Onychomycosis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments

Lateral onychomycosis on the great toenail

Definition of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis, commonly known as nail fungus, is an infection that attacks both toe- and fingernails. As an infection, this nail fungus is caused by microorganism of fungus. Another terminology of onychomycosis is tinea unguium.

Fungal infection could have been occurred due to uncontrollable cleanse of nails. As the nails are not treated frequently, the dead tissue and nails and any other outer layers occurs which increase the risk of being infected. Although fungal infections often occur in sports-related activities, statistical numbers show highly to elder people.

Causes and Symptoms of Onychomycosis

The primary cause of nail fungus is the growth of microscopic organism that thrive in dark and moist areas. The type that causes nail fungus belongs to a group known as dermatophytes. Yeasts and molds also known causes of nail fungus infections, and these organisms thrive in places such as swimming pools or showers. When an individual tries to clean his or her nails with a nail clipper, an invisible cut is often occurred which causes vulnerability. Consequently, when this person goes swimming or showers, he could have increased the risk of infection. Moreover, shoes also provide dark, warm and moist environment for nail fungus, which fares worse when exposed to light and air.

Symptoms of nail fungus might at first be subtle. The nail is slightly brittle, and a person may barely notice the change. Staying alert to less subtle changes is also important, however, substantial changing such as discoloration of the nail, a loss of luster or shine, a thickening of the nail, distortion of the nail shape; crumbling of the nail; debris getting trapped under the nail might have an appearance of onychomycosis symptoms.

Onychomycosis Treatment

Fungal nail infection treatments are quite difficult due to the location toenails and fingernails infection. If your toe has been infected, self-treatments must concern the possibility of infection to the fingernails. Thus, to treat nail fungus effectively, anti-fungal medicines that are available only those that has been prescribed, including itraconazole (Sporanox) and terbinafine (Lamisil). These medications are taken orally and clear up the infection. The medicines also assure the growth of new nails to replace the infected nails which can prevent the growth of the fungus. On the other hand, if the decision to remove the nails is taken, medicine must be prescribed and consumed due to long time of nails' growth which can take up around a year to grow back.

Another treatment involves an anti-fungal nail polish known as ciclopirox (Penlac), available only by prescription, which is painted on the nail and surrounding skin once a day. In seven days, the piled-on layers of the polish are cleaned with alcohol, and then a new series of applications is given for another seven days. This treatment method may take as much as a year.

Diabetics should treat nail fungus immediately, so immediate act helps to keep infection from spreading. Since diabetics have impaired oxygen flow and thus have difficulty in healing wounds or sores, they are more vulnerable to the life-threatening consequences of such infections. Amputation of infected limbs can be necessary in order to stop the infection from spreading to other areas of the body.