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That’s Weird

That’s Weird

That was my first thought when a reader asked me to write about nail fungus and chronic kidney disease. It was something I’d not only never thought about but had never occurred to me might be somehow connected to CKD.

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Surprise! It is. Let’s start exploring it in our usual manner – with a definition. This is from the Mayo Clinic:

“Nail fungus is a common infection of the nail. It begins as a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, the nail may discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Nail fungus can affect several nails.”

This did not sound good at all. How, in heaven’s name, did this happen? WebMD had that topic thoroughly covered:

“You get an infection when a crack in your nail or the skin around it allows fungus to get inside and grow.

Since fungus thrives in dark, warm places, your toenails are more likely to be affected than your fingernails. Your toes also have less blood flow than your fingers, which makes it harder for your body to pick up on and prevent an infection.

You’re more likely to get a fungal nail infection if you:

  • Are a man
  • Are older, since nails become more brittle and likely to crack as you age 
  • Have a weak immune system or ongoing health problems like diabetes
  • Wear shoes that make your feet hot and sweaty
  • Walk barefoot through gym showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms –places where fungus spreads easily 
  • Live with someone who has a fungal infection
  • Have athlete’s foot, as the fungus that causes it can spread to your nails 
  • Recently had an injury or surgery on your nail, or had a previous infection
  • Wear plastic gloves or keep your hands wet for long periods” 

As an older diabetic, I was getting a little bit more nervous the more I researched. I felt I needed to know the symptoms of nail fungus just as much as my reader did. So, I turned to Health.com only to find out there are different types of nail fungus with different symptoms:

“Any toenail fungus causes a range of symptoms, but some of the most common are: …

  • Nail thickening
  • Yellowing, browning, or discoloration
  • Nail crumbling
  • Abnormal or frequent breakage
  • Unusually shaped nails
  • Separation of the nail from the nail bed
  • Pain
  • Odor or bad smell

Different types of infections often cause various symptoms. For example, many mold infections aren’t painful, but yeast infections can be.

And you may notice a dark debris build-up under the nail with distal subungual toenail fungus. On the other hand, you’re more likely to see white spots or patches on the nail’s surface with white superficial toenail fungus….”

I also learned this was not something you could treat by yourself. According to the CDC:

“Fungal nail infections can be difficult to cure, and treatment is most successful when started early. Fungal nail infections typically don’t go away on their own, and the best treatment is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a healthcare professional might remove the nail completely. It can take several months to a year for the infection to go away.

Fungal nail infections can be closely associated with fungal skin infections. If a fungal infection is not treated, it can spread from one place to the other. Patients should discuss all skin concerns with their healthcare provider to ensure that all fungal infections are properly treated.

Even after treatment, fungal nail infections can come back. This is more common in people who have conditions like diabetes that make them more likely to get a fungal nail infection. If you suspect an infection has returned, contact your healthcare provider.”

I was way more than halfway through writing this blog when I realized I hadn’t touched upon CKD’s role in nail fungus. It was time to rectify that. Where better to find this information than the National Nail Fungus Organization:

“Abnormal changes in nails are expected on people who are suffering from chronic kidney disease as their normal diets have also changed. Unless the patients are able to manage or slow down the progress of their kidney disease, their nails are not likely to improve.

Unfortunately, having CKD also makes them susceptible to acquiring nail fungus infection, and the risk increases for older persons and diabetic patients. For people with chronic kidney disease, they have limited options of nail fungus treatment. As their kidneys cannot flush out the toxins and clear the medications off their body, they must obtain their doctors’ approval and prescription for oral fungicidal medications.

They have the option of using topical treatments, though. And depending on the products’ ingredients, topical medications can just be as effective as oral ones without the side effects.”

While this was not exactly what I had been looking for, I deemed it important information for us to know. I also discovered that CKD does have other effects on your nails. I wanted to know why. Reset Kidney Health explained:

“The kidneys act as a filtration system, ridding our body of waste and delivering essential nutrients into our bloodstream. Unfortunately, as kidney disease progresses and function decreases, toxic substances will build up in our bloodstream and cause our nails to change color, form, and texture. High levels of nitrogen in the bloodstream often cause these physical changes.

Sometimes, chronic kidney disease sufferers will be placed on diets meant to slow the progression of the disease by limiting specific nutrient quantities to prevent a system overload on the already taxed kidneys. Unfortunately, that can result in nutrient deficiencies affecting keratin production, a protein responsible for nail strength.”

Makes sense to me. That could account for concave nails, yellow coloring, white streaking, Beau’s lines, detached, or brittle nails. I must admit I thoroughly enjoy learning about this particular side effect of CKD. I just don’t want to experience it, and I certainly hope you don’t either.

Until next week,

Keep living your life!

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