or congestive heart problems or those taking certain other drugs.

Other treatment option that your physician can suggest as well for these fungus treatments:

Anti-fungal lacquer
If the individual has a mild to moderate infection of nail fungus, the physician can prefer to advise an anti-fungal nail polish such as ciclopirox, brand name Penlac. This is painted onto the infected nails as well as surrounding skin once daily. After 7 days, the layers are wiped clean with alcohol and fresh applications are begun. The daily use of Penlac for approximately 1 year has been shown to clear most nail fungal infections.

Topical medicines
The physician can opt for some other topical anti-fungal drugs. He might advise using creams with an over-the-counter lotion which contains urea in order to speed up absorption. There are topical drugs which normally do not provide a cure but can be used with oral drugs. The physician can file the surface area of the nail – debridement – to decrease the total amount of nails which are infected to treat as well as possibly make the topical drugs more effective.

Surgery
If the nail infection is serious or very painful, the physician can suggest removing the nail. A new nail normally grows back in place, though it may grow slowly as well as may take as long as a year to regrow totally. Often surgery is performed combined with ciclopirox to treat the nail bed.

Treatment of nail fungus with photodynamic or laser therapy, where intense light is used to irradiate the nail after treatment with acid, can as well be successful. But, this is a new treatment and cannot be available every place.