What are fungal nail infections (onychomycosis)?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:You (and those around you) can tell if you've developed a nail fungus if your nails are thickened, brittle, distorted, flat, and have turned yellow (without the benefit of yellow polish), a side effect of debris building up under the nails. Nail fungus - again, signaled by ugly, thickened, yellow nails - is more common in older adults than younger ones, because nails grow more slowly and thicken with aging - making them more susceptible to infection. Nail fungus usually begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail, and can be caused by three different fungi. Toenails are more susceptible to fungal infection because they spend most of their time in dark, damp shoes and socks; fingernails are dry and are exposed to UV light, which kills fungi.
Fungus is made up of microscopic organisms that can invade through invisible cuts in your skin or through a small separation between your nail and the nail bed or after an injury (like dropping a hammer on your toes). As the fungus spreads deeper into the nail, it may cause the nail to discolor, thicken, and develop crumbling edges that are sometimes as painful as they are ugly. Fungus usually grows when your nails are continually exposed to moist environments, like sweaty shoes or shower floors (by the way, it's not the same as athlete's foot, which affects the skin).
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You (and those around you) can tell if you've developed a nail fungus if your nails are thickened, brittle, distorted, flat, and have turned yellow (without the benefit of yellow polish), a side effect of debris building up under the nails. Nail... More -
Healthwise answered:Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis, or ringworm of the nail) occur when fungi invade a fingernail or toenail and the skin underneath the nail (nail bed). Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, discolored, streaked, thickened or spotted nails. Fungi that can cause this type of infection include dermatophytes, yeasts and molds. Dermatophyte infections are spread by walking barefoot in public places (especially warm, damp areas such as swimming pools) and sharing personal items, such as towels and nail clippers. An athlete's foot infection can also spread to the nails, causing a fungal nail infection.
Fungal nail infections do not go away without treatment. They are treated with antifungal medicines, which are available in topical form (applied directly to the skin) or as pills. The pills are used for more severe infections. In rare cases, the nail can be removed. The condition tends to return, even after successful treatment.
Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis, or ringworm of the nail) occur when fungi invade a fingernail or toenail and the skin underneath the nail (nail bed). Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked,... More
