The nail fungi attack your nail when they get favorable condition. Some of the signs you may notice during the infection are the thickening of the nail, distortion of shape of the nail which may lose the shine. There can be black spots in your nail also.
The infected nail can come out from the nail bed and this condition is known as ‘Onycholysis’. You can even experience ache on the tip of the toenails or the fingernails. Due to the fungus, there may be offensive smell also coming out.
When to meet the doctor
Until you treat it, the infection can last even for very long time. You should consult the physician as soon as you notice the sign and symptoms of the fungal infection. You may notice white or yellow mark in your nails.
Causes
Fungi are not visible from our naked eyes. Compound microscope is needed to observe them and they can even survive without light. Some of the fungi provide benefit but some are harmful that may cause different diseases.
‘Dermatophytes’ are the group of fungi which cause nail fungus infection. It is not only the fungus that can cause the infection. It can be yeasts or molds also.
Since the fungi are minute organisms, they can enter into the skin through the tiny pores. Infection with nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails because toenails are often confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes. There will also be favorable environment for the fungus to grow when there is no proper circulation of blood in the toes. Due to this, the immunity system cannot defend the attack.
Risk Factors
The nail fungus commonly attacks the nails in older adults. Diminished blood circulation and more years of exposure to fungi are reasons behind it. Also, nails may grow more slowly and thicken with age, making them more susceptible to infection. You are more exposed to danger if you are male if you have anyone in your family suffering from this infection.
Some other factors that can push you to get high danger can be:
• Excessive sweating
• Involved in work in humid or moist places
• Suffering from ‘psoriasis’
• Using such socks that avoid the absorption of the sweat
• Moving in the wet places without shoes
• Fingers getting injured or damaged due to some other reasons
• No proper distribution of blood in every parts of body and especially the fingers of hands and toes.
Difficulties
The infection caused by the fungus can be long term if not treated that can cause ache or even damage the nail permanently. It can be the cause for the other infections in your feet as well if your immunity is not good and if you are using other medicines or if you are a diabetic person.
It is much more affecting diabetic people with weaker immunity power lacking WBCs in blood. If you are suffering from AIDS or any other problems, you will be affected. Having the insufficient supply of blood in the feet, you may suffer from other problems also. Moreover, you are exposed to risk for ‘cellulitis’ which is caused by the attack of bacteria in skin. If you are infected from the fungus in your nail and at the same time if you have any cuts or wounds in the same part, it is really going to be a serious difficulty. In this case, you should consult the doctor as soon as possible.
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