What is a fungal nail infection?

A large number of different shapes and types of fungi can cause health problems when they break through our body’s defenses. In addition to systemic fungal infections (mycoses) that affect the entire body, yeast and mold infections, which we call fungal skin infections or dermatomycoses (popularly called "skin fungi"), are much more common. Although the basis for the diagnosis of fungal infections is mycological treatment, which includes sampling and identification of the causative agent, patients usually first seek help in a pharmacy without prior dermatological examination, which would be more than desirable.

In today's fast-paced life, with a large amount of daily stress, poor nutrition and exposure to various harmful substances, the human body is more susceptible to various diseases, including fungal infections, which are on the rise. Their occurrence is closely related to the state of the immune system, so people with weaker immunity, such as diabetics and people on antibiotic therapy, cytostatics or those suffering from some form of immunodeficiency, are most exposed.

Lifestyle changes and habits of today's population such as wearing occlusive footwear, exposure to wet and insufficiently disinfected surfaces in sports facilities and the dissemination of different genera of fungi have greatly contributed to the increase in the incidence of fungal nail diseases worldwide.

Fungal infections can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact, and by sharing personal care and hygiene items (brushes, combs, hair clips, scissors and scrapers) and other manicure and pedicure accessories). Therefore, care should be taken if a fungal infection is suspected that the listed items are not shared with the household.

Symptoms and types of fungal nail infections

The most common symptom of a fungal nail infection is thickening and discoloration of the nail. There is usually no pain or other physical symptoms. However, if left untreated, inflammation of the skin under and around the nail can occur leading to pain.

Fungal nail infections are more common on the toes than on the fingers and are mostly a cosmetic problem. Pieces of the destroyed nail gather under the healthy part of the nail and finally the whole nail can be separated from its bearing.

Complications

Sometimes fungal nail infections can be painful. Research also shows that they create a higher risk for other, more serious nail problems. Additionally, they can cause serious health problems for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immunity. In people with diabetes, circulatory disorders in the feet can occur.

Treatment

Fungal nail infections can be difficult to treat, and recurrence of the infection is common. If you have a fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe one of three oral antifungal medications that are relatively new to the market. These include:

• fluconazole

• terbinafine

• itraconazole

After application, these drugs reach the skin and accumulate in the infected nail to eradicate the fungal infection. They usually eliminate the infection in 4 to 12 months, but recurrence of the infection is possible.

There are a large number of medical devices on the market for the local self-treatment of onychomycosis, in which the frequent mechanism of action is slowing down the growth and reproduction of fungi due to lowering the pH in the nail.

Local forms of treatment also include laser therapy, photodynamic therapy and surgical therapy.

Conclusion

If onychomycosis is suspected, early diagnosis and treatment with the aim of resolving the infection and regrowth of a healthy nail is recommended. If we start treatment early enough, we can successfully treat onychomycosis with daily application of topical preparations for 6-12 months and thus prevent further spread of the infection to other parts of the body or another person and prevent the need for the introduction of systemic drugs.

Wash your hands after contact with an infected nail. If you are not careful, a fungal infection can spread from one nail to the other.