ingrown toenail Nail Diseases    ingrown toenail Foot Pain    ingrown toenail Foot Care

About ingrown toe nails

Nail Diseases

Your toenails and fingernails protect the tissues of your toes and fingers. They are made up of layers of a hardened protein called keratin, which is also in your hair and skin. The health of your nails can be a clue to your overall health. Healthy nails are usually smooth and consistent in color. Specific types of nail discoloration and changes in growth rate can be signs of lung, heart, kidney, and liver diseases, as well as diabetes and anemia. White spots and vertical ridges are harmless.

Nail problems that sometimes require treatment include

Keeping your nails clean, dry, and trimmed can help you avoid some problems. Do not remove the cuticle, which can cause infection.

Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infection occurs when a fungus grows in and around your fingernail or toenail.

Causes of Fungal Nail Infection

Fungi can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers.

Common fungal infections include:

Fungal nail infections are most often seen in adults. They often follow fungal infection of the feet. Infections occur more often in toenails than in fingernails.

People who often go to public swimming pools, gyms, or shower rooms, and people who sweat a lot often have these infections. The fungi that cause them live in warm, moist areas.

You are at higher risk of getting a fungal nail infection if you:

Symptoms of Fungal Nail Infection

Symptoms include nail changes on one or more nails (usually toenails) such as:

Exams and Tests for Fungal Nail Infection

Your health care provider will look at your nails to determine if you have a fungal infection.

The diagnosis can be confirmed by looking at scrapings from the nail under a microscope. This can help determine the type of fungus. Samples can also be sent to a lab for a culture. (Results may take up to 3 weeks.)

Treatment for Fungal Nail Infection

Over-the-counter creams and ointments generally do not help treat this condition.

Prescription antifungal medicines that you take by mouth may help clear the fungus.

Laser treatments may be able to get rid of the fungus in the nails.

In some cases, you may need to have the nail removed. 

Outlook / Prognosis for Fungal Nail Infection

The fungal nail infection is cured by the growth of new, non-infected nails. Nails grow slowly. Even if treatment is successful, it may take up to a year for a new clear nail to grow.

Fungal nail infections may be hard to treat. Medicines clear up fungus in about half of patients.

Even when treatment works the fungus may return.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if:

Prevention of Fungal Nail Infection

Good general health and hygiene help prevent fungal infections.

Alternative Names for Nail Diseases

Nails - fungal infection; Onychomycosis; Infection - fungal - nails; Tinea unguium