Fingernail fungus

and the toenail variety are both caused by the same microorganisms, present all around us, just waiting for a chance to bite.

Fingernail and toenail fungus - the short summary :

• 10% of all people have nail fungus

• Infections mainly via wet floors in gyms etc - always use slippers!

• Middle age men have the highest risk of infection

• Trichophyton Rubum is responsible for over 95% of the cases

• Candida Albicans etc in the rest of cases

• Treatment is necessary only in severe cases

• Best treatment with drugs containing terbinafine

Dermatophytes

Dermatophytes, that is the name of the main bad guys. Although nail fungus can be caused by some others (noticeably Candida Albicans), the dermatophytes are the organisms causing over 95% of all toe nail (and finger-) fungal infections.

These funghi are present around us all the time and will normally not cause a fingernail infection, or to nail fungus. It is when you have a weakened immune defence, maybe a damage to your nails, fingers or feet, these can get hold and create the nail fungus, also called tinea unguium.

Avoiding a fingernail fungus infection

Fingernail infections can be avoided by simple things like keeping your fingers dry and clean, avoiding artificial varnishes because they tend to "close in" the moisture and thereby create a fantastic environment for the dermatophytes to grow.

Fingernail fungus symptoms

Once they have goot a foothold (fingerhold?) they will use their very powerful enzymes of the keratolytic group and slowly break down the keratin in your nails, sometimes making the nails thicker, surface can become rough, nail can get yellow-ish in colour (although there are also some more unusual forms where the nail get white spots, or areas).

Eventually, there will be a thick layer of goey smelly stuff underneath your nail which is where the condition is no longer just a small cosmetic problem. You will then need to look at nail fungus treatment, and steps you can take to avoid the fungus to thrive and spread.

In most cases though, it never gets this far. A fact is that most people with a toenail or fingernail fungus infection do not seek treatment, mainly because an infection can be present for years without causing much harm.