What is Fungal Nail Infection?

• Fungal infection of the nail is more common in people with diabetes. It can present in toenails and fingernails, affecting more than one nail.
• Fungal infection can start at one part of the nail. It often spreads and infects other parts of the nails, making the nail discoloured (white, yellow, green or black).
• The infected nail may become brittle and sometimes thickened. At times, pieces of the nail may break off or the whole nail lifts off. This may cause pain and swelling in the skin around the nail.
• It also increases the risk of fungal infection to the surrounding skin, which can lead to secondary bacterial infection.

What increases the chances of getting fungal nail infection?

• Fungus like to grow in warm and moist environment. This can affect people who perspire a lot or use damp socks

• Having fungal skin infection increases the risk of getting fungal nail infection

• Trauma to toe nails or coming into contact with someone who has fungal toenail and / or skin infection through the sharing of communal shower or during footwear fitting

• Medical conditions or medications that affect the skin or weaken the immune system including poorly controlled diabetes

• Other factors such as smoking and advanced age