NAIL FUNGUS
An untreated fungal growth in the nails can be significantly problematic. A Nail fungus can affect not only the nail itself but can also cause damage to the entire nail area, including the nail bed and matrix. Nail tinea can cause the nails to become deformed. Not only do these nails tend to be cosmetically unacceptable, but they may be uncomfortable. Fingernail tinea can sometimes interfere with proper hand function. In the case of toenail tinea, people can have difficulty wearing their usual shoes. Nail tinea can act as a source of fungal infection for the skin. Tinea of the skin can act as an entry point for bacteria. Patients with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease require special consideration. Cellulitis of the lower legs is a serious bacterial skin and soft tissue infection that can cause significant morbidity in these patients.
NAIL FUNGUS SIGN
- Yellow/white changes in one or more nails
- Discoloured streaks on the nails
- Scaling or thickening beneath a nail
- Nail plate thickening
- Lifting of the nail from its bed
- The nail pits and flakes
- Nail crumbling
The most common dermatophyte to cause infection of the nails is Trichophytum rubrum. This organism causes 90% of toenail and 50% of fingernail dermatophyte infections.
TOE NAIL FUNGUS ONYCHOMYCOSIS
is a fungal infection affecting the nails. It is a chronic infection that affects as many as 3% of people at any one time. The nails are often thickened and have a yellowish discolouration. Toenails are more more commonly affected than fingernails and men are more likely to be affected than women. The infection can spread to the surrounding skin. Inversely, a skin tinea infection may spread to involve the nails. Tinea can be quite difficult to treat and it can readily recur.
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection affecting the nails. It is a chronic infection that affects as many as 3% of people at any one time. The nails are often thickened and have a yellowish discolouration. Toenails are more more commonly affected than fingernails and men are more likely to be affected than women. The infection can spread to the surrounding skin. Inversely, a skin tinea infection may spread to involve the nails. Tinea can be quite difficult to treat and it can readily recur.
There are a number of risk factors which increase the likelihood of developing onychomycosis. These include:
- Compromised immune system – for example in diseases such as HIV, diabetes and people who are on immune suppressing medications (e.g. following an organ transplant)
- Using communal showers – wearing shoes in communal showers at swimming pools and caravan parks can help to prevent the infection
- Swimming
- Co-morbid tinea pedis
- Family members/housemates who have the infection
- Trauma to the nail
- Constant hand washing
- Warm and humid conditions – these help the causative fungi to grow