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How can you recognize nail fungus on your finger?
How does fingernail fungus develop?
And above all: how to get rid of fingernail fungus?
I will explain all of this to you here in this article!
Nail fungus (med .: onychomycosis) is a prevalent infection of the nails. The toenails, in particular, are quickly attacked by fungus.
However, the disease occurs on the fingernails all the more rarely.
Proper treatment is even more critical when the fingers are affected by nail fungus than on the feet.
Because the nails are visible in everyday life and cannot easily be hidden like the toes, it can quickly lead to a feeling of shame from the unsightly and unkempt-looking fingernails.
Fingernail fungus pictures: what does fingernail fungus look like
When fungi attack the hands, nail fungus usually forms on the thumb first. However, all other fingers can also be affected.
The symptoms are the same as with toenail fungus.
First, the affected nail loses its shine and becomes dull. After that, the nail will be discolored in white, yellow, or brown.
1st phase: loss of gloss
2nd phase: discoloration
3rd phase: cornification and crumbling of the nail plate
4th phase: lifting the nail plate from the nail bed
5th phase: loss of the nail and inflammation
The fungus continues to work its way through the nail plate to the nail root.
The infected part of the nail becomes keratinized by the nail fungus over time, thickened, and becomes crumbly.
In the worst case, the nail can lift off the nail bed, and the affected person loses the infected nail entirely.
This total loss can lead to severe pain and unpleasant inflammation of the nail bed.
In order not to let things get that far, it is advisable to check your nails regularly.
If you belong to the risk group (more on that later!), Caution is advised.
As soon as a change is noticed, the affected nail should be examined for the fungus by the doctor.
If it is an infection with nail fungus, treatment should be started.
Here are more: Nail Fungus Pictures.
Fingernail Fungus Treatment
Now many sufferers are wondering: How can fingernail fungus be treated?
I want to answer this question for you.
It is essential to know that none of the remedies can promise a safe cure. If treatment does not improve the infection, a doctor should be seen.
First, the affected nail can be treated with a urea ointment.
After that, the anti-fungal nail polish Foot Cure Extra can be used for further treatment.
1st part of the treatment (week 1-2)
2nd part of the treatment (from week 3)
Anyone who suffers from fingernail fungus should keep their nails as short as possible. The diseased part of the nail should be cut off as best you can with nail scissors.
On this page, you will find more information about the treatment of nail fungus:
Anyone who suffers from a pronounced nail fungus on their fingers should consult a doctor.
If more than two nails of the fingers are affected, or more than half of the nail plate is infected, a doctor must treat the disease.
How long does fingernail fungus treatment take?
Treatment for fingernail fungus can take up to 6 months. This is significantly shorter than if the toenails were attacked. For toenail fungus, treating the nail can take up to 12 months.
The reason for this is nail growth.
Fingernails grow much faster than the nails on the toes. As a result, the time it takes for the nail to regrow completely is shorter on the fingers than on the toes.
In some cases, the infection can, unfortunately, persist after treatment. If you cannot remove your nail fungus, you should get medical help.
Can home remedies help with fingernail fungus?
As with nail fungus on the feet, home remedies are often used for fingernail fungus.
In addition to baking powder, garlic, or vinegar, tea tree oil, and lavender oil are also very popular. They are supposed to help against nail fungus and destroy it.
I wrote you a detailed report on the various home remedies for nail fungus.
There you will find all information on the topic.
How does fingernail fungus develop? Causes and risk groups
As with nail mycosis on foot, fingernail fungus is mainly caused by dermatophytes (thread fungi). In addition, yeasts or molds can also trigger fingernail fungus.
Fungi love it moist and warm, which is why the feet are affected in 80% of cases of nail fungus. In tight shoes, the feet start to sweat easily and are warm. The skin fungi like that very much.
However, there are also a few reasons that specifically favor fingernail fungus:
- Nail fungus on the foot
- Untreated fungus of the skin (e.g., athlete’s foot)
- Weak immune system
- Taking medication (e.g., immunosuppressants)
- chemotherapy
- Gel nails
- Acetone-based nail polish remover
- Nail-biting (injuries)
- Incorrect nail care
People who suffer from athlete’s foot or nail fungus on their toes and do not treat them can spread the infection to their bodies.
It is, therefore, essential to treat both athlete’s foot and nail fungus immediately.
Usually, an intact immune system can fight off the pathogen. However, a weakened immune system is not strong enough.
Malnutrition or an HIV infection causes the body’s immune defenses to suffer. In this way, the fingernail fungus can quickly get stuck.
Those who take immunosuppressants due to autoimmune diseases (e.g., rheumatism) also have an increased risk of developing fingernail fungus.
Chemotherapy sometimes resulting in brittle and brittle nails. The nails can even come off. Because the body’s immune system is attacked even during chemotherapy, the fungi have an easy time.
Gel nails are attached to the pin with a unique adhesive. Tiny bubbles form in this adhesive, which is the ideal place for nail fungus.
The longer the gel nails exist, the more pathogens, such as fungi or bacteria, spread in the blisters. Under certain circumstances, this can lead to nail fungus.
If the artificial gel is then removed, your natural nail plate is usually injured. This makes the nail thin and susceptible to infection.
Nail polish remover containing acetone allows the nails and the surrounding cuticles to dry out. This can lead to cracks and minor injuries. A wound gives the pathogen the optimal entry point.
Those who bite their nails not only suffer from unsightly-looking hands. By chewing the fingernails and possibly also the skin, minor wounds develop, in which the fungus can settle quickly.
So it is easy for the nail fungus to attack the fingernails.
The same applies to incorrect nail care. Anyone who injures the cuticle with the wrong manicure causes wounds that take advantage of fungal pathogens.
Preventing nail fungus on the finger
With these simple tips, you can avoid the nail fungus on the fingernails:
- Avoid gel nails
- Proper nail care, avoid injuring the cuticle
- Avoid nail biting
- If you suffer from fungal infections of the skin or toenail, wash towels and socks at a temperature of at least 60 ° C
- Use a clean rinse for laundry that cannot be washed at high temperatures.
- Regular inspection of the fingernails, mainly if you belong to a risk group.