3 Best Doctors For Fungal Nail Infection In Abbottabad

What is a fungal nail infection?

Fungal nail infection, also known as onychomycosis, is caused by a variety of fungi in the environment. Fungal nail infections cause the nails to become thickened, discolored, and fragile. Fungal nail infections affect 14% of the general population. Fungal toenail infections are more common than fungal fingernail infections. People who have fungal nail infections, also have fungal skin infections on the foot like athlete's foot and tinea pedis. Dermatophytes are the fungi group that is usually associated with nail fungal infections.

Types of Fungal Nail Infection

• Distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO). This is the most frequently occurring kind of fungal nail infection and affects the nail bed. The same fungi that are responsible for most athlete’s foot cases are also responsible for DSO.

• White superficial onychomycosis (WSO). WSO is the fungal nail infection that is only second in incidence rate to DSO. WSO affects the nail’s top layer. The treatment procedures are very efficient and easy.

• Candida onychomycosis. More commonly known as the nail’s yeast infection, candida onychomycosis can occur on the nail and the bordering skin. However, this type rarely occurs.

• Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO). This type is more recurrent in people who have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Dermatophytes are the identified cause.

Causes of Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infections develop due to;

• Fungi that are mostly present in the warm moist environment

• Contact the infected individual.

Diagnosis of Fungal Nail Infections

Fungal nail infections are diagnosed by using a fungal culture test. The dermatologist also collects a nail clipping to observe under the microscope or send for laboratory testing.

Treatment of Fungal Nail infections

• Fungal infections like fungal nail infections do not go away completely and require long-term treatment.

• In severe cases, the nail may be removed completely to prevent the spread of the infection to nearby areas.

• A dermatologist may prescribe oral or topical antifungal drugs to treat the infections.

Preventive measures of Fungal Nail Infection

• It is important that hand and foot hygiene is maintained to prevent fungal nail infections

• Keep nails clean and short, and wear footwear that allows more ventilation

• .Furthermore, rubber gloves should be used during dishwashing in order to avoid too much exposure to water

• Nail picking and biting should also be avoided

•  If the individual goes to a manicure/pedicure salon, they should make sure that the tools being used are properly sterilized

• The nail clipper with which the person cuts her/his nails should also be clean.