Can Toenail Fungus Cause Hair Loss

Are There Any Possible Complications

If the infection is not treated and becomes severe, there is a risk of some permanent scarring and patches of hair loss remaining on the scalp even after treatment.

Sometimes the fungal infection beds down deeply into the scalp, which responds by creating a very sore, thick bumpy mass of fungal infection called a kerion. This can look like a cluster of boils and be mistaken for a bacterial infection, when the actual infection is caused by a fungus. Antibiotics will not help for a kerion: you need antifungal tablets like terbinafine or griseofulvin. This image shows a kerion:

Signs And Symptoms Of A Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection may not cause any obvious symptoms at first.

As it progresses, the infection can cause:

• discolouration of the nail it may turn white, black, yellow or green
• thickening and distortion of the nail it may become an unusual shape or texture and be difficult to trim
• pain or discomfort particularly when using or placing pressure on the affected toe or finger
• brittle or crumbly nails pieces may break off and come away completely

Sometimes the skin nearby may also become infected and be itchy and cracked or red and swollen.

How Will I Know If My Hair Loss Is Due To A Fungal Infection

Any professional who has worked in hair care for a reasonable amount of time will undoubtedly be able to recognise the condition upon seeing it. However, fungal infections are a medical concern and so a trip to your GP to be formerly diagnosed is never a wasted journey.

The majority of those who do have a fungal infection on their head are more likely to be suffering from tinea capitis a form of ringworm. While this fungal infection can be passed easily from person to person, those who have suffered from candidiasis the more common yeast infection that leads to thrush of the mouth and groin may find themselves more susceptible that others.

The symptoms of tinea capitis are as follows:

• Mild itching that increases in discomfort as time progresses.
• Small areas of hair loss due to a fungal infection that gradually increases in size.
• Scaling of the skin around hair follicles.
• A bumpy, black-dotted appearance across the hair loss area due to hair shafts that have snapped.
• An accompanying rash, or infection on other areas of the body simultaneously.

Another less common fungal infection that can affect hair loss is piedra or trichomycosis nodularis.

Common in humid countries such as Malaysia and the Southern US, piedra was once widely considered to be an attractive attribute for women. However, severe infections can lead to breakages resulting in hair loss similar to that of tinea capitis.

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Is It Toenail Fungus Or Something Else

Odd-looking toenail? It may be a fungal infection, but there’s a good chance that another condition could be to blame.

If you notice an odd spot on your toenail, you might assume its a fungal infection. However, theres a good chance that its not.

Spots or discolorations on or under a toenail could be bruises resulting from trauma to the nail, blood blisters, warts, or even subungual melanoma, a type of skin cancer, says Ami Sheth, a doctor of podiatric medicine in Los Gatos, California, and a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.

Since nail irregularities can be caused by diseases besides these as well, its best to get it looked at, says Dr. Sheth.

Richard Goad, a doctor of podiatric medicine at Baylor Scott & White Health in Waco, Texas, concurs. Sometimes the nail will be the first place to show another underlying problem, Dr. Goad says.

So is it a fungus, a false alarm, or another condition entirely?

Ugh How Did I Get Scalp Fungus

Sometimes a scalp infection forms on its own because of the conditions on your scalp. Medications, cleanliness, weather, and other elements can all play a role in scalp health. However, scalp fungus can also be spread through outside sources.

Ringworm, or scalp fungus, spread from person to person through touch or sharing towels. It can also spread via animals, as dogs and cats sometimes have fungal infections on their skin. It primarily affects children. The fungi spores can stay alive for a really long time and spread from hairbrushes and even furniture. It is even possible to get fungus because the spores were floating in the air and then landed on your head! Although it is really easy to catch a scalp fungus, it does not affect all people. Some are just carriers of the spores and pass them on to others.

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Fungus Into The Bloodstream

This only happens in a serious stage of toenail fungus, people with very weak immune system and people with HIV/AIDS and Diabetes are known to face this danger. When the fungus enters the deeper skin, causing cellulitis thats when the disesase will enter the bloodstream. If you believe you are experiencing a fungal blood infect, i highly suggest you contact your doctor immediately.

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Who Gets Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is common, and anyone can get it. However, some people have a higher risk of developing a fungal nail infection. Your age, health, and even your lifestyle can increase your risk.

Age. The risk of developing a fungal nail infection increases with age. Its most common in old age and least common in children.

Before the age of 6, its rare to develop a fungal nail infection.

Climate. Living in a hot, humid climate increases the risk of developing a fungal nail infection.

