How Did I Get A Fungal Nail Infection?

So you’ve read the Top 5 Signs You Might Have Fungal Toenails? Worried you might show one or more signs? Let’s find out more about what it actually a fungal nail infection is and how you maybe caught it.
A fungal toenail infection is called onychomycosis. There are actually two main types of fungal nail infection: 1. Tinea (fungal) dermatophytes and 2. Candida (yeast) infection. Like all types of fungus, nail infections thrive in warm, dark moist environments. So your enclosed socks and shoes are the perfect breeding ground for fungal spores. The fungus feeds on keratin, the hard protein that forms your nail.
Fungal nail infections can be spread through either direct contact with another person with the fungal infection, or also indirectly by coming into contact with the spores in an area that is perfect for fungus, like swimming pool changing areas (which are also perfect for viral infections like verrucas). In Dubai, there are also fungal spores that are harboured particularly in dry, urban sandy areas too explains Chief Podiatrist Michelle Champlin.
“ I see a lot of patients with both fungal nail and skin infections – it’s common to have both together. Lots of patients have tried all sorts of home and over-the-counter remedies with no relief. And over the many years we’ve been seeing patients in Dubai, we are familiar with the more unusual fungal infection and symptoms presented from the sand-borne fungus and have developed a really vigorous treatment plan for getting rid of it from our patients’ nails and feet.”
Here in Dubai, fungal infections are extremely common. In fact, studies have shown that at least 50% of us will have some sort of fungal infection during our lifetime. If you are worried you may have a fungal infection of your foot or toenails, contact Dubai Podiatry Centre on +971 4 3435390 for expert diagnosis and treatment.
Let’s understand what can make you more at risk from catching a fungal infection here and how it can be treated.