What is nail fungus?

Of all the known funghi, nearly 100,000 different types, surprisingly few are harmful to humans - approximately 60-70 only.

The nail fungus are microscopically small and consist mainly of thread-like structures - dermatophytes belonging to the Trichophyton family.

When treating toenail fungus or fingernail fungus, your first thought might be to use something for Athletes Foot, or Lamisil in any form or shape but Lamisil cost can be a problem, and there are side effects as well. Toe nail fungus medicine comes in many other forms and in some cases you don't need to do anything at all except simple basics like changing socks and avoiding wet floors.

Fingernail fungus on the increase

During later years, especially the Trichophyton Rubum has increased continously and is currently the causing factor behind more than 95% of all nail fungus infections. Infections can also be caused in some cases by Candida Albicans, especially the fingernail fungus infections.

Toenail fungus - an increasing problem

It may be due to the increasing use of non-natural materials in shoes and socks - or it may just be that we are more aware of the cosmetical effects of a tonail fungal infection today and that we simply don't accept the looks of tonail fungus - although it is quite benign and could be left alone with no great harm done.

The fact is that nearly one tenth of the population in the western world is affected of a toenail fungus infection, or has been affected by tonail fungus at some stage. The most common patient requiring medicine and treatment is a middle aged man. How to treat nail fungus varies from patient to patient, much depending on the severity of the infection. The options can be from doing absolutely nothing (as in its mild form, it is merely a cosmetical problem) to the extreme cases of removing the toenail.

How can you get infected with nail fungus?

Toenail fungus (or finger nail fungus) can either be a direct infection of the nail itself, or more common is that tonail fungus is an infection spreading from the toes or underneath your feet - from an athletes foot infection. A common source of infection is walking barefoot on wet surfaces like floors in public swimbaths, or dressing rooms where lots of people pass by every day. It is easier to catch an infection if you have a damaged toe nail, or low blood circulation.

If you have healthy skin and nails, you also have a good resistance against funghal attack and you will not get infected by finger or toe nail fungus. If however your nails are weak, damaged, grow slowly or are kept damp for too long, the conditions are perfect for funghi to get a foothold.

Finger- or toe nail fungus - is that dangerous?

No, although it can be painful in some cases, it is mainly a cosmetical problem but nevertheless something you want to get rid of or at least stop from spreading. In some cases, the cure can actually be more dangerous with severe side effects (although rare). Lamisil is the most common prescription drug belonging to the terbinafine group of drugs which is considered the most efficient but at the same time there can be some unpleasant side effects to your nail fungus treatment.