onychomycosis

You see something strange in your nails and you think it might be a fungal infection. Your daughter, next-door neighbor and friendly manicurist believe it is. Still, you’re not sure and spend the whole night thinking about it.

Before your hair gets white from worrying, here’s something you should remember: not all funny-looking nails are fungal. In fact, there’s a great chance you don’t have the infection at all unless you’re overweight, walk barefoot in public places, are continuously exposed to warm, moist environments, and share shoes, nail files, and nail clippers with other people.

Although onychomycosis or ringworm of the nail is a common disease, it often starts as a small spreading white or yellow spot on the nail. As the disease progresses, it causes the infected nail to become discolored, thickened or deformed. The skin around the nail may become itchy, red or swollen. Untreated, the affected nail becomes painful and it may have a foul smell.

If the toenails are involved, there is scaling on the sides of the foot which is often mistaken as “dry skin.” For some unknown reason, onychomycosis rarely affects the hands unless both feet have the infection.

“Even stranger is the striking tendency of fungus to affect only one hand at a time. If one or more nails are yellowish and crumbly on one hand but not on the other — and both feet are involved — fungus is likely. Otherwise, fungus is less likely to be the culprit,” said WebMD.

If your nails look funny but you don’t have the above symptoms, chances are your condition is caused by something else. Here are other symptoms that are usually mistaken for onychomycosis courtesy of WebMD:

Lines and ridges - are common with aging and nothing to worry about.

Whitish or yellowish nails – are the result of onycholysis, the separation of the nail from the nail bed. The color is caused by air and the nail returns to normal in two to three months.

Red or black nails - are due to a hematoma or blood under the nail. This happens when the nail is injured and goes away by itself.

Green nails - are caused by pseudomonas bacteria that multiply when the nail separates from the nail bed. Again, this disappears in two to three months.

Swelling and redness of the skin around the nail - is called paronychia and is caused by a yeast that infects a damaged cuticle. This can be treated with a topical anti-yeast cream.

To erase whatever doubts you may have about your strange or funny-looking nails, consult a doctor at the earliest possible time. The earlier treatment is started, the better to reduce the risk of complications arising from the infection. Important points to consider when choosing an oral antifungal drug are safety, treatment time, and price.

Does the term Onychomycosis (on-ee-koh-my-ko-sis) sound bad to you? Wait till you see it. But better make sure they won’t be on your own nails or you might not want to see your fingers for a time. To give you an overview, Onychomycosis is the scientific name for nail fungal infection. This type of nail abnormality is caused by the bacterium called dermatophyte or tinea unguium, of which sources include yeasts and molds. This bacterium is also the source of such skin infections as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and the common ringworm.

Onychomycosis is 50 per cent more common than other nail disorders. It consists of several subtypes: Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (this takes place when the fungus affects the nailbed); White Superficial Onychomycosis (happens when the fungus forms "white islands" on the outer layers of the nail bed); Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (if the fungus seeps through the proximal nail fold); Candidal Onychomycosis (is caused by the bacterium candida, when the nails are overexposed in water); Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis (when the nail plate is completely ruined).

Normally, men are more prone to nail fungal infection than women. Nail fungi can actually infect anyone but those with diabetes or leukemia should take extra care, the same goes for adults especially ages 60 and above. Having declining immune system and troubled blood circulation is what makes them more vulnerable.

This infection is characterized by the thickening and discoloration (yellow, white, or black of the nails. Minor pain is felt in the infected area while the nail slowly detaches from its plate. This kind of fungus easily spawns in warm and moist areas, thus, always finding settlement under our toenails and seldom on the fingernails.

How does the nail get contaminated? Nail fungal infection are anaerobic microorganisms, which means that they thrive in warm and wet areas. The little supply of oxygen keeps them surviving making our nails the safest place for them to breed. They feed on the keratin substance of the nails and slowly destroy them.

Usually, walking barefoot in public swimming pools, communal shower rooms, and gyms gives them access to your toenails, while overexposing your hands to water and harmful chemicals allow the bacteria to grow in your fingernails. To cure the infection, consult a specialist at the early stages of growth. There are common oral and topical treatments that doctors commonly prescribe such as Lamisil, Penlac, Tinactin, and lacquer, among others.

