Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Coping
Tinea unguiumis a fungalnail infectionthat most commonly affects the toenails. The condition impacts up to 14% of the population.
Like otherfungal infections, fungi, which enter the skin through cracks in your nail and surrounding skin, cause tinea unguium.
This article explains the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea unguium.
Manuel Faba Ortega/ Getty Images
Types of Foot Fungus and Bacterial Infections
Tinea Unguium Symptoms
Initially, nail fungus is painless; however, if left untreated, it can lead to pain, especially when you wear shoes. Instead, you may notice the followingtinea unguium symptoms:
Fungal nail infections commonly occur with fungal skin infections, likeathlete’s footorringworm.If you have one of these conditions, pay close attention to the surrounding skin or nails.
A fungus causes tinea unguium infections. While anyone can get afungal nail infection, some people are more likely to acquire an infection, including those with:
Toenail fungus incidence increases with age. Children are the least affected, with 0.6% of kids under 18 having tinea unguium. On the other hand, around 10% to 20% of adults and 15% to 40% of older people experience the condition.
Nail fungal treatmentmay involve topical treatments, medications, or nail removal. Some people use natural remedies. However, they are usually ineffective for nail fungus.
Topicals
Topical nail fungus treatmentsare antifungal medications that are applied to the nail. These medications include:
Antifungal Pills
Oral medications orally are reserved for more severe cases of nail fungal infections. Treatment usually lasts three months. Antifungal medication pills include:
These medications have some serious risks and side effects, including liver injury.Some providers may take blood work before and during treatment. Discussing these medications with a healthcare provider and following their instructions carefully is important.
Nail Removal
Laser Therapy
Laser treatmentuses heat-producing energy to kill nail fungus. This treatment is sometimes combined with other treatments, like topical antifungals. Laser treatment may be a good alternative for those who can’t tolerate stronger medications.
Natural Remedies
Somenatural remediesfor treating superficial or minimal nail fungal infections include essential oils, like tea tree and clove, and apple cider vinegar. While proponents tout the antifungal properties of these products, there is little evidence to support their use.
You can’t always prevent a fungal nail infection, but there are some precautions you can take to lessen the likelihood of contracting tinea unguium. Prevention strategies include:
If you’ve just recovered from a bout of nail fungus, remove or disinfect the footwear you wore before treatment. The fungus can live in shoes, boots, and slippers and reinfect you after you heal.
Fungal nail infections require a lengthy treatment—sometimes for a year. Even after completing treatment, many people find themselves susceptible to reinfection.Some people struggle with feeling self-conscious about the appearance of their nails.
To cope with tinea unguium, try the following:
Additionally, as soon as you suspect a nail fungal infection, see a healthcare provider immediately for treatment. This gives you the greatest chance to catch it early and speed healing.
Summary
Nail fungus is notoriously difficult to treat, and treatment may last months or as long as a year. Topical or oral antifungals are standard treatment methods, but laser therapy or nail removal may sometimes be warranted.
A Word From Verywell
People with nail fungus may feel embarrassed about the way their nails look. However, many people experience tinea unguium at some point in their lives, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Experiment with wearing a variety of fun socks, which may not only boost your mood but also help keep your feet clean and dry.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Signs and symptoms.Elewski BE, Tosti A.Risk factors and comorbidities for onychomycosis: Implications for treatment with topical therapy.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(11):38-42.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Gadour E, Kotb A.Systematic review of antifungal-induced acute liver failure.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18940. Published 2021 Oct 21. doi:10.7759/cureus.18940American Academy of Dermatology Association.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.Ghannoum M, Isham N.Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): a never-ending story?.PLoS Pathog. 2014;10(6):e1004105. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004105
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Signs and symptoms.Elewski BE, Tosti A.Risk factors and comorbidities for onychomycosis: Implications for treatment with topical therapy.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(11):38-42.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Gadour E, Kotb A.Systematic review of antifungal-induced acute liver failure.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18940. Published 2021 Oct 21. doi:10.7759/cureus.18940American Academy of Dermatology Association.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.Ghannoum M, Isham N.Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): a never-ending story?.PLoS Pathog. 2014;10(6):e1004105. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004105
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Signs and symptoms.Elewski BE, Tosti A.Risk factors and comorbidities for onychomycosis: Implications for treatment with topical therapy.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(11):38-42.Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.Gadour E, Kotb A.Systematic review of antifungal-induced acute liver failure.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18940. Published 2021 Oct 21. doi:10.7759/cureus.18940American Academy of Dermatology Association.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.Ghannoum M, Isham N.Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): a never-ending story?.PLoS Pathog. 2014;10(6):e1004105. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004105
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Fungal nail infections.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Signs and symptoms.
Elewski BE, Tosti A.Risk factors and comorbidities for onychomycosis: Implications for treatment with topical therapy.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2015;8(11):38-42.
Muth CC.Fungal nail infection.JAMA. 2017;317(5):546. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.20617
American Association of Dermatology Association.Nail fungus: Diagnosis and treatment.
Gadour E, Kotb A.Systematic review of antifungal-induced acute liver failure.Cureus. 2021;13(10):e18940. Published 2021 Oct 21. doi:10.7759/cureus.18940
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Twelve ways to prevent another nail infection.
Ghannoum M, Isham N.Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis): a never-ending story?.PLoS Pathog. 2014;10(6):e1004105. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1004105
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