Nail fungus is a fungal infection of the fingernails and toenails. These fungal infections usually cause discoloration, thickening and often softening of the nails.

- Nail fungus is a difficult condition to treat and may often cause permanent damage to the nails and possibly nail loss.

Toenail fungus often begins as an infection in the skin called tinea pedis (also known as athlete's foot). The fungus often starts under the nail fold at the end of the nail. Over time it grows underneath the nail and causes changes to its appearance, such as a yellow or brownish discoloration. It can also cause thickening and deformity of the toenail.

Symptoms

? Psoriasis

? Age changes

? Candida Albicans

?Hereditary nail diseases

?Nail damages or other infections

Symptoms of toenail fungus

? Your toenails may start to crumble or split

? Debris present under your toe nail

? Nail can become thicker and with a rougher than normal surface

? Foul smell from (underneath) the nail

Infected nails may also separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. You may even feel pain in your toes or fingertips and detect a slightly foul odor.

Causes of Nail Fungus

Mostly adults and persons with diabetes or leukemia are susceptible to nail fungal infection due to the waning of the immune system, blood circulation problems, and aging. Nail fungus are naturally anaerobic. Meaning, they live in places where there is low oxygen supply, and that is why the toenails is its favorite habitat .Other than these, there are several more factors that cause the development of this disease.

Fungal nail infections are a result of, as indicated by the name, by one of various kinds of fungus - any of the variety of dermatophytes, candida, and molds. Fungus flourishes in moist and dark conditions, and these conditions are typical of the nail bed, specifically on the foot.

Treatments

One of the biggest mistakes we see in nail fungus treatment is trying a home remedy for nail fungus. Many patients spend months trying treatments like vinegar, bleach, rubbing alcohol and even Listerine. Unfortunately except in rare cases, these home remedies don't work. And since you are wasting time trying them, your fungus can actually worsen

Oral medications

to treat nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:

?Itraconazole (Sporanox)

?Fluconazole (Diflucan)

?Terbinafine (Lamisil)

These medications help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected portion of your nail.

Antifungal lacquer. If you have a mild to moderate infection of nail fungus, your doctor may prefer to prescribe an antifungal nail polish called ciclopirox (Penlac). You paint it onto your infected nails and surrounding skin once a day. After seven days, you wipe the piled-on layers clean with alcohol and begin fresh applications.

Stronger medications are available by prescription.

- Except for use in WSO, topical antifungal rarely cure nail fungus.

- Systemic antifungal medication is available by prescription only