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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffNail fungal infections can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. They may also lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions.
Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia, AIDS or those who've had an organ transplant. If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. You're also at greater risk for cellulitis, a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.
- Onychomycosis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch125/ch125c.html?qt=nail%20fungus&alt=sh. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Goldstein A, et al. Onychomycosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Nail problems. American Podiatric Medical Association. http://www.apma.org/MainMenu/Foot-Health/FootHealthBrochures/GeneralFootHealthBrochures/NailProblems.aspx. Accessed June 30, 2009.
- Watanabe D, et al. Successful treatment of toenail onychomycosis with photodynamic therapy. Archives of Dermatology. 2008;144:19.
- De Berker D. Fungal nail disease. The New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;360:2108.
- Hinojosa J, et al. Which antifungal is best for toenail onychomycosis? The Journal of Family Practice. 2007;56:581.
