Nail fungus infection, yeast infection, toe fungus

Fungal nail infections are most often seen in adults and usualy follow fungal infection of the feet. Toenails are affected more often than fingernails. Infection may begin as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.

People who likes to visit public swimming pools, saunas or shower rooms commonly have mold-like infections. The fungi that cause them thrive in warm, moist areas. The following increase the risk of a fungal infection:

• wearing closed-in footwear;
• getting minor skin or nail injuries;
• having moist skin for a long time.

Symptoms of the nailfungus:

• changes on one or more nails (usually toenails);
• the nails smell bad;
• debris trapped under the nail;
• brittleness, loss of luster and shine;
• loosening or detaching of the nail;
• change in nail shape;
• thickening;
• discoloration;
• crumbling of the nail;
• toenail fungus can be very painful;
• the nails often become yellowish, and can have white patches.

The diagnosis of the nailfungus is not so difficult and can be confirmed by scraping the nail for a culture, or a microscopic examination to identify the type of fungus.

Nail fungus treatment should begin as soon as possible.The longer you wait, the worse the condition will become, and the more difficult to treat.

Nailfungus prevention:

• wash and dry your hands thoroughly after contact with any fungal infection;
• keep the skin clean and dry;
• take proper care of your nails;
• don’t share towels or washcloths;
• use care when cutting, trimming, or filing nails so that you don’t injure the skin underneath.