Fungal Nail Infection: Symptoms, Causes, Risk factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention

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Fungal Nail Infection
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Fungal Nail Infection

• A fungal nail infection occurs due to the
  overgrowth of fungi on the toenail, fingernail,
  or under the toe of the nail known as nail bed.
  Fungal nail infection is not a serious problem,
  but may hamper the appearance of nail and cause
  damage to the nails. The risk of developing a
  fungal nail infection increases if a patient
  has athletes foot. Fungal nail infection is
  highly contagious and can spread easily to
  healthy person from an infected person. Fungal
  nail infection occurs more in toenails than
  fingernails. 

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Causes of fungal nail infection 

• The overgrowth of fungi in the nails is one of
  the most common causes of fungal infection. Fungi
  are already present on our bodies, but become
  active when we come in contact with the person
  who has a fungal infection. Living in warm and
  moist temperature may also cause fungal nail
  infection as fungi flourishes under warm
  temperature. The risk of developing a fungal nail
  infection also increases if anyone in the family
  has this infection.

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Symptoms

• The common symptoms of fungal nail infection
  include Turning of nail color into pale yellow
• Broken or brittle nails
• Formation of debris under the nail
• White spots on the nail
• Damaged nail surface
• Pain in the nails
• Loss of nail
• Odor from the infected nail
• Scaling under the nail

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Risk factors for fungal nail infection

• These are some of the few factors that increase
  the chance of developing a fungal nail infection
• Weak immune system
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Wearing artificial nails
• Poor circulation of blood
• People older than 60
• Living in hot and humid weather
• Nail injury

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Diagnosis of fungal nail infection 

• A dermatologist will start the diagnosis of
  fungal nail infection by performing a physical
  exam and asking about your medical history. Lab
  tests to examine fungal nail infection include 
• Potassium hydroxide test to check for
  the development of fungi on the nails.
• Nail biopsy includes taking the sample of the
  affected tissue and observing it under the
  microscope.
• Fungal culture test to check for the growth of
  fungi on the nails.

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Treatments

• Anti-fungal medicines such as diflucan,
  gris-peg, and lamisil may be given to a patient
  to slow down fungal nail infection. A
  dermatologist may also prescribe antifungal gels
  and creams to prevent fungal nail infection from
  developing further. Sometime he may have to
  perform a nail removal surgery. A patient with
  fungal nail infection can also apply tea tree oil
  or neem oil directly over the affected area to
  get rid of fungal nail infection. Keep the nails
  trimmed and clean to prevent the recurrence of
  fungal nail infection. 

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Preventing fungal nail infection

• Wear socks to avoid moisture
• Use antifungal soap for cleaning the fungal nail
  infection
• Avoid the use of artificial nails and nail polish
• Do not share your own items for manicure or
  pedicure
• Keep the areas between nails dry

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