Nail fungus

Nail fungus

Nail fungus is a fungal infection under the nail. Nail fungus causes discoloration and thickening of the nails. For many, nail fungus is a cosmetic problem, but it rarely causes serious symptoms.

What is nail fungus?

Nail fungus is a fungal infection under the nails that causes the nails to become yellowish, porous and thickened. Nail fungus can also cause deformed nails and the nails to loosen completely, and affects approximately 2-8% of the population. Older people are affected more than younger people. The toenails are most frequently affected, but the fingernails can also be affected by fungus.

The fungus that causes nail fungus (dermatophytes) feeds on creatine, which nails are made of. Therefore, nails attacked by fungus can become deformed and damaged.

​

Causes

Nail fungus is usually caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes, and very often (90%) by the genus Trichophyton. Predisposing factors for getting nail fungus can be:

Athlete's foot, it can spread to the toenails.Damage to nails can predispose to nail fungus.Athletes and people who wear tight footwear or whose feet are often damp.Impaired immune system.Other conditions, such as psoriasis, can also cause nail changes.

Symptoms

Fungal nail infections often start at the edge or on the side of the nail, and work their way into the nail. The nail often gets a yellowish discoloration and the front part of the nail thickens and can detach from the substrate. The entire nail can be destroyed over time. Untreated, the nail fungus can spread to several nails. You can get a fungal infection in the skin and the areas around the affected nail.

Preventive advice

Wash your feet daily and dry them well before putting on socks and shoes. Nail fungus thrives best in a moist and warm environment.Change socks if they become damp. It is important to keep your feet dry.Avoid tight shoes and shoes that squeeze over the nails.Wear swimming shoes in public wet rooms.

Self-test for nail fungus test

If you suspect nail fungus, you can take a self-test at home and get a quick answer as to whether or not you have nail fungus. Take the Dynamic Code self-test for nail fungus easily by following the instructions in the package, and submit your test result for analysis. In just a few days you will receive an answer to your test.