"Nail fungus is more than a cosmetic problem"

Luise Heine has been an editor at since 2012. The qualified biologist studied in Regensburg and Brisbane (Australia) and gained experience as a journalist in television, in the Ratgeber-Verlag and in a print magazine. In addition to her work at , she also writes for children, for example for the Stuttgarter Kinderzeitung, and has her own breakfast blog, “Kuchen zum Frühstück”.

More posts by Luise Heine All content is checked by medical journalists.

When was the last time you checked your nails? Around one in ten people in Germany has unwanted lodgers there: nail fungus. Not only are they an aesthetic impairment, the fungi can also be dangerous. The best way to combat the fungus, explains Dr. Sylvia Proske * in a interview.

Miss Dr. Proske, how do you get fungi in your nails?

Fungi multiply via spores. If they find an entry point on the feet or nails, a foot or nail fungus develops.

Does this have to do with poor hygiene?

No, nail fungus or athlete's foot are not the result of poor hygiene. Mushrooms feel good in a warm, humid environment - for example between the toes. If someone often has sweaty feet or incorrect footwear or has a tendency to dry, cracked skin, they are more susceptible to the pathogen. Because then the protective skin barrier is damaged and the fungi can penetrate more easily.

How do you notice a nail fungus?

One should be careful if the nails thicken in places or become yellowish, crumbly. Usually the first spots appear on the outer edge of the nail and then migrate further inward as the infestation increases. So take a regular check on your nails - for example when showering or bathing.

Does nail fungus go away on its own?

No - the spores get stuck in the nail, where they are well protected from external influences - such as water and soap. As long as you have the nail, you also have the nail fungus. It can multiply there and also attack other nails. In the worst case, the destroyed nails are a gateway for bacteria, which in turn can cause a sore throat. The patient is also contagious to others. If you think you've discovered something, see a doctor and don't shrug it off as a cosmetic problem.

It always has to be a doctor - can't you just treat yourself with tea tree oil or vinegar?

From my medical point of view, tea tree oil or the like is not enough to get rid of the nail fungus. He's really very persistent.

What help then?

That depends on the extent of the infestation. If there is only a small corner of the nail, it is usually sufficient to treat it only superficially. We call this topical therapy. This means that an anti-fungal agent is regularly applied in the form of a special nail varnish.

When is the superficial treatment no longer sufficient?

When more than a quarter of the nail is affected. Then you have to take action against the fungus from within, as part of a so-called systemic therapy. This means that patients are given tablets that they should take at intervals. That is, you take the capsules for a week, then you take a three-week break, and so on.

That sounds very tedious.

Many are also shocked by how long such nail fungus therapy can take. Because you deal with it quickly, it comes back quickly - but getting rid of it can take up to a year. It takes patience. But there is also an option that can shorten the treatment time.

Which?

The laser therapy. A laser beam is used to destroy the fungi that are embedded in the nail. However, the laser systems also have a small disadvantage - they only remove the fungi in the nail, not in the surrounding skin. Usually there are also pathogens or at least spores from them. Part of this athlete's foot is also visible: the skin is dry and flaky. If you only laser, you can easily get infected again.

And how can you prevent that?

By combining laser therapy with topical or even systemic therapy. In this way, the duration of treatment can often be reduced from up to a year to a few months.

What can you do to avoid getting nail fungus in the first place?

It is important that your feet are not damp - so it is best to wear breathable footwear. And: Always dry your feet thoroughly after showering or bathing. If your shoes get damp during exercise, for example, you can dry them with a hairdryer. In public wet areas or hotel rooms, it is also a good idea to wear your own slippers or slippers - this will protect your feet and nails from fungal spores or flakes of skin that may be lying around there.

* Dr. Sylvia Proske is the head of dermatology and aesthetic medicine at the Ethianum Heidelberg

Tags:  prevention sleep vaccinations