These other fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged, as it is easier for the fungus to invade. Candida) and moulds which do not cause athlete’s foot. Less often a nail infection is due to other types of fungi, usually yeasts (e.g. When the fungus spreads to the keratin of the nails, the result is a fungal nail infection.įungi spreading from athlete’s foot (known as ‘dermatophyte fungi’) cause most fungal nail infections. In athlete’s foot the responsible fungus lives in the keratin that makes up the outer layer of the skin. The responsible fungus is usually the same as the one causing athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) – a common infection of the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. It tells you what they are, what causes them, what can be done about them, and where you can find out more information about them.įungal nail infections are also known as dermatophytic onychomycosis, or tinea unguium.
This leaflet has been written to help you understand more about fungal nail infections.
