Fungal infection of nails is common. The infection causes thickened and unsightly nails which sometimes become painful. There are 30 million patients in the US alone, and about 3 in 100 people in the UK will have a fungal nail infection at some stage of their life. It is more common in people over 55 year, and in younger people who share communal showers, such as swimmers or athletes. Medication takes several weeks, often works well to clear the infection.
Lifestyle is a very important factor. Men are more prone as they play more outdoor sports and use communal changing rooms. Also, women usually have a certain affinity to hygiene, whereas men are more on the careless side.
How do you get a fungal nail infection, or why?
- Spread from a fungal skin infection. For example, athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection of the toes. This may spread to the toenails if the skin infection is not treated early.
- Fingernail infection may occur after a toenail infection has become established. The fungus may spread to a finger if you scratch your itchy toes and toenail.
- Fingernail infections are also more likely to occur if you wash your hands frequently, or have them in water a lot. For example, if you are a cook or a cleaner. Constant washing may damage the protective skin at the base of the nail. This may allow fungi to enter.
- A nail that has recently been damaged is also more likely to become infected.
- You have an increased risk developing a fungal nail infection if you have various other conditions. For example: diabetes, psoriasis, poor circulation, a poor immune system (for example, if you have AIDS or are on chemotherapy), or general poor state of health.
- Nail infections are more common in people who live in hot or humid climates.
- Smoking also increases the risk of developing a nail infection.
- In some cases there is no apparent reason. Fungus germs (fungi) are common and an infection can occur 'out of the blue'.
The symptoms of a fungal nail infection:
Often the infection is just in one nail, but several may be affected. At first the infection is usually painless. The nail may look thickened and discoloured (often a greeny-yellow colour). Commonly, this is all that occurs and it often causes no other symptoms. However, it can look unsightly.
How to cure Fungal Nail Infection?
Antifungal tablets will often clear a fungal nail infection. The medication will also clear any associated fungal skin infection, such as athlete's foot. Your doctor will usually recommend one of the following two drugs. The one chosen may depend on the type of fungus causing the infection. Both of these drugs cause side-effects in a small number of people, so read the packet that comes with the drug for a full list of cautions and possible side-effects.
- Terbinafine tablets. The usual adult dose is 250 mg once a day; for between 6 weeks and 3 months for fingernails, and for 3–6 months for toenails. Visible improvement can be expected after the end of two months of treatment for fingernails and three months of treatment for toenails.
- Itraconazole tablets. This is usually given as 'pulsed' treatment. That is, for an adult: 200 mg twice a day for one week, with subsequent courses repeated after a further 21 days. Fingernail infections require two pulsed courses and toenail infections require at least three pulsed courses.
Studies suggest that in about 5 in 10 cases the nail will look fully normal again after treatment.
The fungi that are killed with treatment remain in the nail until the nail grows out. Fresh, healthy nail growing from the base of the nail is a sign that treatment is working. After you finish a course of treatment, it will take several months for the old infected part of the nail to grow out and be clipped off. The non-infected fresh new nail continues growing forward. When it reaches the end of the finger or toe, the nail will often look normal again.
With the above It is imperative to add that a visit to the dermatologist is a must. Please take the advice and prescription from a specialist doctor and then alone use the medication.
