Fungal Nail Infections and Toenail Fungus

Tell your doctor if you have one of these conditions. Your doctor will decide which medicine is right for you. They are more common in adults older than 60 years of age. They are common in people who have diabetes or circulation problems. They also are common in people with a weakened immune system.

You get an infection when a crack in your nail or the skin around it allows fungus to get inside and grow. Don’t share towels if someone else in your family has nail fungus. Fungi are tiny organisms you can only see through a microscope. It is all about the knowledge of Nail Fungus: What Causes It, What Are the Symptoms? And How Can I Treat It?

The usual adult dose is 250 mg once a day; for between six weeks and three months for fingernails, and for three to six months for toenails. Visible improvement should be expected after a month of treatment, although treatment will then need to be completed for the recommended duration. Medicated nail creams are another treatment option that you can apply to your infected nails.

These include cholesterol-reducing and blood-sugar-lowering medications, as well as certain sleeping pills. It is therefore important to let your doctor know about any medication you take. Itraconazole is not an option for people with heart failure . It also isn’t suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People did not take part in the study if their fungal infection covered more than half of the affected nail area or if the infection started at the base of the nail. Patient does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Onychomycosis represents about half of nail disease. It was first determined to be the result of a fungal infection in 1853 by Georg Meissner. There is a ciclopirox-containing nail polish, but there is no evidence that it works. The condition returns in up to half of cases following treatment. Not using old shoes after treatment may decrease the risk of recurrence.

The infection causes thickened and unsightly nails which sometimes become painful. Medication often works well to clear the infection but you need to take medication for several weeks. Nail fungus is not a life-threatening disease, but it will not go away on its own too.

Topical nail fungus treatments can appear clear nail fungal infections, but often do not completely cure the infection. Around 10 percent of the adult population suffers from nail fungus infection. Here we will provide an overview of nail fungal infections, in addition to common causes, treatments, and symptoms.

Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails. It is more common in people aged over 60 and in younger people who share communal showers, such as swimmers or athletes. Terbinafine and itraconazole are the two medicines most commonly prescribed for fungal nail infections. Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of the fungi that cause athlete’s foot infecting the nails. Use soap and water to wash your feet, and dry well, including between toes.