If you are a fan of alternative medicines, vinegar works well as anti-fungal remedy. Soaking the infected part in vinegar for 15-20 minutes twice daily until the infection heals kills the bacteria because of its strong acid contact. Applying Vicks VapoRub on the area is also a popular treatment.

Meanwhile, the rules for preventing nail fungal infection are easy. Three simple ways: Keep your hands and feet dry and apply foot powder on your feet if you must; never walk barefoot in wet, public places; and most importantly, maintain good hygiene. Then, you are guaranteed to be fungi-proof but for awhile.

Does the term Onychomycosis (on-ee-koh-my-ko-sis) sound bad to you? Wait till you see it. But better make sure they won’t be on your own nails or you might not want to see your fingers for a time. To give you an overview, Onychomycosis is the scientific name for nail fungal infection. This type of nail abnormality is caused by the bacterium called dermatophyte or tinea unguium, of which sources include yeasts and molds. This bacterium is also the source of such skin infections as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and the common ringworm.

Onychomycosis is 50 per cent more common than other nail disorders. It consists of several subtypes: Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (this takes place when the fungus affects the nailbed); White Superficial Onychomycosis (happens when the fungus forms "white islands" on the outer layers of the nail bed); Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (if the fungus seeps through the proximal nail fold); Candidal Onychomycosis (is caused by the bacterium candida, when the nails are overexposed in water); Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis (when the nail plate is completely ruined).

Normally, men are more prone to nail fungal infection than women. Nail fungi can actually infect anyone but those with diabetes or leukemia should take extra care, the same goes for adults especially ages 60 and above. Having declining immune system and troubled blood circulation is what makes them more vulnerable.

This infection is characterized by the thickening and discoloration (yellow, white, or black of the nails. Minor pain is felt in the infected area while the nail slowly detaches from its plate. This kind of fungus easily spawns in warm and moist areas, thus, always finding settlement under our toenails and seldom on the fingernails.

How does the nail get contaminated? Nail fungal infection are anaerobic microorganisms, which means that they thrive in warm and wet areas. The little supply of oxygen keeps them surviving making our nails the safest place for them to breed. They feed on the keratin substance of the nails and slowly destroy them.

Usually, walking barefoot in public swimming pools, communal shower rooms, and gyms gives them access to your toenails, while overexposing your hands to water and harmful chemicals allow the bacteria to grow in your fingernails. To cure the infection, consult a specialist at the early stages of growth. There are common oral and topical treatments that doctors commonly prescribe such as Lamisil, Penlac, Tinactin, and lacquer, among others.

If you are a fan of alternative medicines, vinegar works well as anti-fungal remedy. Soaking the infected part in vinegar for 15-20 minutes twice daily until the infection heals kills the bacteria because of its strong acid contact. Applying Vicks VapoRub on the area is also a popular treatment.

Meanwhile, the rules for preventing nail fungal infection are easy. Three simple ways: Keep your hands and feet dry and apply foot powder on your feet if you must; never walk barefoot in wet, public places; and most importantly, maintain good hygiene. Then, you are guaranteed to be fungi-proof but for awhile.

Nail fungal infection, or onychomycosis is not just an ordinary irritation. It completely kills the nails as the fungi grow either on your finger or toes. Onychomycosis comes from the bacterium called dermatophyte or tinea unguium, which forms in yeasts or molds. Anybody is not safe from the threats of fungi. Adults ages 60 and above are the most likely individuals to get onychomycosis. Person with diabetes and leukemia, meanwhile, should take extra care and must practice strict nail hygiene as they are also susceptible to nail fungal attack. This is so because of their weakening immune system and blood circulation disorders. Taking the infection for granted may lead to more serious complications.

The toenails serve as the fungi’s best hideout since our feet is constantly confined inside the shoes. Affection on fingernails is least common unless often exposed to water and chemicals. Based on popular statistics in America, half of all kinds of fungal infection is onychomycosis. It has been found out that nail fungal infection on the fingernails is more common in men, while fungal infection on the toenails affect women more.

