Preventing and treating nail fungus or fungal nail infections

A fungal nail is a thin swollen, crumbling, and yellow-coloured nail that can be affected by the candida fungus or the typical toenail fungus: dermatophytes.

Many therefore think that a fungal nail is synonymous with 'fungal nail'. But a fungal nail is not always infected by a fungal infection.

A thickening of the nail can have various causes; besides the fungal infection, ageing can also play a role. The ageing process can result in an increased production of keratin (Onychograrypos), causing the nails to become brittle and thickened.

Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause a superficial infection of the skin or nail, these fungi reside in your nail and can be contracted if:

• The skin or nail is moist for a long time (such as with sweaty feet)
• Due to small injuries
• Through close contact with other people
• Due to poor hygiene

Candida yeast lives in everyone's intestines and on healthy skin. Under the right circumstances, this yeast can thrive and develop into fungi. The fungi weaken the immune system and promote a candida infection. Especially in combination with:

• Medications (antibiotics)
• A reduced resistance (diabetes, burnout, chemotherapy)
• Skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)
• Due to trauma or irritation (blow or pressure on the nail or nail-biting)
• Infections
• Medication
• How to recognise a fungal nail The difference between a fungal nail and healthy nails is often easy to recognise. This is often seen as a thickened nail that is discoloured (yellow/brownish) and brittle. This latter often leads to crumbling of the nail, resulting in a painful inflammation which can then lead to a loose skin or a detaching nail. Treating a fungal nail A fungal nail is often persistent, if you want to treat it, you must prepare yourself for a long process. Once started, you should not interrupt the treatment as this will prolong the healing process. A treatment often takes about 8 weeks to a year before your nails are healthy again. Treating the top nail plate If the fungi have not yet advanced, you can suffice with a treatment of the top nail plate. This is only possible if the fungi are only superficial. You can do this with an ointment, spray, anti-fungal nail polish or a laser treatment
  • An anti-fungal ointment can only treat the top nail plate and is therefore only useful for an early-stage fungal nail.
  • An anti-fungal nail polish works in the same way as an ointment, but can be applied more precisely.
  • Extra tip: File away the top layer of the nail every week. The ointment or nail polish can penetrate deeper into the nail.
  • Thymol (thyme extract) has antibacterial, antiviral, antiseptic, and fungicidal properties. A cotton ball with, for example, Vicks Vaporub can help remove an early-stage fungal nail, but do not expect too much from it.
  • Tea tree oil, thanks to its disinfectant properties.
  • Laser treatment, the heat during the laser treatment renders the fungi harmless.

One of the fastest ways to get rid of your fungal nail is to visit the GP so they can prescribe a course of tablets. This is the most effective way to treat an advanced fungal nail.

This may cause side effects, hence these medicines are only available on prescription and are often used as a last resort

Have you completed a course of treatment for fungal nail/ Then still have your feet checked by a pedicurist or a medical specialist to see if the infection has really been resolved

Yes, a fungal nail is contagious: you can catch it from someone else and you can infect another person with it.

This is because the fungus is also in the nail or skin. These can shed flakes that spread via the floor of a sports or shower room, such as that of a swimming pool.

Nail fungus caused by fungal infection cannot heal on its own. So "prevention is better than cure".

• Keep your feet dry! Moisture and warmth create a breeding ground for fungi.
• Do you often suffer from sweaty feet? Then use PediSpray® antiperspirant
• Disinfect your shoes with PediFris® shoe powder
• Choose suitable footwear (not tight) and change frequently.
• Wear clean cotton socks every day.
• Wear slippers in swimming pools or saunas and avoid damp places as much as possible
• If possible, walk barefoot frequently so your skin can breathe.
• Use a pH-neutral soap and wash your feet thoroughly.
• Keep your nails short.
• Trim deformed or thickened nails with pumice stone or a file.
• Disinfect a nail clipper before and after use

Maintain your feet regularly and have them inspected and treated by a (medical) pedicurist. This prevents many foot problems or nips them in the bud in time.

Try to walk barefoot as much as possible. Feet that can breathe a lot are less susceptible to fungi and bacteria. This also prevents unpleasant odours.

However, make sure to wear slippers in public spaces so that you do not have direct contact with the floor.

Sweaty feet play an important role in the development of fungal nails

preventing and treating fungal nails