Like all of the other fungi, fingernail fungus requires an area that is nice and moist and warm in order to thrive. It is actually a fungal infection of the nail bed rather than just fungus that has spread under the nail. You usually get fingernail fungus when there is a cut, scratch, or wound present in the skin that is under your fingernails.


When you are suffering from fingernail fungus you see many of the things that you would in a toenail fungus or when athlete’s foot spreads to underneath a toenail. It usually causes your infected fingernails to become thicker, a little discolored, usually a yellow or brown color, the nails become brittle, and sometimes your nails start crumbling around the edges.



In some cases you may feel pain, burning, and sometimes even itching because of the fingernail fungus. In more severe cases it is even possible for your fingernails to begin to separate from the nail bed, and when it goes untreated they can fall off completely.


Some people are more likely to suffer from fingernail fungus more than others because of things like their immune system not recognizing it or learning to live with it rather than try to fight it. No matter why it is that people suffer from it, it is easier to avoid getting fingernail fungus than it is to treat the fungus.


To help avoid fingernail fungus you should not share things like nail clippers, nail polish, or nail files, you should avoid cutting your nails to short so that you are less likely to cause an injury in the skin underneath the nail, and you should avoid sharing towels and washcloths, especially with people you know are suffering from fingernail fungus.


For treatment of fingernail fungus it is better to go to a doctor to get a pill that will fight the fungus from the inside out. This works better because it is often hard to get cream directly onto the fungus before your nail starts coming loose. Unfortunately some of these medicines take a long time and can cause serious side effect, so talking to your doctor about these and how they are effecting you is the best way to decide what medicine would work best for you.

Tags: Athlete, Fingernail Fungus, Fingernails, Fungal Infection, Fungi, Fungus Nail, Immune System, Long Time, Medicines, Nail Bed, Nail Files, Nail Polish, Nails, Scratch, Toenail Fungus, Towels, Washcloths