Fungal Nail Infections - Medtick
Medtick

Fungal Nail Infections

A fungal infection of the nail.

  • The most common cause is from a fungus known as Trichophyton rubrum.
  • The infection can vary from a mild infection which affects the nail to more severe cases where the underlying nail bed can be infected leading to complete loss of nail.
  • It can affect toe as well as fingers and its main origin is from other fungal infections e.g. athlete’s foot, ringworm, and less commonly sweat rash and dhobi itch.

 

Cause

  • Other fungal infections
  • Dark, moist and stuffy environment inside shoes (as nail grows, fungi feed on keratin (the protein that makes up the hard surface of the toenails)
  • Wearing tight-fitting shoes or tight hosiery
  • Exposed to friction from the sides of shoes
  • Practicing poor foot hygiene
  • Wearing layers of toenail polish, which doesn’t allow the nail to breathe
  • In a profession where toenail fungi may spread from foot to foot on the floors of showers and locker rooms i.e sports person
  • Diabetes
  • HIV
  • Having a circulatory problem that decreases blood flow to the toes

 

Examples and Types of nail function:

Distal and Lateral Sublingual Onychomycosis

Proximal Sublingual Onychomycosis

Total Sublingual Onychomycosis

White superficial Onychomycosis

Symptoms

Does one have:

Distal and Lateral Sublingual Onychomycosis
  • Infection goes through all layers of nail causing it to turn yellow/white and becomes thickened?
  • Nail has yellow/green/brown discolour?
  • Infection from top of nail spreads down to nail bed?
  • Nail becomes thick and overgrown?
  • Foul-smelling debris under nail, scaling, discolouration misshaped brittle, loose and can break off?
  • Does one believe they have Distal and Lateral Sublingual Onychomycosis?
White superficial Onychomycosis
  • White colouration.
  • Patches or stripes on nail surface.
  • Crumbling.
  • Regarding this condition, one will need to proceed further in the programme.
Proximal Sublingual Onychomycosis
  • Infection spread from nail bed to top of nail.
  • Rapid destruction.
  • Regarding this condition, one will need to proceed further in the programme.
Total Sublingual Onychomycosis
  • Whole nail is destroyed, complete damage to nail.
  • Regarding this condition, one will need to proceed further in the programme.

 

Click here for the Medtick experience.
  • Check whether you need to go to hospital ('Hospital Emergency') (free)
  • Check minor ailment symptoms (free)
  • Check General tips and treatments related to minor ailment conditions via report (free)
  • Check medical conditions related to symptoms
  • Check medication related to symptoms
  • Check when to see a medical doctor
  • Check infections via symptom checker
  • Check advanced medical diseases via symptom checker
  • Check medical diseases (related to the system) - A-Z Diseases (free)

© Medtick - 2024. All Rights Reserved.