Overview
Fungal nail infections are common but are not usually serious. They usually affect the toenails but can occur on finger nails too.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include:
- Discolouration of the nail ( white, black, yellow or green)
- Thickening and deformation of the nail
- Pain or discomfort when pressure is applied
- Brittleness which causes the nail to break easily
- Skin near the nail which is itchy, cracked, red or swollen
Causes
Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. You are more likely to get a fungal nail infection if you:
- Don’t keep your feet clean and dry
- Walk around barefoot in communal showers or gyms
- Have damaged nails
- Have a weakened immune system
- Have certain other health conditions such as diabetes or psoriasis
Fungal nail infections can be spread to other people so you should take steps to avoid this if you have an infection.
Treatment
Treatment isn’t always needed for a mild fungal nail infection but pharmacy treatments to alleviate pain and discomfort include:
- Antifungal nail paints that are applied directly to the nail over several months
- Nail softening kits used to soften infected parts of the nail before they are removed with a scraping device