Fungal Toenails

Onychomycosis, or tinea unguium is an athletes infection of the toenails. This infection happens, when there is an overgrowth of microorganisms beyond what is normally found is a certain area. The fungal microorganisms, also caused dermatophytes which most commonly infect toenails causing fungal nails or tinea unguium are: Trichophyton Rubrum, and Trichophyton Mentagrophytes. These strains of fungus attack the matrix, the area near the cuticle where the nail grows. When the matrix becomes infected it causes the nail plate to appear diseased and dystrophic. This gives the appearance of thick, yellow, and painful fungal nails.

Onychomycosis fungal nail infections most commonly affects the great toenails, but it can be found on any and all toenails. It is contagious and can spread from toe to toe and person to person via contact. Sharing shoes, shower, walking barefoot around public pools, gyms, and nail salons are just a few common ways this infection is contracted. Family members often spread it to each other as well.

Very often athlete’s foot infection or tinea pedis is also present on the foot, either the bottom or between the toes. The fungal infection of nails and skin are usually the same organism. Studies have shown, that tinea infections elsewhere in the body, often stem from fungal toenails acting as a reservoir for the organism. This infection less commonly affect fingernails of the hand. This is thought to be because fingers are almost always exposed to air, have larger blood vessel and are closer to the heart. Toes, on the other hand, have smaller blood vessels, which are further away from the heart thereby decreasing the amount of circulation and they almost always live in a sock and shoes, creating a dark, warm, moist environment; perfect for colonization and infection of fungus.

Infection happens after contact especially if skin has microtears, or if there is injury to the nail plate. Loosening of nail plate allows this infection to penetrate and start to cause unsightly damage. There is also evidence that tinea unguium has a genetic predisposition. People with a family history of onychomycosis may also be more susceptible to contracting it.

Not every nail that appears abnormal is fungal, however. Sometimes, nail trauma, can cause a condition called onycholysis. This is a condition which can mimic fungal nails in appearance but it’s not a contagious infection. Instead this is a damage from injury, or microtrauma of long toenails pushing into tight or loose shoes.
Even though it is a contagious infection and is not considered cosmetic, fungal nails not thought to be a dangerous condition. However, patients with diabetes and poor circulation should have nail fungus professionally managed and treated by their podiatrist. This patient population can suffer from limb threatening infections if fungal infections cause opening for bacterial infections to invades toes and feet. Eastern medicine may suggest that fungal infections in the toenails could represent a larger fungal infection within the body, perhaps the gut. There is an increased fungal infection in patients who are elderly, diabetic and are immunocompromised.