An infection of one or more of either the fingernails, or more likely, the toenails often starts as a yellow or white colored spot under the tip of the infected nail. At this early stage, this is the only visual clue that there may be a problem. If you see such a spot, it is very important that you take steps immediately to treat the infection.
Symptoms
If the infection has had a chance to take root under your nail other symptoms may begin to appear. These include:
Your nail appears dull and has no shine
The infected nail will often begin to distort its shape
The nail will very often become very brittle and crumble easily
The nail may separate from the nail bed
The nail may become noticeably thickened
Occasionally, there may be pain at the infected nail, along with an unpleasant smell
Causes
Nail infections are caused by fungi organisms that do not need sunlight to live. These include dermatophytes, molds, and some yeasts.
These organisms thrive in environments that are dark, warm, and damp and thrive around swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms. If your nails are in a dark, warm, and damp environment a lot you run a risk of developing Onychomycosis. Most often the fungi will enter your system through a separation between your nail and the nail bed, or through any invisible breaks in the skin.
Other reasons for infection can include reduced blood circulation which will make it much more difficult for the immune system to combat a potential infection.
Treatment
Since the best treatment of all is prevention, taking care that your hands and feet are dry, clean, and exposed to sunlight occasionally will most likely prevent you from every becoming infected in the first place.
But, if you do become infected, treatment is difficult because the infection lives within the nail itself and is very hard to get to. To successfully treat the condition may take up to one full year. Treatment options include:
Photodynamic TherapyThis uses an acid to coat the nail which is then irradiated with a laser.
SurgeryIf the infection is severe a doctor may advise removing the nail surgically.
Topical medicationsOver-the-counter medicines often used along with oral prescription medications.
Antifungal LacquersApplied directly to the infected nail one or more times a day. This method has the advantage of directing the medication precisely to the infected area.
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