Health. You have an increased risk of developing a fungal nail infection if you have one or more of the following:

• Athletes foot

• Cancer and are receiving chemotherapy

• Diabetes

• Injured a nail or recently had nail surgery

• People in your family frequently get nail infections

• Poor circulation

• Weakened immune system due to a disease like human immunodeficiency syndrome

Do you have frequent nail infections?

If you get frequent nail infections, you may have untreated athletes foot.

Lifestyle. Your risk of getting a fungal nail infection increases if you:

• Have wet feet or hands frequently throughout the day

• Smoke

• Spend a lot of time in water

• Walk barefoot in a hot, humid place like a pool, public shower, or locker room

• Wear tight-fitting, closed-toe shoes, especially if you have sweaty feet

• Wear plastic gloves for hours every day

What Are Tinea Infections

Different fungi, depending on their location on the body, cause ringworm. It is caused by a fungal infectionnot an actual worm. Fungi on the skin, hair, and nail bed are called dermatophytes. Also referred to by healthcare providers as Tinea infections, infection on the scalp, arms, legs, face, and trunk is characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly patches with clearing centers. Tinea infections of the feet, nails, and genital areas are not generally referred to as ringworm, as they may not take on the typical ring shape. There is an increased risk of contracting ringworm and other tinea infections if a person:

• Is malnourished

• Lives in a warm climate

• Has contact with other people or pets that have ringworm

• Is immunocompromised by disease or medicine

• Plays contact sports, such as wrestling

• Uses communal baths or locker rooms

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From Person To Person

• Most cases of scalp ringworm are passed from person to person by touching, sharing towels, etc.
• Some people are just carriers of the fungi. Meaning the fungi on their skin and hair does not cause symptoms or infection. However, they could pass the fungi on to others who then develop symptoms.
• Fungi and their spores can also survive on combs, brushes, unwashed towels, furniture, and sheets for long periods.
• An outbreak of scalp ringworm can occur in schools or families.

What Are The Types Of Ringworm

Ringworm goes by different names based on where it shows up on your body. Ringworm infections include:

• Athletes foot: Also called tinea pedis, this fungal infection causes an itchy, burning skin rash between your toes and on the soles of your feet. Your skin may become scaly and cracked or develop blisters. Sometimes, your feet smell bad.
• Jock itch: Tinea cruris, or jock itch, causes a red, itchy rash in your groin, upper thighs or rectum. Some people get blisters.
• Scalp ringworm: Tinea capitis affects children more than adults. It causes scaly, red, itchy bald spots on the scalp. If left untreated, the bald spots can grow bigger and become permanent.

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What Is Tinea Capitis Or Ringworm And How Does It Cause Hair Loss Due To A Fungal Infection

It is important to mention at this point, that ringworm has nothing to do a worm or any other parasite. The infection is capable of penetrating hair shafts, weakening them and causing them to break off at the surface of the scalp and leave an unsightly aesthetic.

Tinea capitis is merely the name given to the fungal infection known as ringworm when it occurs on the head and scalp. Ringworm can occur anywhere on the body and is mainly transferred from person to person through physical contact. Children are especially susceptible to the condition as they tend to come into close contact with one another more often than adults.

While the most common cause of ringworm worldwide is the growth of the fungus microsporum audouinii, nine out of ten cases in the developed world are caused by the trichophyton genus of fungi, a mold that has numerous family members across the globe.

In the US and Latin American, the prevalent fungus that causes infections is trichophyton tonsurans. In the Middle East, the most common fungus is trichophyton violaceum, while in Europe and Northern Africa, trichophyton schoenleinii and trichophyton megninii are more likely to be the culprits.

About Fungal Nail Infection

Many people develop a fungal nail infection at some point in their life. It’s not usually serious, but can be unpleasant and difficult to treat.

The infection develops slowly and causes the nail to become discoloured, thickened and distorted.

Toenails are more frequently affected than the fingernails.

The medical name for a fungal nail infection is onychomycosis.

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What Causes Scalp Infections / How Do Scalp Infections Happen

The main type of fungal infection on the scalp that can cause hair loss comes from a class of fungi called dermatophytesâwhich cause ringworm. Ringworm is an infection that can develop anywhere on the bodyâitâs also responsible for athleteâs foot and nail fungus. Also known as tinea capitis, ringworm normally starts out looking like a pimple on the scalp and then expands making the skin scaly and red. In fact, ringworm is often confused for dandruff, as the symptoms are similar.

