A fungal nail is an infection on your nail bed, its not considered harmful, however it is often not nice to look at and if left untreated can spread to other toe and the nail root. It can cause permanent damage to the nail and can permanently disfigure the nail. As it’s an infection it can spread to other members of your family if left untreated.
What is a fungal nail?
Fungal nail is a type infection, it is not bacterial but is instead caused by fungus which can cause a nail to become thickened, crumbly and discolored. A few different fungi can cause an infection:
Fungi thrive in warm moist dark environments, therefore footwear provides a perfect breeding ground for. The big toe is most commonly affected,as it is often the most likely to be damaged, providing an easier way for the infection to get into the nail.
The infection enters the damaged nail and spreads to the dermatophtytes which have the ability to take nutrients from keratin,keratin is a protein found in the skin and nails.
Who gets fungal nails?
Older people(over 55)
People with diabetes ( very common)
People with sweaty feet
People with damaged nails
Weakened immune systems
Poor with poor circulation
People who go to gyms and swimming pools
What are the signs and symptoms of fungal nail?
Thickened nails
Discolored nails
Debris under the nail bed
Cracks in the nail
Crumbling nails
How are fungal nails diagnosed
I could usually diagnose whether or not you have a fungal nail infection based on the signs and symptoms and an examination of the feet and nail.
What I could do to help?
I could advise you on how to prevent the infection from spreading. If your nails are thickened I could thin your nails making them less unsightly, plus then thinning the nail will help the topical antifungal treatment to penetrate the nail,making it most effective.
Following your assessment, you would always get a full health foot appointment which would include:
A toenail trim
Your cuticles and under nail bed clean out
Thinning of the yellowing nail
All your hard skin removal
Moisturizing of the feet.
Then I would normally recommend as normal an appointment in 6 weeks and I’d recommend a fungal nail infection treatment
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