Fingernail Fungus

Nail Fungus Symptoms

A fingernail fungus infection can happen quite quickly.

Nail fungus symptoms are not only very embarrassing; it can affect your self confidence if left untreated.

The medical term for nail fungus is Onychomycosis, which means fungal infection of the nail.

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If you leave fingernail disorders such as fungus untreated it can spread very easily to other fingernails or toenails. It can spread as easily as filing a nail with nail fungus, and then using the same nail file on another fingernail or toenail.

This type of nail problem does not easily spread to other people. I have suffered from fingernail fungus myself, and my children did not catch if from me. I would always make sure I cut their fingernails with nail scissors that I did not use myself.

Your fingernail starts to become destroyed by the fungus. When this happens the fungus will grow and spread.

If a fingernail fungus infection is left untreated and becomes very aggressive, the fingernail can and will detach from the nail bed.

Many people let this annoying fingernail disorder spread, simply because they don't know how to get rid of it or don't know what it is.

Sometimes, this type of fingernail condition can be the cause of a yeast problem that you may have had for years, and be unaware of.

Nail fungus is common in people whose immune system is not as strong as it should be. Looking after yourself, including the right supplements and healthy eating, will help strengthen your immune system.

If you are suffering from a fingernail infection, check to see if any of these conditions affect your nails.

Fingernail Fungus Symptoms

• First sign of a nail fungus symptom may be, your fingernail will become red and irritated around the base and sides of the nail, at first this can be the only part of your nail affected.
  

• You may experience a slight throbbing or itchiness around the cuticle, extreme cases bleeding may occur around the cuticle, this will then spread to your fingernail.
  

• Nails become thickened and softened, begin to crumble, become brittle or chipped, split and develop grooves or holes.
  

• Brownish or yellowish color will develop; can sometimes look like white or yellow spots.
  

• Black patches may appear.
  

• Can have a powdery look about the nail.
  

• Can be very hard to trim.
  

• May give off a smell.
  

• A more advanced stage of fungus, the nail can detach from nail bed.
  

Nail fungus is not the result of poor hygiene as many believe; usually a nail fungus infection can happen at any time without any obvious trigger.

Severe infections can happen when your immune system is seriously impaired, such as undergoing chemotherapy for example.

Wearing artificial nails, and constantly wearing nail polish can bring on fingernail fungus growth, as moisture is able to be trapped, and create an environment for fungus to grow.

Trying to hide this embarrassing problem by covering it up with nail polish will only worsen the problem, as your fingernails need to breathe.

Moisture, warmth, chafing of the skin and irritation all help fungus to grow.

If you suffer from diabetes or circulatory problems, you are more likely to catch this type of nail infection. Especially if you are a smoker.

Our bodies by nature will help fight any illnesses, yet ironically when you have a fungus problem the bodies own natural defences make it very difficult for you to get rid of fungus.

Some people have been known to have fungus under toenails and fingernails for years.

Not everyone will get a fungal infection of the fingernails. If there is a history of nail fungus in your family you may have a greater chance of getting this type of infection yourself.

Nail fungus symptoms are more prone to people over the age of 40.

You can also attract a nail fungus infection by a cut, wound or scratch to the skin around the fingernail. If this happens it can easily let in an infection.

My mother suffered from fingernail fungus, so I guess I was always going to be in the firing line!

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