Types Of Toenail Fungal Infections
Toenail infections affect about 14 percent of the population at any given time, according to a study published in June 2014 in PloS Pathogens. The most common symptoms of a toenail fungal infection include discoloration of the nail, debris under the nail, irregularity of the white part of the nail, nail thickening, and pain, says Sheth.
Toenail fungal infections can usually be categorized into one of the following five subtypes:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis This is the most common form of toenail fungal infection, usually occurring in the portion of the nail closer to the tip and on the underside of the nail. The nail may become thick, yellow, or brittle.
Endonyx Onychomycosis People who have endonyx onychomycosis have fungus growing between the layers of the toenails. With this type of fungus, toenails usually have a milky white color and may be pitted or split. They usually dont thicken or separate from the nail bed.
Proximal White Subungual Onychomycosis This is a relatively uncommon form of toenail fungus, seen most often in people with weakened immune systems due to conditions such as HIV. The fungus enters the toenail through the cuticle and affects the part of the nail closer to the base, turning it a whitish color.
Does Your Child Need To See A Doctor About Toenail Infection Or Fingernail Infection
Yes. Take your child to your GP if your child has any of the symptoms described above, especially if theres pus around your childs toenail or fingernail, or your child is in pain.
Its also important to see your GP if your child keeps getting nail infections. This might be a sign of an underlying illness.
Can Toenail Fungus Look Like A Bruise
Can toenail fungus look like a bruiseToenail fungus is a more common problem that you might experience, however, it is more easily identified compared to a melanoma, Toenails that are infected usually become thicker, change size or shape, become lighter in color and have scaly, brittle edges.
Also Check: Varisi Nail Solution Review
How Long Does A Bruise Under Your Toe Nail Take To Heal
The healing time for a bruised nail depends on the gravity of the bruise and the right treatments you do. A badly bruised toenail might even fall off. In such a case, it will require more than 6months for the new nails to grow in place of the lost one. Do not try to remove the bruised nails forcefully.
You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Nail Polish Stains On Clothes
Nail Fungus: Symptoms And Treatment
ByLaura Geggelpublished 13 June 17
Nail fungus, also medically known as onychomycosis, is a chronic fungal infection of the fingernails and/or toenails by dermatophytes, also known as ringworm, yeasts and molds, leading to gradual destruction of the nail plate. It is more likely to affect toenails, particularly the first toenail, than fingernails, according to the National Institutes of Health .
Fungal infection of the nail is very common. About half of the population is affected with nail fungus by the time they reach 70 years of age, said Dr. Raza Aly, professor emeritus of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Fungus is responsible for 50 percent of all nail disease, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Read Also: Tips For Putting On Color Street Nails
Also Check: What Gets Rid Of Nail Glue
Prevention Of Nail Fungus
Always try to prevent it before it happens, because every prevention is better than the treatment itself. Try to do the following to avoid having those ugly fungi all over your nails:
- Keep your hygiene at a decent level. That includes a good care of your feet.
- Treat the athletes foot if you have it. In case this happens, it is better to act than to regret.
- You should be wearing specific types of socks, called the absorbent socks. They can help your feet to stay dry.
- Last but not least, which does not apply on all, is to control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
Homeopathic Treatment For Toe Fungus
What Does Toenail Fungus Look Like Vinegar How To Heat Vitamin 3 Capsules For Toe Fungus Clorox For Toenail Fungus Treatment, How To Cure Foot Fungus In Dogs Toenail Fungus Nail Fell Off Recognizing Toenail Fungus.
Toenailfunguscurei.com
Best Horse Skin Products For Skin Fungus And Mange What Is The Best Thing To Soak Your Foot In To Remove Fungus. Home Remedies To Treat Toe Fungus White Spots On Skin Fungus Medicine Side Effects Kerasal Toe Nail Fungus. Sure Cure For Nail Fungus Fast Will Bleach And Water Kill Toenail Fungus.
Read Also: Are Nail Salons Open In La County Now
What Does Fingernail Fungus Look Like
What does fingernail fungus look like? Is toenail fungus hard to get rid of? Toenail fungus can be tough to get rid of because it can get into and in between those layers. It may also sit on top of the nail or grow underneath it. In some cases, fungus can get into the cells that make the nail, called the nail matrix. .
How Is Toenail Fungus Treated
Toenail fungus is notoriously tricky to treat. You may need to treat the condition for several months to get rid of the fungus. Still, toenail fungus often comes back.
