Nail fungal disease
Fungal nail disease, medically referred to as onychomycosis, is an infection located in the toenails that is caused by a group of fungi are dermatophytes, yeast, and mold that feed on nail keratin, a structural protein within your nails.
There are several causes of toenail fungus, which is more common on toenails than on fingernails.
Fungal colonies proliferate in moist, warm and dark environments and invade the nail bed by penetrating the margins of the nail
resulting in pain, impaired ability to walk, yellowing, thickening, cracking of the nails, and negative self-image.
Sweat and darkness are inevitable when feet are covered by shoes all day. Feet that are excessively sweaty are more likely to develop fungal infections.
Shoes and socks that have come into contact with fungi can also infect a toenail.
Public areas - These fungi enter the nail or skin through extremely tiny openings from cuts and scratches in your nail bed,
and through small openings between your nail and the bed.
Once there, the dark environment provides the perfect place to grow.
This condition is extremely contagious, and can be picked up in areas like public swimming pools, locker rooms, and gyms.
These areas have a lot of foot traffic, are moist, and are usually not very well aired out. Once the fungus has entered
your feet, it is very stubborn and hard to kill.
Risk factors
Several conditions may predispose your nails, and make you more at risk for developing fungal toenails.
Diseases like diabetes and AIDS affect the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight the infection.
Further, decreased or poor circulation to the toes can also reduce the ability to fight off infection.
Aging is a large factor for this condition, as the nails become more brittle and take longer to grow.
They also become thicker. Diminished circulation is also common in older age.
If you work in a humid or moist environment, you are at an increased risk for nail fungus.
Working in these types of environments allows the feet to become wet and don’t allow them to air out and dry.
If you have other fungal or bacterial infections, such as athlete’s foot, you are at a greater risk as well.
Fungal infections are highly contagious, and can spread from toe to toe, as well as from skin to nail (and vice-versa).
Solutions offered to date include prescription medications that have side effects and surgery to remove the nail; neither is comfortable for
the millions suffering with nail fungus.
Oral medications have the potential to elevate liver enzymes and can cause liver damage.
1 Stan Road, Grayston Drive, Morningside, Sandton. Johannesburg
Fungal nail disease, medically referred to as onychomycosis, is an infection located in the toenails that is caused by a group of fungi are dermatophytes, yeast, and mold that feed on nail keratin, a structural protein within your nails.
There are several causes of toenail fungus, which is more common on toenails than on fingernails.
Fungal colonies proliferate in moist, warm and dark environments and invade the nail bed by penetrating the margins of the nail
resulting in pain, impaired ability to walk, yellowing, thickening, cracking of the nails, and negative self-image.
Sweat and darkness are inevitable when feet are covered by shoes all day. Feet that are excessively sweaty are more likely to develop fungal infections.
Shoes and socks that have come into contact with fungi can also infect a toenail.
Public areas - These fungi enter the nail or skin through extremely tiny openings from cuts and scratches in your nail bed,
and through small openings between your nail and the bed.
Once there, the dark environment provides the perfect place to grow.
This condition is extremely contagious, and can be picked up in areas like public swimming pools, locker rooms, and gyms.
These areas have a lot of foot traffic, are moist, and are usually not very well aired out. Once the fungus has entered
your feet, it is very stubborn and hard to kill.
Risk factors
Several conditions may predispose your nails, and make you more at risk for developing fungal toenails.
Diseases like diabetes and AIDS affect the immune system, making it more difficult for the body to fight the infection.
Further, decreased or poor circulation to the toes can also reduce the ability to fight off infection.
Aging is a large factor for this condition, as the nails become more brittle and take longer to grow.
They also become thicker. Diminished circulation is also common in older age.
If you work in a humid or moist environment, you are at an increased risk for nail fungus.
Working in these types of environments allows the feet to become wet and don’t allow them to air out and dry.
If you have other fungal or bacterial infections, such as athlete’s foot, you are at a greater risk as well.
Fungal infections are highly contagious, and can spread from toe to toe, as well as from skin to nail (and vice-versa).
Solutions offered to date include prescription medications that have side effects and surgery to remove the nail; neither is comfortable for
the millions suffering with nail fungus.
Oral medications have the potential to elevate liver enzymes and can cause liver damage.
1 Stan Road, Grayston Drive, Morningside, Sandton. Johannesburg
