"Nail rot" and "toenail rot" are common colloquial names for a fungal infection of the nails and is more properly known as onychomycosis. Nail rot is a condition that is found throughout the world, although it is most common in areas with hot, humid climates. It is more common in patients who participate in athletic activities and those with compromised immune systems than it is in the general population. Its prevalence also increases with the age of patients. Toenail rot can be treated using topical medications, oral medications, surgery, or a combination of these. Treatment is not always successful and recurrence of the infection is common.
Toenail Rot Symptoms
Symptoms of onychomycosis include thickening, discoloration, and soreness of the nails. At its early stages, the infection can cause minor discoloration of a portion of the nail which can eventually spread to include the entire nail. Coloration can range from white to yellow to black. Thickening of the nails can also be accompanied by embrittlement and separation from the nail bed. Nail rot is more commonly found in toenails rather than fingernails, although it can occur in both. In more advanced cases, sensitivity or soreness in the infected nails can impair physical activity. Patients with unsightly nails due to nail rot may also suffer emotionally.
Nail Rot Prevention and Treatment
Onychomycosis thrives in warm, humid environments, so one way to prevent infection is to wear loose, well-ventilated footwear or to go barefoot as much as possible. Avoiding contact with surfaces in environments such as locker rooms and public showers that may be host to the fungus that causes nail rot is also advisable.
For early stage cases of onychomycosis, there are various home remedies that may prove effective in controlling the infection. Many such remedies can be found described in materials on the internet, both for sale as e-books and at no cost on some websites. There is little clinical data to support the efficacy of these programs, but it may be worth trying them out before undergoing more expensive and invasive treatments.
There are topical medications available by prescription for treatment of onychomycosis. These are effective in some cases, especially at the early stages of the infections. One difficulty with purely topical treatments is that the fungal infection often lives beneath or inside the nail where the drug cannot be absorbed.
Prescription oral medications are available which require a long course of treatment to be effective. These drugs can have serious side effects, including liver involvement, so their use should be monitored carefully. The most effective course of treatment includes a combination of topical and oral medications used long enough for the fungus to be completely eradicated. Even after such a course of treatment, recurrence of the infection is not uncommon.
The most serious infections may have to be treated by surgical removal of the infected nails, in combination with oral and topical therapies.
For any stage of a nail rot infection, a patient should consult with a qualified dermatologist or podiatrist in order to determine the best course of treatment. Every patient is unique and different approaches may work better for some patients than others. Onychomycosis is easier to treat early, so consultation with a physician should not be delayed.
References:
emedicine.medscape.com, "Onychomycosis" (accessed March 24, 2010)
dermnet.org.nz, "Fungal Nail Infections" (accessed March 24, 2010)
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John Erwin - I am an engineer by education, but I love wandering in the mountains and have a special interest in Colorado history.
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