Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Nail Fungus and What To Do About It

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In this post, I’m going to share with you everything I know about nail fungus and what you can do about it.

What is Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common skin condition where a fungus infects a part of the nail including the bed, matrix, or plate. The nail may thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails but usually not all of them. If your condition has been going on for a while, it may be difficult to treat. If you have diabetes, any kind of injury or circulatory problems, seek medical advice before attempting self-treatment because you have a higher risk of developing serious complications.

If left untreated, nail fungus can go on indefinitely.

Nail fungus, also medically known as onychomycosis, is a chronic fungal infection of the finger and toenails. Nail fungus can cause nails to become thickened, brittle, misshapen and discolored. Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails but usually doesn’t cause permanent harm to your nails.

Nail fungus is more common in toenails than fingernails because your toes are often confined in dark and moist environments such as shoes that foster the growth of fungi. Tight shoes also increase moisture in your shoes and feet, making it easier for fungi to grow.

A number of risk factors increase your chances of developing nail fungus. These include:

Age: Your older age increases your risk of developing nail fungus because your nails grow more slowly and you have been exposed to more types of fungi over time.

Sweating: Excessive sweating can create a warm, moist environment that promotes the growth of fungi.

Footwear: Wearing closed-toe shoes may

Nail fungus is a common problem that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails but usually not all of them.

If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment. If your nail fungus is painful and has caused thickened nails, self-care steps and medications may help. But even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often comes back.

Nail fungus is also called onychomycosis (on-ih-koh-my-KOH-sis) and tinea unguium.

Symptoms

Nail fungus is a common problem that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails but usually not all of them.

If your condition is mild and not bothering you, you may not need treatment. If your nail fungus is painful and has caused thickened nails, self-care steps and medications may help. But even if treatment is successful, nail fungus often comes back.

Nail removed (surgical debridement). If your infected nail is very painful or unsightly and conservative treatments haven’t helped, it may be removed surgically — either partially or completely. A new artificial nail can be added after the infected nail is removed.

A new artificial nail can be added after the infected nail is removed.

You may have noticed that your nails are not looking as clean and clear as they used to. They may be discolored, thickened, or disfigured. The truth is that nail fungus is a common condition that affects around 12% of the U.S population. Nail infections are caused by fungus which grows under the nail and in the nail bed, causing it to change color and thicken. Nail infections usually occur on the toes, but can also affect the fingers.

This problem is more common in older people and those who spend a lot of time in warm and moist environments such as swimming pools and gyms. It’s also a big problem for people who have diabetes, circulatory problems, or weakened immune systems.

Fungal infections can cause serious health problems if left untreated. If you suspect that you have nail fungus, contact your doctor immediately for treatment options!

You’re not alone. Nail fungus is one of the most common nail problems. The Mayo Clinic estimates as many as 35 million Americans may have nail fungus.

Nail fungus is a difficult infection to treat and can reoccur once it has been cleared up. Therefore, it is important to have patience with the treatment process and keep expectations in check.

So what is nail fungus? It is caused by various kinds of fungal organisms (dermatophytes) that grow beneath the surface of your nail, causing the nail to become discolored, thickened, distorted and even crumble. Nail fungus can affect fingernails or toenails; but it’s much more common in toenails than fingernails.

Treatment for nail fungus varies depending on severity. Successful treatment requires a combination of topical antifungal medication, oral medication and/or laser treatment. Because each case varies, we recommend consulting with our expert staff to determine the best course of treatment for you.

Nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is a chronic fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails. This common condition is estimated to affect up to 6.5% of the population. Those who suffer from nail fungus know how stubborn it can be to treat. The unsightly appearance of fungus-infected nails usually motivates sufferers to seek treatment. At our practice, we frequently see patients who are unaware that their nails have become infected with fungus until they notice discoloration, thickening, and crumbling of the nails.

Nail fungus is typically caused by a dermatophyte or yeast infection underneath the nail bed. These infections are generally difficult to treat because they thrive in warm, moist environments under the nail where oxygen levels are low.

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