Nail Fungus
December 28, 2008
The Conditions & Affects of Nail Fungus
What is Nail Fungus?
Nail fungus occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. The medical term for this infection is Onychomycosis. This is caused by a fungi called dermatophytes also known as tinea unguium (tinea of the nails). Nail fungus is not the same as athlete’s foot, which affects the skin, but at times the two may coexist.
Symptoms & Affects of Nail Fungus
The infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus grows it feeds on the the keratin that makes up the surface of the nail and in this way spreads deeper into your nail. This may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges and distort in shape.
Infected toenails may also develop a condition called onycholysis where the nail separates from the nail bed. This can be an unsightly and potentially painful problem.
Causes & Conditions of Nail Fungus
The problem affects about 6-8% of the adult population and usually develops on nails continually exposed to warm, moist environments. The fungi organisms invade the skin through invisible cuts or a small separation between the nail and the nail bed. This becomes a problem only when the nails have continuous exposure to conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungu – warmth and moisture.
Risk Factors for Nail Fungus
For several reasons nail fungus tends to be more common among older adults. Some of these reasons include a slow in blood circulation and with aging the nails grow slower and thicken making them more susceptible to infection. Men are affected more than women and a family history of this infection increases the possiblilty of a lack of resistance to nail fungus.
These factors also can increase your risk of developing nail fungus:
- Perspiring heavily
- Working in a humid or moist environment
- Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don’t absorb perspiration
- Walking barefoot in damp public places, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms
- A minor skin or nail injury, a damaged nail or another infection
- Diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system
Complications of Nail Fungus
Nail fungal infections can lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet especially if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia or those who’ve had an organ transplant. If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.
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