By nature, dermatophyte is anaerobic, meaning it lives in moist areas, where there is least or no oxygen supply. Once infected, the fungi feed on the keratin protein of the nails. In turn, the nails generate more keratin than normal, slowly building up thick layers. The nail crumbles progressively until it totally detaches from the nail bed. The symptoms include discoloration of the nail (white, yellow, brown, or black), deformity, pain, swelling, and foul smell.

As dermatophyte grow aggressively in damp surroundings, infection can be had by frequenting public swimming pools, toilets, locker rooms, gyms and the like. You can even get the bacteria from your favorite salon if the instruments they use for pedicure and manicure are not sanitized. These are possible sources of contagion.

Poor ventilation and improper care of the nails in both hands and feet heighten the risk of nail fungal infection. To prevent contamination of the nails, always secure a hygienic environment. Do not take for granted a wet foot. Always wash and dry your feet well after a day of work inside your shoes and tight socks. You may apply foot powder to ensure dryness.

If already infected, seek professional advice. Most doctors prescribe oral and topical treatments over the counter. Some of the most trusted brands include Lamisil, Dermisil, Tinactin, and lacquer. They work efficiently but slowly. Surgery is seldom necessary.

On the other hand, there are also alternative remedies available at your own home. Soaking the infected part in vinegar is one that many trusts. Do this for about twenty minutes twice a day until the contamination disappears. The acid content of the solution kills the bacteria effectively, though it may take a couple of months or more to heal and for a new nail to grow. To sum it up, good hygiene is the key to escaping the hassles of onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis, also known as nail fungus, is one of the more common infections. It is common enough to say that almost anybody had Onychomycosis infection before. The way we use our hands and feet and how we take care of them can mean the difference between having fungal infection or not.

Onychomycosis cannot easily penetrate our nails. Our nails are the ultimate barrier against the infection. Even so, once our nails have been penetrated it won’t be long before infection sets in and eventually spread. Prevention is still the better choice.

The idea of fungal infection being contagious is not too far-fetched. People can pass on the infection by indiscriminate use of contaminated equipment. Not wearing the right size of shoes and overly tight socks can contribute to the growth of fungal infection. Having your fungal infection treated is not a walk in the park. The treatment itself last long and the recovery period for a nail may take over a year.

Preventing re-infection is of utmost importance while nearing the end of the recovery period of a nail. Just because your nail looks normal does not mean that you relax on your treatment. If ever a re-infection appears, you will have to undergo the same treatment again for a longer period than before.

3 Types of Onychomycosis Infection

There are 3 types of Onychomycosis infection depending on its appearance. One is the “Distal Subungual Onychomycosis”, the second is “Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis” and the third is the “White Superficial Onychomycosis”. The most common nail fungal infection is the first one. It is based on the point where the nail separates from the skin. The second one is based on the area where the nail is closer to the body of the person. The second type usually appears in people with weak immune systems. The third one is based on the upper part of the nail specifically the surface.

People with discolored nails may not be as showy with them as compared to normal ones. People have this idea that fungal infections are contagious and are a result of bad fingernail and toenail care.

3 Kinds of Fungi That Cause Onychomycosis

There are 3 kinds of fungi that cause Onychomycosis. These are dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophytes. Any of these 3 kinds can already be on your nails without any indication of pain or discoloration. The foul smell, by the way, comes from the debris that may collect under the nail. Talk about not clipping your nails. When you clip your nails, be sure to clean it also. You will be amazed at how neat your toenails or fingernails will look, if you clean it properly.

Since Onychomycosis is hard to cure, you might as well control it. There are medications solely for the control of this infection. Proper nutrition also plays a vital part in good nail health. A sufficient intake of proteins and minerals, avoiding sugar, alcohol, and caffeine will contribute to the well-being of your nails. There are herbal remedies for Onychomycosis. It is used to relieve, and not cure, some of the symptoms. Whatever medication you take, be it chemical creams or herbal, use it properly for it to be effective.