Can pregnancy promote nail fungus?

During pregnancy nail fungus can occur more frequently. This is related to a disturbed drainage of the lymphatic fluid. This favors the smallest skin injuries, through which pathogens can enter and cause the nail fungus.

If additional inappropriate footwear is worn, injuries on the sides of the nails and on the nail fold, which are a good entry point for the fungus, can easily occur. Also an insufficient blood supply of the legs, which can be caused by a predominantly lying pregnancy, favors the occurrence of nail fungus. Pregnancy diabetes can also be associated with an increased risk of developing nail fungus.

Cause

The most common cause of nail mycosis are fungi from the group of dermatophytes, i.e. filamentous fungi. Mostly one gets infected with it in swimming pools or other public facilities. The fungus usually attacks the nail from the spaces between the toes. The nail fungus in pregnancy, then occurs mostly due to the weakened immune defense by the hormone change, or can worsen. Particularly frequently thereby diabetics are generally concerned, these accordingly then only right in the pregnancy.

Symptoms

As a rule, the nail fungus does not cause any complaints even during pregnancy. Usually one notices only a yellowish discoloration of the affected nails. The nail becomes duller and increases in thickness. If the discoloration is more severe, the nails can also become brittle. In addition, an inflammation of the nail bed can develop, which can lead to the complete lifting of the nail.

Diagnosis

The nail fungus is a diagnosis of the eyes. With particularly heavy courses, many unsuccessful treatment attempts or for other reasons, a dermatologist can determine the exact pathogen by taking a sample.

Therapy

In principle the nail fungus is also treated during pregnancy, by applying ointments or nail polishes with antimycotic (fungicidal) active substances. However, as with other complaints, pregnant women should avoid self-therapy without medical indication. If the pregnancy is already more advanced, it may also be considered to start therapy only after delivery.The use of local remedies, especially with the active ingredients Ciclopirox, Amorolfin (e.g.

as Amorocutan®) and Bifonazole (e.g. in Canesten®) is considered safe during pregnancy. As mentioned above, the fact that these products are often not officially approved for pregnancy has other reasons. Clotrimazole and miconazole can also be used in pregnancy and lactation in principle.

Since the active ingredient is applied locally to the nail, and from there has hardly any possibility to enter the bloodstream, this local application is safe. As a supplementary measure to contain the nail fungus, professional foot care can help. Here the affected material is removed by milling and grinding, thus improving the effect of subsequently applied products.

In the case of non-pregnant women, these active ingredients are also used as tablets for very severe infections. However, these systemic remedies should not be taken during pregnancy, as damage to the child cannot be ruled out. In general, the treatment of nail fungus is a lengthy process that can take quite a while.

A therapy can take a few months, but you should always treat an existing athlete’s foot. Especially with nail fungus in pregnancy, many try it first with home remedies. Mostly, remedies are used, which are said to have an antiviral or general antimicrobial effect.

To these means belong alcohol, toothpaste, vinegar or tea tree oil. However, the effect of these agents is more than questionable. It is true that the antimicrobial properties of some of these substances can even be proven in the laboratory, as is the case with tea tree oil.

However, the effect is much too weak to achieve an effect under real conditions. In the best case, as with sage or oak bark, the growth can be somewhat curbed. These household remedies also have the disadvantage that they can lead to allergies and irritations in the area of the nail bed, and thus rather aggravate the problem.

Besides also the systemic admission of tea tree oil, in the pregnancy is considered as problematic. It is not to be counted also with the tea tree oil, that it arrives from the nail into the bloodstream, but altogether one should fall back with same risk probably rather to more effective means. Many people resort to vinegar when treating a nail fungus, as this is an inexpensive and easily available household remedy.

However, vinegar is not effective in treating nail fungus and cannot achieve a cure. Rather, the acid can lead to skin irritation of the skin already damaged by the fungus. A correct therapy with an antimycotic which kills the fungus is often delayed.

Especially during pregnancy a nail fungus should be treated quickly and effectively. It is an initially harmless infection, but if not treated, it can lead to complications. Especially systemic infections, such as erysipelas, are very dangerous for mother and child, especially during pregnancy.