FUNGAL NAIL INFECTIONS
What is a fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infection is often a painless infection of the fingernails or toe-nails causing the nails to thicken and become discoloured. The tissue beneath the nail becomes flaky and crumbling. In extreme cases the nail separates from the skin and is destroyed completely. Fungal nail infection is very common and is thought to affect approximately 1 5 million people in the UK.
What causes fungal nail infection?
Fungal nail infection is usually caused by a fungal infection from between the toes (athlete's foot that spreads to the nail. The fungi responsible are common on the floors of communal baths and around swimming pools. This explains why these infections are so common among young people and athletes. In the case of fingernail infections, people who have their hands frequently immersed in water, such as chefs and kitchen porters, are at most risk. Constant washing and strong detergents remove the protective part of the skin at the base of the nail. This allows the fungi to get in and to infect the growing nail.
What tests will I need?
As the infection is difficult to cure and requires long term treatment, your doctor may want to check what kind of infection you have 6efore starting treatment. Clippings from the infected nail, including the crumbly tissue under the nail may be taken and sent off to see if a fungus can be identified. This can take several weeks and repeated clippings from the nail might be necessary. Your doctor will then be able to prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Why should fungal nail infections be treated?
Fungal nail infections make your nails look unsightly and discoloured. If your fingernails are involved, the damage to your nails can make it difficult for you to use your fingers for fine work. Infected toe-nails can become uncomfortable where footwear presses on the thickened nail edges.
Your body will not usually fight fungal nail infections on Its own, so the infection just continues to spread to more nails and more of each nail. In very severe cases one or more nails could be lost and the growing part of the nail permanently damaged. Treatment can prevent all of these problems.
What Treatments are available?
Most nail infections need to be treated with antifungal tablets or capsules. Older types of treatment needed to be taken for six to nine months for fingernail infections and one to two years for toe-nail infections. However, newer treatments are more effective and work much faster. The majority of toe-nails can now be treated within three months and fingernails in less than half that time. This kind of treatment will also help to treat any co-existing fungal skin infections such as athlete's foot.
Antifungal paints are also available, and can be used to treat nail infections which only affect the ends of the nail. To work, these must be painted onto the nail exactly as recommended. It may be necessary to continue all treatments for several months.
To make sure the infection does not come back, complete the recommended course of treatment. In the future, if you get athlete's foot, treat it quickly and effectively to prevent it spreading to your nails. If you get persistent or recurring athlete's foot ask your doctor far help.
Help yourself
- Report any changes in your nails to your doctor.
- Avoid damaging the skin at the base of the nail.
- Dry feet and hands thoroughly after washing.
- Wear wool or cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe and wash them regularly.
- Wear plastic shoes or oversocks in communal bathing areas and around the swimming pool.
- Wear gloves if your hands are in water a lot.
- Avoid sharing shoes, towels and socks.
- Use your treatment exactly as recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.
Further information
Skin Care Campaign
163 Eversholt Street
London
NWllBU
Tel: 0171 388 5655