Therefore: how does a fungal nail arise? And what can you do about a fungal nail? Although nail infections are sometimes difficult to control, Mycosan, as a specialist in the treatment of fungal nail, has a few tips for you.
Fungal nails don’t heal on their own, you have to do something about it! Therefore, always treat a fungal nail. In addition, the fungi that cause fungal nails are contagious. There is a chance that the infection will spread to other parts of the nail and foot or that you will infect other people with the fungi that cause fungal nail.
Fungal nails are the most common problem for the feet. Fungal nails are nails (on the toe or fingers) that are infected with a fungus or yeast. Fungal nails are also called onychomycosis. There are several causes that can lead to a fungal nail. Mycosan offers effective solutions for fungal nails that can solve and prevent your problem.
Onychomycosis is the medical term for a fungal nail (‘fungal: mycosis – nail: onycho’) that can occur on toenails and fingernails. Fungi are microscopic organisms that do not need sunlight to survive.Some fungi have beneficial properties, while others may cause infection and illness. A fungus only becomes a problem when it enters your skin or nail. Fungi likes warm and humid places and do not need sunlight to survive. Shoes and sweat socks are an ideal breeding ground for the fungus. Toenails are therefore extra vulnerable, because they are often located in dark, humid places.
Fungal nails are caused by a fungus that belongs to the groups of dermatophytes. These fungi usually have names that begin with Trichophyton. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common skin fungus that causes fungal nails (70%), Trichophyton mentagrophytes causes 20% of the fungal nails. The other 10% of causers include Candida species among others. The fungi feed themselves with keratin, which is one of the main components of your nails.
A fungal nail can provide discomfort and is usually an embarrassing problem. Due to the fungal infection changes will occur at the surface of the nail and a fungal nail will develop. The fungal infections can cause discoloration, thickening and flaking of the nails. A thickened nail could also be caused by a growth disturbance or a skin disease like psoriasis. The nail shows the same discoloration with psoriasis as a fungal nail.
There are several causes with regard to getting a fungal nail. Below we have highlighted the most important and common ones for you.
A fungal nail often develops from athlete’s foot, which is a fungal infection of the skin. If athlete’s foot is not treated in time, the fungus may spread to the nails.
The organisms that cause fungal nail live in warm, humid environments. That is why you can be infected with the fungi causing fungal nails when you find yourself in a public, humid environment such as a sauna, gym, public showers or swimming pools.
When other members of the family are suffering from a fungal nail, there is a good chance of you getting infected through for instance the shower floor or bed sheets.
When your finger is caught between a door, when you hit your finger with a hammer or stub your toe against the leg of a table, your nail incurs injuries. It often happens that the nail loosens itself from the nail bed. The greater the size of the loosened part the greater the area where fungi can penetrate into the nail.
A fungal infection causing fungal nail is more common in toe nails than finger nails, because toenails are often enclosed in the dark, warm and humid inside of your shoes – an ideal place for fungi to grow. Another cause may lie in the fact that feet receive less blood flow than fingers. Therefore, it is more difficult for the immune system to detect and fight the fungus.
Fungal nail is more common among older adults. The causes are amongst others, decreased blood circulation and a longer exposure to fungi. As the nails grow slower and thicker as you get older, they are more susceptible to fungal nail infection.
Fungal nails are equally as common among men as in women.
Fungal nail infection is the most common foot problem. The increase of this problem may be due to wearing tight shoes and increasing use of public areas such as dressing rooms and saunas.
Do you have a fungal nail? A fungal nail does not look pretty. It usually starts with a discoloration in the corner of the nail and slowly spreads towards the nail cuticle. The visible changes in the nail are easily recognized with fungal nail. Therefore, it is important to inspect your feet on a regular basis. This way you are able to react on time if a fungal infection is developing.
The fungal nail usually starts with a discolored part in the corner of the nail and slowly spreads to the cuticle. The visible changes to the nail in a fungal nail are easy to recognize. It is therefore important to regularly inspect your feet so that you can react in time to the development of this fungal infection.
There are different types of fungal nails, but the most common type starts at the edge of the nail and spreads itself towards the nail cuticle.
Most common symptoms of a fungal nail:
You have a fungal nail and you just started treating it with the Mycosan Fungal Nail Treatment set. After one week of treatment with the Mycosan serum in the precision brush, you will start to file the affected area of the nail with one of the included nail files.
By filing the nail, the serum is able to penetrate the nail for a better and optimal result. You will continue filing the nail once every week during the whole treatment.
Attention: use the files only once to prevent further contamination of the fungi.
Do you want to know more about the treatment with Mycosan Fungal Nail Treatment set? Click here.
How can you best treat fungal nails?
