MICRO-TRAUMA INCREASES RISK FOR ONYCHOMYCOSIS

A fungal infection that Emily Splichal, DPM describes as a yellowing on the nail, or a pattern you don’t recognize should be diagnosed. “Many people see white and think it’s fungus, but it tends to be more yellow. What predisposes you to fungus is an injury to the nail,” says Dr. Splichal. “For example, if you often wear heels that squeeze your toes, and your foot is at an angle so you’re also sliding into the nails, it will create micro-trauma that can increase risk for infection. It’s also common for fungus to spread to other toenails.”

 

Dr. Emily Splichal

 

Dr. Splichal says the fungus sits under the nail plate—it’s not in the nail itself—so it can be very difficult to treat. “I’d compare it to mold in carpet—it’s really tough to get rid of—so you have to be really persistent. Most over-the-counter nail fungus medications cannot penetrate nail polish, so you’d need to take a nail polish ‘holiday’ to treat it, and even then, they may not work. Some doctors will use lasers, but I’ve always had mixed results. Therefore, I prefer to treat the fungus systemically with antifungal oral medications.”

 

Source: Brittany Burhop Fallon, New Beauty [7/4/23]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News