Onychomycosis is the term for fungal nail infection which often causes thickening and discolouration of the nail plate. Often callous (dead skin) breaks down and builds up beneath the nail plate.
Sometimes the nail will even change shape and become thickened. Of all the different conditions of fungal infection of the body, nail infections are the most difficult to treat.
Fungi thrive in warm, moist places (such as our shoes). It usually starts at the end of the nail plate and continues to spread under the nail. Sometimes chalky, white plaques develop on the nail and as the infection progresses yellow and brown pigmentation can be visible.
Fungal nail treatments are fungi-static in action meaning it does not actually kill the fungus, only prevent it from growing any further. It is for this reason, it takes at least 12 months of continued treatment for a completely healthy nail to be regrown and the infection to clear.
Your Podiatrist can help with the treatment of fungal nails through thinning and/or removal of the affected nail plate in order to allow better penetration of specialised fungal nail treatments to the affected nail bed.