How do I know if my nail injury is serious? Will a broken nail heal itself? Are toenail injuries serious? How common are nail injuries?
We all have experienced that stubbing of the toe or chipping off that finger nail that gives intense pain for the initial few seconds or minutes. These are very common injuries and in most cases are not serious. In fact even if you have broken toenail or fingernails or bleeding, you can still take self care at home.
But, if the pain sustains beyond the initial few minutes, you see an increase in bruising or the pain radiating to other parts of the feet, then this might be a more serious condition which you must show to a doctor.
In most cases the injury heals by itself and you might need self care and dressing at home. In some cases if the nail has broken or come off, dressing the wound correctly at home is very important. A doctor’s attention is needed only in cases of infection or fracture.
What are common nail infections? How common are nail fungus infections? Which are the most common sites? What are 3 signs of a fungal nail infection?
Onchomycosis (oncho=nail, mycosis=fungus), a type of fungal infection, is the most common type of nail infection and affects 10-20% of adults, especially the elderly. Onchomycosis is when fungal infection called dermatophytes, yeasts or molds enter the nail through injury. The chances of this infection increase in conditions with compromised immune systems like diabetes, HIV, etc. But injury is a prerequisite for these fungi to gain access to the nail and its surrounding structures.
Toenails are more susceptible to this infection as they grow slowly, and are more likely to have moisture and warmth.
In onchomycosis / nail infections the nail can become discolored, brittle and distorted. It may also cause swelling in the surrounding tissue. The stages of this infection are as follows:
- White or Yellow Discoloration: The nail appears whitish or yellowish due to the growth of fungal hyphae within the nail plate.
- Thickening: The nail may become thicker and more brittle
- Separation from the Nail Bed: The nail may separate from the nail bed, leading to onycholysis
- Brittleness: The nail becomes brittle and prone to breaking or splitting
- Foul Odor: There may be a foul smell emanating from the infected nail
- Scaly Skin: around the nail, particularly if the infection is severe
Will a toe infection heal itself? What happens if nail fungus is left untreated?
Unfortunately No. Nail infections are notorious and do not heal on their own without antifungal treatment. While fungus are not as notoriously resistant to drugs, they do not go away without treatment.
If left untreated it leads to any of the following:
- Permanent damage to the nail with discoloration and shape distortion. Nail could be permanently lost
- Difficulty in treatment and increase in recovery time
- Spread of infection in the surrounding tissue causing severe infections like cellulitis which is a life threatening condition
How long can toenail fungus last?
Toenail fungus can last for several months to several years if left untreated, hence treating them is important.
What worsens toenail fungus?
- Wearing a nail polish as it can trap moisture and reduce fresh air access of the nail
- Unhygienic & moist conditions like unclean socks and shoes
- Cracks and cuts around the infection that can allow the fungus to enter in more areas
- Sharing of personal items such as nail cutters, nail files or socks
- Weakened immune system as seen in diabetics
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