Fungal nail infection is an infection of the nails by a fungus.
The body normally hosts a variety of bacteria and fungi. Some of these are useful to the body. Others may multiply quickly and form infections. Fungi can live on the dead tissues of the hair, nails, and outer skin layers.
Fungal infections include mold-like fungi that cause:
Fungal nail infections are most often seen in adults. They often follow fungal infection of the feet. Toenails are affected more often than fingernails.
People who often go to public swimming pools, gyms, or shower rooms, and people who sweat a great deal, often have mold-like infections. The fungi that cause them thrive in warm, moist areas.
The following increase the risk of a fungal infection:
Your doctor will suspect a fungal infection based on the appearance of the nails.
The diagnosis can be confirmed by scraping the nail and:
Over-the-counter creams and ointments generally do not help treat this condition.
Prescription antifungal medicines taken by mouth may help clear the fungus.
In some cases, the health care provider may remove the nail. Nails grow slowly. Even if treatment is successful, a new, clearer nail may take up to a year to grow in.
The fungal nail infection is cured by the growth of new, non-infected nails.
Fungal nail infections may be difficult to treat. Medicines clear up fungus in about 50% of patients.
Even with successful treatment, it is common for the fungus to return.
Call your health care provider if:
Good general health and hygiene help prevent fungal infections.
Nails - fungal infection; Onychomycosis; Infection - fungal - nails; Tinea unguium
Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier: pp 491-523.
Hay RJ. Dermatophytosis and other superficial mycoses. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier;2009:chap 267.
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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