Fingernail Infection or Injury

Fingernail Infections or Injuries

Minor fingernail injuries and infections are common problems that affect most people at some point in their lives. These ailments can range from splitting, brittle nails, to ingrown nails to fungal infections, and may be caused by trauma, poor hygiene, disease or heredity.

Causes and Symptoms of Fingernail Infections

Many fingernail infections are caused by fungi, which are normally present in the human body. Nail infections are often seen in people who frequent public pools, gyms, showers and people who sweat frequently. Symptoms of fingernail infections usually involve a visual change to the nail and may include:

• Brittleness, splitting, or cracking of nail
• Thickening of the fingernail
• Crumbling at the outside edges of nail
• Change in the shape of the nail
• Loosening or lifting up of the nail
• Yellowing or other discoloration
• Treatment of Fingernail Infections

Over-the-counter treatments generally do not help clear up fingernail infections, as they often require prescription-strength antifungal medication, often taken orally. In some cases, a physician may remove the nail. Once the fungus is cleared up the nail will need to regrow in order to replace the damaged material. Because nails grow slowly a new, cleaner nail may take up to a year to grow back.

Treatment of Ingrown Fingernails

Ingrown nails can quickly go from a minor irritant to a health risk, especially when the nail is cutting into the skin, as there is a danger of infection. Chronic ingrown nails can be treated by cutting back the nail and applying a substance to inhibit future nail growth.

If you are suffering from ingrown nails or extreme changes in one or more fingernails, contact Dr. Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of fingernail conditions.

Macomb County Fingernail Infection & Injury Doctor: 586.532.0803