Foot Nail Fungus
How to eliminate foot nail fungus? Information on the causes, symptoms, and treatments for onychomycosis.
Symptoms and Causes
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection in the nails that has a high prevalence in developed countries. In some cases, it disappears on its own, but most of the time, it is necessary to apply a specific treatment for each type. Even so, it is very likely that the fungus will reappear over time.
Fungal infections in the toenails are very common. They can originate from different types of fungi:
- Dermatophytes: Known as tinea unguium, caused by Trichophyton Rubrum, Trichophyton Mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton Floccosum, or Mycrosporum Spp.
- Yeasts: More common in fingernails and caused by Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis.
- Non-dermatophyte molds: Caused by filamentous fungi found in nature, such as soil saprophytes or plant pathogens.
Depending on the characteristics of onychomycosis, there are four different types of fungal infections in the nails:
- Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (OSDL): The most common type, affecting the lateral edges and the layer of the epidermis under the nail. If it extends to the matrix, the nail may detach.
- White superficial onychomycosis: Caused by Trichophyton Mentagrophytes on the surface of the nail.
- Proximal subungual onychomycosis: A condition that affects people with diabetes, AIDS, or peripheral vascular disease.
- Candidiasis onychomycosis: Not very common in toenails, it usually affects fingernails.
- Total dystrophic onychomycosis: The evolution of any of the previous types, affecting the entire nail plate, which is the keratin layer protecting the nails.
Fungi do not always spread to all nails; in many cases, they only affect a specific nail.
Symptoms
The most prominent symptoms of fungal infection in the toenails are:
- Discoloration or yellowish color
- Thickening
- Peeling
- Fragility
- Irregularities or deformities
- Separation of the skin
Causes
The appearance of fungus in the feet can be caused by poor hygiene, walking barefoot in humid public places, or metabolic disturbances.
Risk Factors
Some factors that increase the risk of developing onychomycosis include:
- Wearing non-breathable footwear
- Walking barefoot in damp areas
- Having a history of athlete’s foot
- Being diabetic, immunosuppressed, having circulatory problems, or suffering from psoriasis
Complications
Although it is not common, fungal infections in the nails can spread to other parts of the foot, especially in immunocompromised individuals, and can permanently damage the nails.
Prevention
Recommendations to prevent foot nail fungus include:
- Maintain good hygiene of the feet in general, and nails in particular.
- Cut nails straight regularly.
- Change socks daily (more than once if sweating).
- Use breathable footwear.
- Avoid walking barefoot in damp areas, especially in public places.
Which doctor treats foot nail fungus?
Podiatrists are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of foot nail fungus.
Diagnosis
To diagnose onychomycosis, the following steps are followed:
- Thorough medical history to understand the patient's previous conditions and lifestyle habits.
- Physical examination, during which the toenails are observed and the rest of the body is examined for similar lesions.
- Collection of samples for culturing and analysis to identify the type of fungus causing the infection.
Treatment
Treatment for foot nail fungus varies depending on the agent that caused the infection. The most common treatments include:
- Antifungal medications: These are widely used because they have almost no side effects. Sometimes creams and nail polishes are applied, while other times oral medication is used. They are very effective in treating white superficial onychomycosis and distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis.
- Surgical removal of the nail: When the infection becomes severe, it may be necessary to remove the nail to treat the affected skin area.
