Fungal nail infections Pokenga kiri puruheka

You can get a fungal nail infection from:

• sharing personal items such as nail clippers or towels
• walking barefoot in shared showers or pools.

If you have athlete's foot (a fungal infection between the toes), the fungus can spread from your skin to your nail.

You may also be more likely to get an infection if you have other health problems like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis.

Common symptoms of fungal nail infections include:

• your nail getting thicker
• your nail changing colour (yellow, white, blue, purple or black)
• the skin near your nail itching or cracking
• your nail separating from the nail bed
• pain around the nail.

Some nail problems can look like a fungal infection, such as:

• an old injury
• a bacterial infection
• psoriasis.

It is important to confirm whether it really is a fungal infection, as treatments are different.

To confirm a fungal infection, your healthcare provider may need take a small sample of nail and send it to be tested. It can take several weeks to get the test results.

Your doctor can arrange a funded test. Podiatrists can arrange a test for you, but there is usually a charge for this.

If you have a fungal nail infection, there are things you can do to care for your toenail and avoid spreading your infection:

• do not share nail scissors, clippers or files
• treat other fungal infections such as athlete's foot
• keep your feet cool and dry by wearing breathable footwear
• wear socks made from materials such wool, bamboo or synthetics — avoid cotton socks as these trap moisture
• keep your toenails trimmed
• avoid high heels and shoes with narrow, pointy toes that may injure your nails
• when using shared showers, wear jandals or slides
• treat your environment .

See your healthcare provider if:

• the nail is painful
• the nail bothers you
• you are at risk of complications from a nail infection, for example if you have diabetes, peripheral vascular disease or a connective tissue disorder.

If you have a fungal nail infection, your treatment options may include:

• creams, ointments or paints (topical medication)
• tablets or capsules (oral medication)
• not treating the affected nail.

Discuss the risks and benefits of each treatment option with your healthcare provider. Some mild fungal nail infections may be left untreated.

Even after successful treatment, your nail might not look completely normal. 

There is a 1 in 4 chance that the fungal infection will come back.

Oral medication

• Treatment with oral medication is only successful in about 70% to 80% of people.
• Oral medication interacts with quite a few other medicines, increasing your risk of getting side effects.

Topical medications

• Topical treatment is less effective than oral medication.
• You need to use topical treatments every day for up to a year.

To help prevent a fungal nail infection:

• wash your feet often and dry them well
• trim your nails straight across and keep them short
• do not share nail scissors, clippers or files, and disinfect them after use
• disinfect shower floors regularly, especially in shared bathrooms
• protect your feet in shared showers and pools by wearing jandals or slides
• take your shoes off at home to let your feet breathe
• air your shoes regularly after use
• change your socks regularly
• wash your socks in hot water
• use an antifungal powder or spray in your socks and shoes.