What is the underlying cause of toenail fungus?

Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms (fungi). The most common cause is a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Yeast and molds also can cause nail infections. Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but it’s more common in older adults.

Is toenail fungus something to worry about?

When to See Your Doctor Anytime you think you have a fungal nail infection, or any nail problem, and treating it at home doesn’t help, see your doctor or podiatrist (foot doctor). The sooner you go, the sooner your doctor can help. Fungal nail infections can get worse over time.

Can fungal nail infection affect other parts body?

But it can spread to other parts of the body. If a fungus is affecting one of your toenails, the toenails surrounding it are more likely to develop it as well, Dr. Goad says. In some people, the fungus can also spread to the surrounding skin, causing athlete’s foot.

What mimics toenail fungus?

Psoriasis can sometimes mimic a fungal infection of the nail even though psoriasis isn’t an infection at all but rather a skin disorder caused by an overactive immune system. Other causes of toenail discoloration include ingrown nails, skin cancer, certain inflammatory conditions, and Darier disease.

Can toenail fungus get into your bloodstream?

In severe cases of cellulitis, the infection can enter the bloodstream and be deadly. “And it can all start from a simple fungal infection,” Joseph says.

Can toenail fungus get in your bloodstream?

Widespread infection. In severe cases of cellulitis, the infection can enter the bloodstream and be deadly. “And it can all start from a simple fungal infection,” Joseph says.

What happens if you have toenail fungus for too long?

If you let a nail fungus infection go for too long, several problems emerge. The infected nail can become misshapen and increasingly separated from your nail bed. Itching and pain are unpleasant side effects; if they’re too severe, you can have trouble wearing shoes or walking.

Does toenail fungus mean I have Candida?

Itching and a visible rash are the two most common symptoms of skin fungal infections. An overgrowth of Candida can cause conditions like athlete’s foot, ringworm and toenail fungus ( 21 ). While not life threatening, skin fungal infections can be very uncomfortable and significantly decrease quality of life.

What happens when you have a fungal infection in your nail?

An infected nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge.

Can toenail fungus spread from one nail to another?

Toenail fungal infection can start from athlete’s foot (foot fungus), and it can spread from one nail to another. But it is uncommon to get an infection from someone else. Factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:

Why does my toenail keep growing off?

They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.

What is the best treatment for fungal toenail fungus?

Prescription topical treatments. Effective products include efinaconazole (Jublia), tavaborole (Kerydin) and ciclopirox (Penlac). All require daily applications, and it may take as long as a year to see noticeable improvement. These products may work for early, superficial fungal infections because they kill fungi on the surface of the nail.