Toenail fungus infections are a common condition. They may not be a serious condition and others consider them as a cosmetic problem, but it can take a long time for us to treat them. This type of infection often affects the toenails, but it can also affect the fingernails. It is called medically onychomycosis. A toenail fungus infection takes place when the fungi get between your toenail and toenail bed or the tissue under the nail. Fungi get through a crack or cut in the toe. This condition is more prevalent among older people. It affects 1 in every 10 adults and 2 in every 10 adults who are over 70.
Causes
Your toenails and fingernails can be infected by many types of fungi. The most common fungal microorganism that causes this condition is the dermatophytes. They thrive by consuming keratin, the protein found in your toenails and fingernails, making them hard. Toenail fungus is contagious. It can be passed on from one person to another. You can also be infected by it when you touch an infected surface.
Symptoms
Toenail fungus can change the look of your toenails or fingernails in many different ways. Some of these may include: a change in the nail’s color to yellow, white, or brown, the nail looking chalky and cloudy in some areas, the nail may thicken and become misshapen. The infected nail may also separate from the nail bed. This leaves a space in between the nail and the skin underneath it. You will find a crack or break in one or more spots of the nail. When the infection is left untreated and becomes worse, it can be painful.
3Diagnosis
In many cases, the doctor can give a diagnosis by simply looking at the infected nail. At times, the doctor may acquire a nail clipping or a scraping of the debris found underneath the infected toenail to be sent to a lab. The lab will look into the sample and determine the type of fungus that caused the infection. This is necessary to determine the difference between a toenail fungus infection from other conditions that have the same symptoms such as psoriasis.
