Fungal Skin and Nail Infection of the Feet
Fungal skin and nail infections are common foot conditions that can affect anyone. It is often caused by various types of fungi, including dermatophytes, yeasts, and moulds.
Untreated fungal skin and nail infections can lead to serious complications such as
Spread of infection to other parts of body
Secondary bacterial infections
Permanent nail damage (Dystrophic toenail)
Chronic foot pain and discomfort
Below is some information about this condition and how our podiatrist at Glide Podiatry can help you.
Symptoms fungal skin and nail infection in the feet
The most common symptom of fungal skin and nail infection is:
Athletes foot (Tinea Pedis) - contagious fungal infection affecting the skin of the feet and toes, can have a burning, itching, and scaling effect - foul odour and pain can develop as condition progresses
Fungal toenails (Onychomycosis) - a fungal infection that affects the toenails, causing them to look thick, discoloured, and brittle - foul odour and debris under toenail can also develop as condition progresses
A physical examination by our podiatrist can help recommend the best treatment direction for your fungal skin and nail infection
Why did I get it?
Fungal skin and nail infections can affect all age groups, some examples of common causes and risk factors include:
Warm and moist environments - such as public showers, swimming pool, locker rooms
People who have sweaty feet (hyperhidrosis)
Inappropriate footwear choice
Not wearing socks, or inappropriate sock choices which can promote moisture retention
Trauma to skin or toenails - this allows a portal of entry for fungal infections
Poor foot hygiene practices
Medical conditions which affect immune system such as diabetes mellitus can increase the risk of infection
Sharing of nail polish at nail salons - previous application on a person with a fungal infection, the same brush is then applied to all subsequent users
How is it diagnosed?
Physical examination by a podiatrist or other medical professional
Skin or nail scraping for pathology testing
What treatments are there?
Some of the treatments available at Glide Podiatry include
Topical antifungal mediations - creams, gels, or spray which can be directly applied to affected areas
Skin and nail care - followed by guidance on proper foot hygiene practice at home
Nail surgery - this option can be considered for total dystrophic fungal toenails - where the whole toe nail including nail root is affected - similar to an ingrown toenail procedure, this will involve sterilising the nail matrix preventing regrowth
Other treatment options include
Oral antifungal medications - these are prescription medications from your General Practitioner, and often requires a liver function test prior to prescription, with regular tests to ensure liver function is within the normal range
Laser therapy - a non-invasive procedure using light energy to denature the fungi and promote healthy nail growth - this treatment is not available at Glide Podiatry
How do I prevent it?
Lifestyle and environmental changes such as:
Proper fitting footwear
Wearing socks made of natural fibers such as cotton or wool mix, and minimising use of synthetics,
Good foot hygiene practice (cleaning and drying feet properly)
Avoid barefoot contact in public spaces (showers, swimming pools, locker rooms)
Using your own nail polish and avoid sharing
Moisture control (for people with hyperhidrosis) - Antiperspirant sprays and other techniques to reduce sweating
Looking after your skin and nails at home - moisturiser use to protect skin barrier, and cutting nails properly
Differential diagnosis
Ingrown toenail - Nail edge growing into the skin of your toe causing pain and infection
Paronychia - Infection of the nail fold that is not due to ingrown toenail
Retronychia - Damage of the base of the nail causing malalignment of nail plate
Concluding statement
Fungal skin and nail infections are common foot conditions that can be easily treated and managed if caught early. Our Podiatrist are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of these infections, and can provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan that will teach you how to care for your feet, and prevent recurrence.
Visit our Hendra clinic today if you have fungal skin and nail problems
Make an appointment with Philip below.
Servicing the residents of Brisbane
Hendra, Ascot, Hamilton, Clayfield, Albion, Nundah, Clayfield, Eagle Farm, Northgate, Wavell Heights, Kedron, Gordon Park, Lutwyche, Windsor, Newstead, Stafford, Grange, Kelvin Grove
Key words: Fungal toenail, Yellow toenail, Discoloured toenail, Brittle nail, Debris under nail