Zephyrhills Podiatrist reveals a connection between Nail Infection and Diabetic Feet

At the Gentle Foot Care Clinic in Zephyrhills, Dr. Rajnish Manohar sees patients with a variety of conditions. People who are diabetic are at higher risk than normal people for conditions like nail infection, and there’s one type of nail infection that you should be aware of.

What does this mean for Individuals With Diabetes?

The fungal infection called onychomycosis is the most typical nail infection, representing around 50 percent of all nail issues. Onychomycosis leads to thick, brittle nails that can be sharp and pointed, causing injury to the surrounding skin.

A projected 30 million people in the United States deal with onychomycosis. – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

According to the November 2000 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, onychomycosis is also the most typical nail condition among people with diabetes, representing about 30 percent of cutaneous fungal infections. One research released in the October 1998 issue of the British Journal of Dermatology, including 550 people with diabetes, found that 26 percent of patients had onychomycosis and 46 percent had problems in their nails.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes and have sensory neuropathy and impaired blood circulation, some of the much lower extremities are at additional danger for onychomycosis. If you have diabetes and neuropathy, you might not notice small cuts and breaks in the skin, which should become entry points for germs. When neglected, these minor infections can escalate into serious secondary bacterial infections that can, in turn, cause foot ulcers and gangrene.

Possible indications of other conditions

Dr. Manohar warns that the existence of the following nail problems might suggest potential medical conditions:

• A fingernail or toe nail that turns red might be an indication that the individual has a fever.
• Nails shaped like the back of a spoon (“clubbing”) might show chronic lung or heart problem, specific forms of cancer, or an enduring infection.
• A purple or black nail could be a sign of congenital heart disease.
• Thick, blemished, flaky or fragile nails generally indicate onychomycosis. Symptoms may likewise consist of build-up of white, yellow or black particles under the nail plate.
• Pale or white nails usually suggest anemia.

How can you treat Onychomycosis?

Onychomycosis can be a significant disorder, however some simple and effective treatments are readily available.

• Dr. Manohar can regularly cut the nails and submit down the nail plate with a surgical burr– a treatment called debridement– has the tendency to lower pain and fungal load, prevent ulceration and at least briefly enhance the nail’s appearance. This procedure can likewise be performed in conjunction with topical and oral antifungal treatments.
• Topical antifungals have typically been unsuccessful in dealing with onychomycosis. However, using the antifungal lacquer ciclopirox for approximately one year can often help reduce the infection.
• The oral antifungal treatment Lamisil (terbinafine hydrochloride tablets) has a treatment rate of about 70 percent, with couple of side effects and very little drug communications. With oral treatments, the patient’s liver function should be monitored for any seldom happening hepatic complications.
• In extreme cases of onychomycosis, the nails might have to be completely gotten rid of and the nail matrix (root) ruined to prevent regrowth.

How can I prevent Onchomycosis?

The first line of defense against onychomycosis are good healthy hygiene habits.

• Individuals with diabetes need to clean and dry their feet thoroughly, wear shoes in any public shower areas and alter socks daily. Nails should be trimmed to the tip of the toe. Shoes must fit loosely.
• Socks made from artificial fibers that “wick” wetness away from the skin are advised for individuals with athletic way of lives.
• It’s best to avoid fake nails because they trap water under the nail, encouraging fungal development. And everyone needs to disinfect house pedicure tools and prevent utilizing nail polish whenever soreness, swelling or other proof of infection exists.
• Avoiding onychomycosis is the best alternative, however fast and efficient treatment is offered if all else fails.

If you suffer from onchomycosis or have diabetes and want to take better care of your feet, please contact Dr. Rajnish Manohar at his Zephyrhills office (813) 782-3233. Alternately, you can submit a request by clicking the button below to schedule an appointment.