Can A Fungal Nail Infection Make You Feel Unwell?

Mar 29, 2018 Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infections make your toes look unsightly especially if you like wearing flip-flops.  Symptoms include the discolouration of nails with a lumpy texture and nail loss.  Infections occur mainly on toenails but also affect fingernails. Lots of people have fungal nail infections because they are easy to catch and take a long time to treat.  Fungal nail infections thrive in damp moist environments like trainers. Infections spread through sharing shoes, towels and nail clippers and not just sitting next to someone with an infection. It takes twelve months to treat a fungal nail infection because we use our hands and feet a lot.  Not treating fungal nail infections lead to athlete's foot and Jock crotch which affects both men and women. Diabetics with fungal nail infections must seek medical advice because complications may arise. Most of the time the infection remains on the nail with very few repercussions.  Cosmetically ragged thick yellow nails are not a good look.

What Causes A Fungal Nail Infection?

Fungal nail infections develop in warm, moist and damp conditions such as sweaty shoes.  They are not contagious but you increase your chances of catching them by wearing other people’s shoes and sharing towels.   The infection develops slowly starting at the edge of the nail and spreading to the entire nail.  It looks like thick yellow concrete which causes the nail to lift off its bed. Eventually, the nail deteriorates causing it to break apart and fall off.  This is painful and unsightly sometimes a doctor removes the entire nail. Antifungal tablets or creams treat infections over a long period of time.  Tablets cause side effects such as; headaches, itching, diarrhoea and loss of taste which makes you feel unwell.  Creams wash off easily so treatment involving a lacquer is the most effective. The lacquer seals the medicine in so that it doesn’t wash off with water and everyday use.

Complications From Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious condition affecting the body’s ability to process sugar.  Type 1 diabetes usually starts in childhood and is an autoimmune disease which requires insulin injections.  Type 2 diabetes usually starts in adulthood and is a result of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. Both restrict the flow of blood to the extremities such as fingers and toes.   Seemingly minor damage causes major problems to your body with diabetes. In this case, fungal nail infections make you feel unwell and require monitoring from your doctor. People with diabetes are prone to catching fungal infections because they are unable to process sugar effectively. Having diabetes increases the chances of having foot sores and infections so it is important that you report a fungal nail infection to your doctor. If you would like to review and purchase treatment for fungal nail infections please click here.