Contents:
- Medical Video: Fungus Amongus! Rolo Triple Nail Chop & Pull Fun!
- Why can fungal infections occur in the nails?
- Who is at risk for nail infections?
- How to treat fungal infections in the nails?
Medical Video: Fungus Amongus! Rolo Triple Nail Chop & Pull Fun!
Onychomycosisa or also called tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the toe or hand nails that can develop quickly. Your nails will be white to blackish, and easy to spoil until you dislodge yourself from your finger. What are the causes and ways to deal with these moldy nails?
Why can fungal infections occur in the nails?
Fungal attacks on the nails occur due to the growth of excess fungus under the nail. Mushrooms usually thrive in warm and humid environments, so they can multiply quickly and a lot.
The fungus that is already in your body has the potential to cause infection in your nails. For example, if you have contracted a fungus from another person who has a fungal infection, maybe the fungus can spread to your body.
Then, according to American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), fungal-infected nails are more common in toenails. Why often attack toenails? Because, usually the nails in the foot area are rarely exposed to the sun, and the position is covered with shoes. So it is not uncommon for the toenail area to often be a warm and humid environment for fungi to multiply.
Furthermore, the danger of fungal infections in the nails can occur if you often manicure pedicures in the salon. Nail equipment such as sandpaper boards and nail clippers, can be a means of spreading fungal infections on your nails. It is recommended to always ask and make sure the salon staff, that the pedicure and manicure to be used are clean and sterile.
Who is at risk for nail infections?
Although many things are the cause of fungal infections in the nails, there are several risk factors that can improve fungal development such as the example below:
- You have diabetes
- Have a disease condition that causes poor blood circulation
- You use artificial nails
- Swim in a public swimming pool
- Experiencing a nail injury (broken nail or cantengan)
- Experiencing skin injury around the nails
- Have moist fingers or toes for a long time
- Has a weak immune system
- Wear closed toe shoes, such as tennis shoes or boots
Fungal infections of the nails are more common in adult men and women.If you have family members who often get this type of fungal infection, you are also likely to get an infection. Older people are at high risk of fungal infections because they have poor blood circulation, so their nails grow slower but thicken with age.
How to treat fungal infections in the nails?
Because these fungus can affect your other nails, one way to diagnose the condition of your nails is to see a doctor. The doctor will see and take scratches from the nail under the microscope to find out the signs of the fungus. In some cases, your doctor may need to send samples to the laboratory for analysis and identification.
As for the treatment, products or creams that are sold freely in pharmacies are not recommended for use, because they cannot completely overcome nail fungus. Instead, your doctor may prescribe oral antifungal drugs, such as:
- Terbinafine
- Itraconazole
- Fluconazole
- Griseofulvin
You can use other antifungal treatments, such as antifungal nail varnish or topical solutions. This treatment is how it is used with or smeared on the nails, the same as using nail polish. Depending on the type of fungus and the level of infection, you may need to use this medicine for several months.
