What is it?
Fungal nail infection is the most common infection that affects the nails. It is a medical condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Onychomycosis, also called Tinea Unguium, is a fungal infection that affects either the fingernails or the toenails.
Symptoms
Some of the signs and symptoms of a fungal nail infectionthat are visible are:
Some of the common signs of this infection are:
Diagnosis
The doctor usually try to analyse the scraping of the nail under a microscope for signs of a fungus as there are chances of other infections that display similar symptoms of fungal nail infection. In some cases, the doctor might send the nail sample to the lab for a confirmed analysis and identification.
Treatment
Doctors usually do not recommend the over-the-counter products for treating nail infections, as they are not effective. Instead, the doctors might prescribe oral antifungal medications, topical ointments, and alternative therapies.
Some of the oral medications that doctors usually prescribe for nail fungus infections include:
There are also antifungal nail laquer that is applied onto the affected nail like nail polish. They might have to be used for a couple of months to a year depending on the type of fungus causing the infection and its extent.
It is difficult to get rid of the fungal infection completely and in mose cases, they return. In some extreme cases, the doctor will opt to remove the entire nail.
Prevention
Some of the preventive measures that will help keep then nail infection in check are:
Risks
A severe case of nail fungus may cause permanent damage to your nails. If you have diabetes, you may have reduced blood circulation and nerve supply in your feet. There is a greater risk of a bacterial skin infection (cellulitis). So any relatively minor injury to your feet, including a nail fungal infection, can lead to a more serious complication.