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Diseases & conditions
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Molluscum contagiosum: How to safely treat it Both the CDC and the FDA warn against treating this common childhood condition on your own with non-prescription treatments. See what they recommend.
Biosimilars: 14 FAQs Find answers to questions patients ask about this newer treatment option, including, “What’s involved in switching from a biologic to a biosimilar?”
Everyday care
Featured
Practice Safe Sun Everyone's at risk for skin cancer. These dermatologists' tips tell you how to protect your skin.
Relieve uncontrollably itchy skin Find out what may be causing the itch and what can bring relief.
Darker Skin Tones
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Fade dark spots Find out why dark spots appear and what can fade them.
Untreatable razor bumps or acne? If you have what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of your neck or scalp, you may have acne keloidalis nuchae. Find out what can help.
Cosmetic treatments
Featured
Laser hair removal You can expect permanent results in all but one area. Do you know which one?
Scar treatment If you want to diminish a noticeable scar, know these 10 things before having laser treatment.
Botox It can smooth out deep wrinkles and lines, but the results aren’t permanent. Here’s how long botox tends to last.
Public health programs
Featured
Free materials to help raise skin cancer awareness Use these professionally produced online infographics, posters, and videos to help others find and prevent skin cancer.
Dermatologist-approved lesson plans, activities you can use Free to everyone, these materials teach young people about common skin conditions, which can prevent misunderstanding and bullying.
Find a dermatologist
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Find a Dermatologist You can search by location, condition, and procedure to find the dermatologist that’s right for you.
What is a dermatologist? A dermatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in treating the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatologists care for people of all ages.
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. It’s most common in old age and least common in children.
Before the age of 6, it’s 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:
Athlete’s foot (or another skin infection caused by fungus)
Cancer and are receiving chemotherapy
Diabetes
Had a nail infection
Injured a nail or recently had nail surgery
People in your family frequently get nail infections
Poor circulation
Psoriasis
Received an organ transplant
Weakened immune system due to a disease like human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV)
Do you have frequent nail infections?
If you get frequent nail infections, you may have untreated athlete’s 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 causes nail fungus?
Tiny, microscopic organisms called fungi (the plural of fungus) cause a fungal nail infection.
Many people pick up the fungi when they have skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot or ringworm on their hands.
Another common way to get a fungal nail infection is by walking barefoot in a warm, moist area such as a pool deck or locker room. These fungi thrive in warm, moist areas.
You can also get a fungal nail infection by sharing an infected nail clipper or towel.
But you don’t have to catch it from someone. You can get it if your nails are frequently moist or you often wear sweaty socks and shoes.
The fungi usually infect a nail by getting into a:
Small cut in the skin surrounding your nail
Crack in your nail
Separation between the nail and finger (or toe)
The area under a nail gives fungi a warm, moist place to grow. The infection can then spread to other nails and even your skin.
References
Gold LFS and Rosen T. “Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.” Dermatology News (A CME/CE certified supplement). March 2016:2-15.
Verma S and Heffernan MP. “Onychomycosis.” In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine (seventh edition). McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008: 1817-20.
