Every diabetic who has a gray finger/toenail must see a doctor because diabetics can get serious infections from it!
Q: What is a gray finger/toenail?
Fungus is a pathogen that often co-exists with bacteria and multiplies in warm, moist environments and can affect any part of the body. Fungal infections of the toenails, also known as gray toenails, tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot, are a common problem that affects people of all ages, more men than women, adults for children (more common in the elderly), and family members can infect each other. Ringworm, tinea pedis, and other ringworm diseases can cause gray toenails. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) data shows that gray toenails are far more common than gray nails because the toes are always inside warm, moist shoes.
Q: What are the clinical manifestations?
The fungus often begins under the nail fold at the end of one or several finger/toenails with small white or yellow dots; over time, it migrates under the nail and the finger/toenail becomes yellow or brown, thickened and misshapen, with hairy edges, but usually does not affect all of the finger/toenail:.
1. Thickening of the tissue under the nail, known as hyperkeratosis
2. White or yellow streaks on the nail, known as lateral onychomycosis
3. Fragile nail corners or tips, called distal nail fungus
4, The nail surface has peeling white areas with pits
5, nail heel with yellowish appearance, called proximal nail fungus
6.Nail peeling
7. There is an odor at the nail
Q: What complications can arise?
1. Infection reignites
2.Permanent infection
3. Discoloration of the infected finger/toe nail
4. Infection spreads to other parts of the body, even to the blood
5. Combined skin infection, i.e. cellulitis
Q: What risk factors are present?
1, Diabetes mellitus
2.Poor vascular circulation in the lower extremities
3.Over 65 years old
4. Wearing artificial finger/toe nails
5.Swimming in public baths
6.Injury to finger/toenail
7, perinail skin damage
8.Fingers/toes in a wet environment for too long
9.Low immune system function
10.Wearing tennis shoes or boots and other shoes with tightly wrapped fingers/toes
Q: How is the diagnosis made?
Because other infections can also affect the nail and produce symptoms that mimic fungal nail infections, the only way to confirm the diagnosis is to see a doctor. A portion of the nail is scraped out and a microscope is used to look for signs of fungus, and sometimes a sample is sent to a lab for analysis and identification.
Q: How do I proceed with treatment?
If the gray finger/toe nail is not severe, treatment may be withheld. However, if there is pain at the gray nail or if the finger/toenail has thickened, treatment is needed.
1. Over-the-counter medications, such as various creams, are usually not recommended (because the efficacy is not reliable)
2. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as
Terbinafine (Lamictal)
Itraconazole (Spironol)
fluconazole (Daflucan)
ashwagandin (Gris-Peg)
3. Other antifungal treatments, such as antifungal nail polish or topical solutions, are usually ineffective
4.Treat until new finger/toenail grows and no infection exists
5. In severe cases, finger/toe nails should be removed directly.
Treatment does not guarantee complete removal of the fungal infection and almost half of the cases will recur; complications of fungal infection may also occur.
Q: How to do prevention?
Simple lifestyle changes.
1. Carefully repair finger/toenails during the day to keep them clean to prevent infection
2. Avoid skin damage around finger/toenails
3. If your hands are wet, you should wear rubber gloves
4. Mayo Clinic still recommends regular use of antifungal sprays or powders
5.Wash your hands after coming in contact with fungal infections.
6.After washing your feet, dry them, especially between the fingers/toes
7.Find a credible medical institution for foot care or trimming
8.Use your own tools when trimming
9.Wear socks
10.Avoid bare feet in public places
11. Try not to use artificial finger/toe nails or finger/toe nail polish.
Important Tip.
If you go to a pedicure or beauty store to get your nails cut or cared for, be sure to ask the staff there in advance how the tools are sterilized? How often are they disinfected? Non-sterilized or insufficiently sterilized files and nail clippers can cause fungal infections!