Fungal Nail Infection, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

Fungal nail infection is an infection caused by fungal invasion of the nail structure.
• Fungal nail infections are the most common disease of the nail, making up about 50% of nail abnormalities
• Damage to the nail structure can affect the growth, shape, size of the nail
• Fungal nail infections can affect both the fingernails and the toenails, but the toenails are more susceptible to an infection because the toe has less blood flow than the fingers, making it harder for the body to pick up on and prevent infection. The toenails are also more commonly affected because fungus thrives in dark, warm places.
• Fungal nail infections can develop in people of any age but it is more prevalent in older adults. As the nails age, it can become brittle, dry, and crack, allowing fungi to enter.
• In severe cases, fungal nail infection can cause permanent damage to the nails and may lead to other serious infections that spread beyond the feet, this is usually common in people with a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions
CAUSES
Fungal nail infections are caused by various fungi.
The most common cases are caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes (making up around 85-90% of all cases), such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton violaceum and Trichophyton rubrum (the most common dermatophytes that cause fungal nail infection). Dermatophytes are highly resistant and can survive for long periods in dark and warm environments.
Some yeasts and molds also cause these infections; they include:
Molds – Aspergillus, neoscytalidium, Scopulariopsis, and Acremonium species.
Yeasts – candida species which is responsible for 5-10% of fungal nail infection. This affects fingernails more than toenails.