Fungal nails, also called Onycomyosis, are a regular complaint at SOLE THERAPY. It is an infection beneath the surface of the nail from fungus. They can affect people of all ages and walks of life. Whilst they can often take a long time to develop, fungal nails can be quite difficult to treat. Whilst they do not get sore, fungal nails can be unsightly.
When infected with fungus the nail will become darker in colour, is brittle and has a bad odour. Debris may collect below the nail, white marks appear on the nail and it can often spread to other toenails. If not treated the nails will thicken and are hard to cut. Nail fungus may also occur with a secondary bacterial infection in the nail plate.
Fungal nails are usually caused by organisms called dermatophytes; however other fungi such as yeasts and molds can also be causative agents. Fungi thrive in a warm, moist and dark environment- just like our shoes. This is usually passed on from the skin to the nails and from person to person in communal bathing areas, hotel bathrooms or from nail salons.
What Causes Nail Fungus (onychomycosis), And Do You Treat It?
The organisms invade the nail through the nail bed or plate. The fungus can infect the nail has been traumatised. The nail itself then provides a protective covering that allows the fungus to grow below the nail bed.
SOLE THERAPY podiatrists know the best regime for treating nail fungus- consistent application of topical solution in combination with regular general treatments. It is important to have the fungal nails thinned with a mechanical file and debris cleared from below the nail every 4-6 weeks. This allows the solution to better penetrate the nail and get into the nail bed.
SOLE THERAPY has also introduced laser therapy for fungal nails. The K-Laser is the top of the line laser made in Italy. The high energy laser beam destroys the fungus through the nail.
Nail Fungus An Infection To Be Treated
Oral anti-fungal treatment can be sourced from your general practitioner but do come with the risk of side effects such as liver damage. Regular blood tests whilst on the course of medication may be required.
If you think you have a fungal nail come and visit SOLE THERAPY. Our podiatry experts will assess your nail and recommend the best course of treatment for your nails.Not all thickened, discoloured nails are fungal in origin. Therefore, you should obtain a positive diagnosis of a fungal nail infection before starting any treatment plan, otherwise you could be wasting your time and money.
We now offer the option of a mycology report provided by a UKAS accredited laboratory if you want to confirm that your nails are definitely fungal before treatment commences.
Toenail Infection & Fingernail Infection
No treatment. If your test is positive for a fungal nail infection you can choose not to start any treatment. However, it will not disappear by itself, so as long as it doesn’t spread this may be an option if the appearance or discomfort doesn’t bother you.
May be an option if the infection is limited to 1-2 nails and does not involve the matrix. Research data on the lacquer revealed that if applied once per week for 6 months it showed efficacy of between 54-64% for toenail infections.
Further, nail polish can be applied during this period but must be removed once a week for one day to allow the lacquer to be effective. Polish can then be reapplied afterwards.
Fungal/thickened Nail Plates — Somerset Podiatry Clinic
Care For Feet Podiatrists can prescribe this lacquer and we recommend clinical reduction of the nail every 8 -12 weeks to compliment home treatment.
Terbinafine tablets from the GP which you would take daily for 3-6 months, although there are some associated side effects, such as headaches, itching and diarrhea. This treatment is suitable for nails which involve the whole nail and matrix and for numerous nails. It is advisable to return to clinic every 3 months for reduction of the nail.
Surgical removal of the nail under local anaesthetic. The whole nail can be removed and once healed the skin can be treated for the fungal infection using a topical spray or cream. We would carry out this procedure in our clinic without the use of a chemical to allow the nail to regrow.
Nail Fungus (onychomycosis)
Fenestration of the nail plate. In clinic we can drill tiny holes into the nail to allow penetration of the anti fungal product to the nail bed, rapidly accessing the site of the infection.
Nail Softening Cream. You apply the cream to the infected fungal toenail and cover with the waterproof plaster repeating daily for 2 weeks, this softens the nail allowing you to scrape off the infection. Notably, this treatment is not suitable for every person, depending on the thickness of the nail and can get a bit messy!
Concentrated Tea tree oil is NOT recommended because it has been found to cause contact dermatitis, while dilute Tea tree oil has a negligible effect on fungal infections to be considered an effective stand alone treatment.
Topical Treatments Options For Toenail Fungus
When commencing any nail treatment, it is important to treat the affected skin, socks and shoes at the same time to prevent re-infection and to improve treatment outcomes.White matter and other changes around the toenails and fingernails can occur with psoriasis or nail fungus. However, fungal infections are contagious, and psoriasis is not. The causes and treatment are different.
The autoimmune activity in psoriasis causes the rapid overgrowth of skin cells. These cells build up in the skin, contributing to the characteristic lesions of condition.
Nail fungus is a type of infection. People often pick up fungal nail infections in moist locations, such as pool decks and locker rooms. However, the fungus can have many other sources.
The Different Types Of Fungal Nail Infection And How They Present
Most people with lesions under or on the nails develop psoriasis symptoms elsewhere, too. In some people with psoriasis, nail symptoms are the first to appear.
A person can pick up a fungal infection through physical contact with an object or surface that another person with a fungal infection has touched.
However, people with a suppressed immune system, such as those with diabetes or HIV, may develop sores that do not heal after a fungal infection. Prompt treatment is essential for this reason.
Black Toenail Fungus: What It Is And How To Treat It
Quickly starting treatment will yield better results and reduce the risk of a severe infection. Any delay in treatment may permanently damage the nail bed.
When other symptoms of psoriasis accompany lesions on the nails, symptoms are likely to indicate that psoriasis is affecting the nails too.
At the outset, the nails might look a little dry, then develop ridges that end up forming deep pits or even holes.
Nail Fungus: Northstar Dermatology: Dermatology
The nails may fall off entirely or break off in pieces. Before a nail falls off, a gap usually develops between the nail and the fingertip.
Keratin is a protein that promotes the development of the skin and nails. Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis.
People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
Dr. Luke Finger Nail And Toe Nail Fungus Treatment Extra Strength, Fungal Nail (#402512620194)
Symptoms of nail psoriasis often appear after an injury in the affected area. It is possible to overlook a small injury, such as a cut or bruised toe because people sometimes cram their feet into tight shoes or expose them to the ground.
While an open wound on the hands or feet makes it easier for fungal infections to enter the body, the wound will not directly trigger a fungal infection.
Fungal infections usually affect the toes, not the fingernails. This is because the feet are more likely to come into contact with fungus when walking barefoot.
Is Toenail Fungus Contagious?: Neuhaus Foot & Ankle: Podiatry
Unlike psoriasis, fungal infections do not cause pits in the nails. Instead, the nails tend to change shape over time. They may become thin or develop thick patches and sometimes break.
Nail fungus often grows with the nail. It attaches to a specific portion of the nail, and as the nail grows and that portion of the nail moves, so too does the fungus.
Both psoriasis and fungal infections tend to get worse with time. Psoriasis, however, does not spread through contact in the same way as a fungal infection.
Dr. Vick's La Medical Spa
People with a fungal infection of the toenails may notice color changes between the toes, or other signs that the infection has spread to the skin between the toes.
Knowing the difference between nail psoriasis and nail fungus can prevent people with fungal infections from spreading it to others. However, people with nail symptoms from either condition should not self-diagnose.
People with psoriasis may also be more vulnerable to fungal nail infections. This can complicate the process of getting an accurate diagnosis.
How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus With Laser
Only a doctor can confidently determine the cause of any changes in the fingernails and toenails. Prompt medical care can address symptoms of both nail psoriasis and nail fungus.
Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You
0 comments
Post a Comment