A dermatologist or podiatrist can explain your treatment options. If you have a mild case that doesnt bother you, your provider may recommend no treatment.
Toenail fungus treatment options include:
- Oral antifungal medication: You take prescribed medication, such terbinafine , itraconazole and fluconazole , to treat the fungi. You will need to take this medication every day for several months . Your provider may use blood tests to check for potential medication side effects. These medications can affect the liver and interact with other medications, so oral antifungals are not for everyone.
- Topical medication: You regularly apply a medication right on the nail. The medication treats the fungi over time. Topical medications are most effective when paired with oral medications.
- Laser treatments: Your provider directs a high-tech laser beam and special lights at the toenail to treat the fungus. Lasers are FDA approved for temporary increase of clear nail in nail fungus but is not a cure. Cure rates for laser treatment are lower than oral and topical mediations so they are not typically used as first-line treatments for nail fungus.
Recommended Reading: How To Cut A Newborn’s Nails
Treatment For Toenail Infection Or Fingernail Infection
For fungal nail infections, your GP will prescribe antifungal creams, solutions or tablets. Your GP might take a clipping of the nail before treatment starts to check that the fungus will respond to treatment.
For mild bacterial or viral infections with no pus, clean the affected finger or toe with an antiseptic solution. If your GP has prescribed an antibiotic cream, put it on the affected area.
When theres pus around the nail, your child will probably need oral antibiotics from your GP. The GP might also want to drain the pus from the nail area .
Try to keep the infected area clean. Your GP might tell you to cover the area with a basic dressing, which you can get from a pharmacy.
Putting something warm on the area might help if your child is in pain. You could try a heat pack. You can also give your child pain medicine like paracetamol or ibuprofen according to the directions on the packet.
Children with a severe bacterial infection might need antibiotics directly into a vein through a drip and the nail might need to be removed.
After youve touched or dressed your childs nail infection, you should always wash your hands thoroughly.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus
You will need to be really patient and persistent once curing it. You can only tell that you have Onychomycosis based on the appearance of your nails, so if you get it you will need to properly cure it for the upcoming period of time. Treatments are mostly requiring a medication called Terbinafine, which you need to take every 3 months through your mouth.Since toenail fungus is usually harmless but very difficult to treat, there are some home remedies and alternative medications that might help you.
This can be your solution which you can prepare at home. Start by getting yourself:
- 4-5 tablespoons of baking soda
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- Water
- A bowl to soak your feet in
- Paper towels
How To:
Mix 1 cup of your vinegar with plenty of water. Soak your feet in that mixture for 15 minutes and dry your feet with towels. Later that day, add a few tablespoons of baking soda the next time you prepare the soak for your feet. You can do these soaks about twice a day. It is good for you because the vinegar will kill the fungus and the baking soda will calm down the growth of it.
You May Like: How To Get Dip Nails Off At Home Without Acetone
What To Do If You Have Toenail Fungus
If you have tried the over-the-counter methods mentioned above and still arent able to eradicate your toenail fungus, its time to visit us at Red Mountain Footcare. Let our professionals determine the proper way to treat your hard-to-treat fungus and get you the relief you deserve. Call us for an appointment today!
Is It Fungus Or Melanoma
Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can develop on the nail bed. It has a dark brown or black color and can be mistaken for toenail fungus or another toenail problem like a bruise. Melanoma is much less common than toenail fungus, but it can be life-threatening if not caught early.
Both toenail fungus and melanoma can appear as a dark stripe on the toenail and may increase in size over time. The toenail can become split and damaged in both conditions.
Toenail fungus is more likely to cause thickening of the toenail and a buildup of material underneath it. Melanoma causes the skin of the nailbed to change color, which does not happen with toenail fungus, but it can be difficult to see.
Because melanoma can be very aggressive, its important to have your doctor examine a darkened toenail. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus by looking at clippings under a microscope and of melanoma by taking a biopsy.
Also Check: Hepatitis C Nail Salon
As Time Passes Your Nails Can Become More Severe
- Nails may look brownish, yellowish, with little white patches. Some may even be brown or black. Nails may get flaky, brittle, and chipped.
- Bits of “gunk” or debris may collect under your nails.
- Your nails may smell bad.
- Toenails may get so thick that wearing shoes cause pain. Discomfort from the infection may make it hard to walk, work, or do other activities.
- The daily task of putting on socks or stockings can even become difficult.