Another form of fungal infection on the scalp is a scalp yeast infection. Yeast infections can form on or in any part of the bodyâ feet and fingernails are common victims. A scalp yeast infection, however, is caused by too much yeast on the scalp. A result of unbalanced conditions on the scalp, some common conditions that contribute to a scalp yeast infection are:

• Unhealthy diet
• Chemicals in hair products

Probiotics Can Boost Hair Growth And Numbers

Probiotics have the power to increase the number of hair that grows as per a study conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Scientists conducted an experiment on two groups of mice where one group was given a probiotic-enriched diet in the form of yogurt, and the other was given a regular diet.

A study was done on mice. It concluded that mice group having a probiotic-enriched yogurt diet got hairy. They showed a dramatic increase in overall body hair. They also had a significant increase in active hair follicles.

Probiotics have been shown to enhance the overall health of hair as well. Hair shine is directly linked to your die. Studies that observe them to have a positive effect on blood pH levels. This thereby results in a healthy shine.

Probiotic suppliments may also work as an inexpensive and highly effective solution to battling dandruff.

A study published in the International Journal of Trichology was interesting. It showed that subjects supplementing their diet with probiotics found a remarkable reduction in symptoms of dandruff, and experienced an accelerated recovery rate of the inflamed skin.

Participants with skin sensitivity and impaired immune system also showed improvements.

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Different Types Of Alopecia

Alopecia is the medical term for hair loss, and there are two main types: alopecia areata and androgenic alopecia. Alopecia may cause hair loss only on the scalp or all over the body. It may result in thinning hair, patches of hair loss, some balding, or total baldness, and it may be permanent or temporary. There are numerous causes, including genetics. Talk to your doctor about possible treatments.

What You Didnt Know About Supplements And Toenail Fungus

July 18, 2017 by Melissa Bell

Toenail fungus can be a persistent and distressing problem. Usually developed by fungi known as dermatophytes, this condition can become painful when not treated immediately. It causes the affected nail to become thick, crusty, distorted, and discolored. In severe cases, the nail may detach from the nail bed. If you have yellow discolored nails, chances are you develop a toenail fungus. Consider a selection of supplements to prevent the infection from aggravating.

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What Are Fungal Infections

The term trichomycoses is used to describe fungal infections in the scalp.

Fungal infections can be caused by yeast and dermatophyte fungi .

They infiltrate the hair shaft, making their way to the cortex which is the innermost part of the hair shaft. As they begin to multiply, they can make their way to the follicle.

In some cases, they can even penetrate the surrounding tissue of the hair follicle causing major issues.

The three most common fungal infections are Malassezia spp. infections, tinea capitis, and piedra.

Conditions That May Look Like Toenail Fungus

Several health conditions can affect the appearance of your toenails and may be mistaken for toenail fungus.

Psoriasis Psoriasis can cause red, scaly patches on the skin. More than half of people with skin psoriasis also have it on their nails. Toenails and fingernails affected by psoriasis may be thick, discolored, crumbly, or loose. Some people will have nail changes with psoriasis, and if it affects the matrix , then these changes are permanent, says Sheth.

Skin Cancer A discolored spot underneath a toenail may be a sign of melanoma, a potentially fatal form of skin cancer. Melanoma under a toenail usually looks like a brown or black streak or may appear similar to a bruise. Although this isnt common, its also not rare, says Sheth. Her advice: Its always good to check it out.

Darier Disease This genetic disorder typically causes yellowish, wartlike blemishes on the body. However, some people with Darier disease also have fingernail or toenail irregularities, such as nails that are marked with red and white streaks, according to Genetics Home Reference. Sheth notes, however, that shes never had a biopsy come back with a diagnosis of Darier disease.

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Treatments For Fungal Nail Infections

Treatment isn’t always needed for a mild fungal nail infection because it’s unlikely to cause any further problems and you may feel it’s not worth treating.

Whether you decide to have treatment or not, you should still practise good foot hygiene to stop the infection getting worse or spreading to others.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you’re bothered by the appearance of the affected nail, or it’s causing problems such as pain and discomfort. They’ll probably recommend:

• antifungal tablets tablets taken once or twice a day for several months
• antifungal nail paints special paints applied directly to the nail over several months
• nail softening kits where a paste is used to soften infected parts of the nail, before they’re removed with a scraping device

A procedure to remove the nail completely may be recommended in severe cases. Laser treatment, where a high-energy laser is used to destroy the fungus, is also an option. But this is only available privately and can be expensive.

You can reduce your risk of developing a fungal nail infection by:

Nail salon equipment can sometimes be the source of fungal nail infections. If you regularly visit a salon, make sure any equipment used is properly sterilised between uses.

How Long Does It Take To See Results From Ciclopirox

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve after using ciclopirox topical cream, gel, lotion, or shampoo. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. To use ciclopirox nail lacquer: Use on the nails and immediately surrounding skin only.

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