Fungal Infections of the Nails

Fungi are living organisms that grow in warm, moist places. Similar to other small organisms such as bacteria, they can cause infections in humans. A commonly seen condition caused by fungi is called fungal nail infections. These occur primarily on the nails of the hands and feet. Fungus can enter the skin through small cuts and exposure through walking barefoot, public showers, or sharing personal items with someone who may already be infected. Nail fungal infections will appear as white or yellow spots or streaks on the nails and the color will darken or deepen as the infections progresses. They can cause peeling and thickening of the nails and separation of the nail from the skin.

Prescription oral medications are the most effective treatments for fungal nail infections. Terbinafine (Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflu-can), and griseofulvin (Grifulvin) kill or stop the growth of different types of fungi. For those who are unable to tolerate oral antifungal medications due to side effects or interactions with other medications, they may be prescribed a drug called ciclopirox (Penlac). This antifungal comes as a solution that is applied like nail polish to the affected nails. However, in general, topical medications may only treat mild cases.








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