Fungal Nail and Athlete’s Foot

Fungal nail (onychomycosis) is a common condition, an infection that may cause your nail to discolour, thicken and crumble at the edge.  Several types of fungus cause nail infections, it can affect several nails and can be painful.

Fungal infections can develop over quite a long period of time and can be hard to notice at first. They can also take a long time to treat.

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is when fungus infects the areas between your toes and the skin of your feet. There are different types of fungus that cause different symptoms of athlete’s foot.  If athlete’s foot is not treated it can infect your nails.

It is important to see an experienced podiatrist who can accurately diagnose your condition and give you effective treatment. Please see below if you want more detailed explanation of fungal nail and athlete’s foot and their symptoms, causes and treatments.

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Fungal Nail

Symptoms of fungal nail

A common symptom of  fungal nail is that your nail becomes thickened and discoloured. The nail can turn white, black, yellow or green.  The condition can be painless but in some cases if left untreated there may be pain and discomfort.  Nails can become brittle and pieces or the whole nail breaking off and the skin around and under the nail bed can become inflamed.

Other symptoms of fungal nail include:

  • nails becoming thicker
  • nails becoming distorted
  • nails breaking easily
  • nails with whitish to yellow-brown dots which can become bigger
  • the fungus can spread to your skin around the nail

Different kinds of fungi and sometimes yeast affect different parts of the nail and you may have nail fungus if one or more of your nails. Left without treatment an infection can spread to other nails.

Causes of fungal nail

  • people who spend a lot of time in water
  • have a nail or skin injury around a nail
  • diabetics or people with poor circulation
  • age is a factor; the over 65’s are more susceptible
  • men more than women
  • weakened immune systems
  • some skin conditions such as psoriasis
  • your footwear can be a factor
  • if you have family members who have the condition

Treatment of fungal nail

Fungal nail can look like some other conditions and you need to be seen by an experienced podiatrist, who can diagnose and treat the problem.

Treatments can include:

  • nail reduction to reduce pain
  • appropriate topical medications best suited for your condition
  • oral medications
  • toenail surgery may be a solution in some cases
  • footwear advice
  • self-care advice
  • preventative advice

If you have diabetes and suspect that you have a nail fungal infection it is important that you see an experienced podiatrist.

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist and chiropodist who sees many patients with fungal nail  conditions.  Rachel can help diagnose your problem, treat it and give you self help advice as well as preventative advice to avoid reinfections.

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Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedes) is a common fungal skin infection of the toes and foot that can become very uncomfortable.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot

Symptoms can include your skin being:

  • itchy
  • burning
  • cracked
  • blistering
  • red
  • scaly
  • peeling

Athlete’s foot is often found on moist skin between the fourth and fifth toes or on dry skin on the heel or anywhere on the foot. If left untreated it can spread to the nails making it harder to treat.

Causes of athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot is contagious and can be spread from contaminated floors, typically in changing rooms and showers, towels or clothing. Athlete’s foot tends to be found more in men, those who sweat a lot and not surprisingly, in athletes. The dark sweaty environment of some trainers and shoes provide a good breeding ground for the fungus. But you can get athlete’s foot in summer from sandals which can dry out the skin making it more prone to infection.

Athlete’s foot is caused by a number of fungal species (including trichophyton, epidermophyton, microsporum) and there are four types:

  • chronic interdigital found between the toes
  • plantar “moccasin foot” scaly on the sole of the foot
  • acute ulcerative
  • vesiculobullous, blistering athlete’s foot

Treatment of athlete’s foot

Athlete’s foot usually can be treated at home by for instance making sure your feet are dry after washing, changing your footwear regularly and wearing the right shoes.

If athlete’s foot is persistent or you have concerns you should contact an experienced podiatrist.  A podiatrist can help you find the best treatment for your type of athlete’s foot.

Treatment can include:

  • if the infection has reached the nails, their thickness can be reduced and cut back to help keep the foot cooler and dryer
  • you can be given self-care advice
  • footwear advice
  • preventative advice

If you are diabetic and think you have athlete’s foot you should see an experienced podiatrist straight away.

Rachel Miller is a highly experienced podiatrist and chiropodist who sees many patients with fungal skin conditions.  Rachel can help diagnose your problem, treat it and give you self help advice as well as preventative advice to avoid reinfections.

Call the Clinic for an appointment

Rachel Miller’s clinic is at Highgate Podiatry in Highgate Village, 14 Pond Square, N6 6BA, London.  Clinics are held every Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. Please contact the clinic for an appointment on 020 8348 5553. For the clinic’s address, map and directions see the Contact page and for information about orthotic insoles and biomechanics see the Biomechanics page.

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