Fingernail Fungus Starts from Correct Diagnosis
One of the questions asked by your doctor when you present him with a “suspicious” fingernail condition is whether you have recently injured your fingernails.
The reason for this question is that fingernails manifest a number of health conditions unrelated to fungus infection
Diagnosis of Fingernail Abnormalities
- Yellow nail syndrome is when nails turn yellow, become thick and slow down in growth. This is a sign of respiratory disease.
- Terry’s nails show a dark band at the tip of the nails, which could be a sign of liver disease.
- Nail pitting or small depressions in the nails is associated with psoriasis, characterized by scaly skin.
- Beau’s lines, or indentations running across the nails, appear when nail growth is interrupted by injury or illness.
- Nail separation (known as onycholysis) is when the nail plate separates from the nail bed. This could mean hyperthyroidism or simply a reaction from nail hardeners or adhesives.
After ruling out all of the above nail abnormalities, then the doctor can now turn his attention on fungus infection.
Signs and Symptoms of Fungus Infection
- Fungal infection starts with a white or yellow spot under the fingernail.
- Nail is dull and loses luster.
- As the infection deepens (meaning covers the entire nail plate), the discoloration may change from yellowish to greenish to brownish to black.
- Nail thickens, gets distorted with grooves, and may separate from the nail bed.
- Nail crumbles and falls off.
- Infected nail could have a bad smell.
Based on the progression of the fingernail fungal infection and comparing it with the earlier nail abnormalities, it is best to consult a doctor and get a correct diagnosis of the nail condition.
The doctor will scrape the surface of the fingernail and also the debris found underneath it. These will be sent to a laboratory to confirm what caused the fungal infection, known as Onychomycosis.
Onychomycosis may be caused by various fungi species.
- dermatophytes (such as T. rubrum and T. interdigitale),
- yeasts (such as Candida albicans)
- moulds (such as S. brevicaulis and Fusarium)
It is important to identify the right fungi species because each one may require a different treatment program. Note that the use of anti-fungal drugs can be detected even after a year has elapsed.
Treatment of Fingernail Fungal Infections
Fingernail fungal infections are easier to cure than toenail infections. They respond best to a combination of topical and oral anti-fungal medications. However, this treatment program can not be used on a long-term basis because of the adverse side effects to the liver and kidney functions.
A quicker solution is laser treatment. This is especially applicable for infections resistant to medications. The laser emits infra-red radiation that safely kills the fungi. However, you may need 1-3 sessions to ensure complete eradication.