Fungal nails do not heal on their own; you will have to do something about it! That’s why you always have to treat fungal nails. Additionally, some of the fungi that cause fungal nails are contagious. There is a chance that the infection will spread to other parts of the nail and foot or even to other people.
The treatment of fungal nails can generally be divided into two categories:
If you are not sure if you suffer of a fungal nail or a different nail condition, we advise you to contact your general practitioner. The same goes for self-care products, if they don’t seem to work even if you have used them in the correct manner
Existing topical treatments are mainly based on an intensive treatment with nail polish. Some are available on prescription and others can be bought over the counter. Most topical substances have to be used for a longer period of time during which the nail polish has to be removed and applied again. There are new products on the market which use technologies that enable the active substances to penetrate deeper into the nail. Therefore, the fungus is treated locally.
These treatments can only be obtained on prescription and are used only for treatment of severe cases in which the nail matrix is affected.
It is important to continue treatment until the nail looks completely clean and healthy again. Fungal nails often return after treatment because not all the fungus is completely cleared. Nails grow slowly, and therefore it takes time until the affected part has completely grown out of the nail.
Essential oils are a treatment for the nails.
Nail surgery is only performed after referral from a GP and is not a standard procedure for treatment of fungal nail. It is a procedure which should only be performed in special cases.
Everybody knows a story about a grandmother who dipped her nails into vinegar (or baking soda, or more exotic potions) in order to get rid of her fungal nail. These home remedies certainly have one thing in common; more attention was paid to nail care. Maybe it helps.
Prevent nail damage. A damaged nail infects much faster.
Dry your feet carefully after showering and do this with extra care between the toes! This gives the fungus less chance.
Wear clean socks every day, preferably cotton or wool. It is important that the socks absorb perspiration (humidity) and keep the skin dry. Wash your socks inside out, so that any possible fungus in the fabric are washed out and are less able to adhere to the material.
Change your shoes regularly and wear well-ventilated (leather) shoes. When possible, take off your shoes and walk barefoot or in socks.
Wear flipflops (pool slippers) in public areas.
Wash your feet every day, preferably with little or no soap at all.
Use Mycosan Foot & Shoe Powder to keep feet dry and prevent fungal infection. Use Mycosan Protect to protect your feet against fungi for 12 hours
With every complaint of the foot, a visit to the pedicure can provide insight for correct treatment or referral to a specialist. It is therefore good to seek advice in case of foot complaints.
For more tips on taking care of your feet, see Mycosan Tips & Advice
Is fungal nail contagious?
Yes! Fungal nails are very contagious, the fungi that cause fungal nails can spread to other parts of the body or even other people if you don’t do anything about it.
Do fungal nails go away on their own?
Fungal nails do not heal on their own; you should always treat these.
I have athlete’s foot, can I get fungal nails?
Yes, what many people do not know is that fungal nail and athlete’s foot are caused by the same fungi. If you don’t treat athlete’s foot, this infection can spread to the nails and cause a fungal nail.
Does Fungal Nail occur in children?
Fungal nail infections mainly occur in adults, rarely if ever in children. However, there is always a risk of contamination if, for example, you yourself suffer from a fungal nail and you share the shower room with each other. Fungus flakes can remain on the floor, which can infect others.
Does fungal nail occur on fingernails?
Fungal nails mainly appear on the toenails, especially the big toe. Fungal nails occur to a lesser extent on fingernails.
I have a fungal nail, what now?
If you suspect that you have a fungal nail, first check all the symptoms. When you are sure that you have a fungal nail infection, start treatment immediately. Don’t wait! The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you stop the development of the fungus and slow down the fungal nail infection.
I’ve been treating my fungal nail for a week now, but I still don’t see any results?
When you start treating the fungal nail, the first results will be visible after 2 weeks. The infection will not spread further, the growth of the fungi is inhibited. The growth of a moderate to mild fungal nail then takes an average of 3 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the complaints. It is therefore important to always complete a treatment and according to the instructions for use.
How long does it take for a fungal nail to disappear?
The growth of a moderate to mild fungal nail takes an average of 3 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the complaints.
Do I have to see a pedicure when having a fungal nail infection?
Since we don’t look at our feet very often, an infection or fungus can manifest itself quickly. With every discomfort of the foot, a visit to the pedicure can provide insight for correct treatment or referral to a specialist. It is therefore good to seek advice in case of foot discomforts.
Can I treat a fungal nail while pregnant?
We advise not to use fungal nail treatments, including Mycosan Fungal Nail Treatment Set, during pregnancy, unless a (GP) doctor says that this is not a problem. The reason for this is that we cannot say with 100% certainty that Mycosan has no influence on the unborn child. Use of Mycosan Fungal Nail Treatment Set during breastfeeding should not be a problem. Always consult your doctor to be sure.