The 5 Stages Of Nail Melanoma
Nail melanoma is a life-threatening skin cancer that grows to affect the nails, usually the big toe and thumb. This disease can prove to be very deadly, however treatments are readily available if diagnosed early.
This disease is often referred to as, Malignant Melanoma of Nail Unit or Nail Unit Melanoma.
- The pigment producing cells of the body, called Melanocytes, is where the Melanoma cancer develops. The Melanocytes are responsible for giving our skin its color.
- The development of Melanoma cancer, usually begins from a finger or toenail, however thats not always the case.
- It has the tendency to affect the areas around such as the sides of nail or the nail bed. In fact, it may also spread to other parts of the body, if not treated on time.
- The big toe or thumb is usually the first to get affected, however it may vary according to each case.
- The Nail Unit Melanoma is divided into 3 main types:
- Nail Melanoma is most common in light/fair skinned people as opposed to dark skinned people.
There are 5 stages of Nail Melanoma, stated as follows
Stage 1: aka Stage O Melanoma
This stage is also referred to as Melanoma in situ, meaning site of origination of Melanoma. At this point, a tumor has formed on the outermost layer of the skin, epidermis.
Stage 2: aka Stage I Melanoma
This stage is further categorized into two:
Stage IA: At this stage, the tumor is less than a mm deep and has no signs of an ulcer.
Stage 3: aka Stage II Melanoma
Read Also: Best Way To Get Dip Nails Off
Differences In Appearance Between Blood Under A Toenail And A Melanoma: Under More Scrutiny
Association with trauma. The trauma that leads to blood under a toenail isnt always blunt and painful at the time of occurrence.
It could be as seemingly innocuous as jogging downhill in footwear that isnt roomy enough. The patient might not even recall the trauma.
Though subungual hematoma often affects both big toes at the same time, it CAN occur in only one toe.
If your right foot is a little bigger than the left, the shoe on your right foot will have a tighter fit that may result in a hematoma, while the shoe on the left wont.
More than one toenail. If the appearance of the dark pigment in a big toe coincides with a similar-looking pigment in another toe either on that foot or the other then this points to a benign cause.
Blood grows out. If you view a hematoma every several days, youll notice that the space between the portion closest to the cuticle and the cuticle is getting bigger, or showing more nail.
As the nail is pushed out, the blood underneath goes with it. So if you noticed the pigment when it was first visibly connected to the cuticle area, in a few weeks it will be closer to the center of the nail, then after several more weeks itll be near the top of the nail. It can take several months to finally grow out.
Eventually the nail will be long enough such that when you trim it, youll also be trimming out the old dried blood.
A melanoma will stay firmly adhered to its place it will not move upward as the nail grows.
Preventing Fungal Nail Infection
Studies suggest that in about 1 in 4 cases where the fungal nail infection has been cleared from the nail, the infection returns within three years. One way to help prevent a further bout of nail infection is to treat athletes foot as early as possible to stop the infection spreading to the nail. Athletes foot is common and may recur from time to time. It is easy to treat with an antifungal cream which you can buy from pharmacies, or obtain on prescription. The first sign of athletes foot is itchy and scaling skin between the toes. See the separate leaflet called Athletes Foot for more details. Also:
- Try to avoid injury to nails, which may increase the risk of developing a nail infection.
- Wear footwear such as flip-flops in public places, such as communal bathing/shower places, locker rooms, etc.
- Avoid towel sharing.
- Consider replacing old footwear, as this could be contaminated with fungal spores.
Don’t Miss: Opi Fingernail Polish Retailers
How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
All treatments can take up to a year to work, so you need to be consistent and commit to following the treatment plan for the long haul.
These infections are hard to treat because its difficult for medications to get into the keratin that makes up nails and the blood vessels dont connect to the nail. Many people find it hard to continue to use the medications for as long as is needed and may give up after months or even weeks.
Sometimes the nail will start to look better, but the fungus is still there. Your toenail fungus isnt cured until your doctor cant detect the fungus in your toenail clippings.
Pro Tip
There are a lot of folk remedies and over-the-counter topical treatments, but if you really want to get rid of this infection, youre probably going to need to take oral medication. Dr. Jacobsen
What Other Conditions Can Be Mistaken For Fungal Nails
Here are some other conditions you may have instead of fungal nails:
Trichophyton
Dont Miss: How To Eliminate Nail Fungus Naturally
Also Check: Best Polygel Kit 2020
