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:

How can you treat Onychomycosis?

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

How can I prevent Onchomycosis?

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

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.

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