FUNGAL NAILS

Fungal Nail Infection

 

Nail fungus infections are caused when fungi and/or yeast infects the nail plate and the soft tissue beneath the nail (nail bed) medically referred to as onychomycosis. This causes a change in the appearance of the toenail as the infection grows. 

 

What are the symptoms of fungal nail infections?

Most people think the fungus is in the nail but it is actually the nail bed that is infected. The symptoms you see are a result of the by-products of the fungus eating away at the keratin in the nails. This in time causes change in nail appearance such as:

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• Thickening

• White/yellow/brown discolouration

• Brittle

• Crumbling or flaky

• Worm-eaten appearance

• Separating from nail bed 

 

How did I get it?

For an infection to occur, the fungus must come in contact with the nail. For example; If you have a fungal infection on your skin (please check out information on fungal infections of the skin) it can spread to your nails or if you’ve attended a nail bar with poor hygiene practise then polish or tools used can introduce an infection into your nail.

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Some people more susceptible to infection. These include

• Increased age

• A compromised immune system

• Previous damage to the toenails

• Family history of infection

• Diabetes

• Poor circulation

 

Treatment option for fungal nail infections

There are various treatment options for fungal nail infections currently available, including:

• Topical antifungal creams and lacquers

• Oral medications

• Laser therapy (Hot & Cold)

• Lucuna Method

 

 

Of these, topical antifungal nail treatments are the only solutions available for purchase by the general public. These are a good starting point if this is your first fungal nail infection. Always read the instructions carefully, check your that any of your current medication is not counter indicated, and use as instructed.

 

When to see a Podiatrist & how they can help.

 

If you’ve tried a topical solution without success and want another solution, or would like a recommendation on the best product to use prior to starting, we recommend that you book in with our Podiatrist. She will be able to confirm that the change in the appearance of your nail is from a fungal nail infection and is not a result of a different condition like psoriasis, or trauma for example.

 

She’ll be able to diagnose and assess the severity of your fungal nail infection and document the appearance to track your progress. Your nails can also be cut back and filed down using a specially designed drill, to remove the infected part of the nail so any topical treatments can penetrate to the nail bed.

 

Often, treating a fungal infection means not only treating the infected nails but your skin also disinfecting your environment (shoes, socks, showers, surfaces, all other non-infected nails) to reduce the risk of re-infection. Your Podiatrist will discuss these best-practice principles to give you the best chance of successfully overcoming your fungal nail infection. It’s important to prepare yourself that there is no quick fix if your nail is severally infected and treatment may take up from 3 to 9 months.