Toenail Fungus | What Type of Toenail Fungus Do You Have?

What Type of Toenail Fungus Do You Have?

Filed Under Identifying Toenail Fungus | 5 Comments

Although all types of toenail fungus. are relatively common, two types are more common than the others.  One of these types of nail fungus is called the superficial onychomycosis.  It can affect the toenails and well and fingernails.  This type of toenail fungus only infects 5-15% of the people that contract nail fungus.  Signs of this type of nail fungus are more distinct than some of the other.  Streaks appear on the outside layers of the nail.  The nails may also exhibit white spots somewhat randomly.

This type of toenail fungus progresses differently than subungual onychomycosis, which I will discuss below.  With this toenail fungus, the nail slowly turns in to a white powder type of substance and the nail gradually flakes away but not entirely.  The nail generally does not separate from the nail bed or fall off entirely.  The good news about this type of nail fungus is that it can be treated much more easily than most other types.  It is much more readily cured.

The most common type of toenail fungus is called the distal subungual onychomycosis. An easy way to think of this is that it is very simply a fungus of the nails that grows from the nail bed under the nail.  You will usually see some discoloration of the nail that varies from white to milky white to pale yellow.  Gradually, with this type of toenail fungus, the nail will start to flake on the edges and on top.

In many cases, distal subungual onychomycosis is painful and should be treated immediately to mitigate any pain.  You will find wearing shoes rather uncomfortable.  In fact, any closed toed shoe is going to be a problem.  The unsightliness of this form of nail fungus will make you hesitant to wear opened toes shows as well. This type of toenail fungus will make it difficult to walk in the later stages of the infection.

In the advanced stages of toenail fungus and fingernail fungus infections, the nail will start to remove itself from the nail bed and may even detach.  Due to the bacteria involved with the fungus, the nail bed will be unsightly and emit a foul odor typical of infections.  This particular type of nail fungus can be spread so particular care should be taken to avoid contaminating people you come in contact with.

There are a couple types of toenail fungus that are rare when compared to the most common forms.  Less than 1 in 100 people infected with toenail fungus have one of the rare forms.  The first of these relatively rare types is called subungual onychomycosis. Anyone can get this type of fungus but reality shows that HIV sufferers are generally the ones who eventually contract this nail fungus.  Skin around the nail becomes thick and it literally thickens to the point of crowding out the nail and causing it to detach from the nail bed.

The other less common type of nail fungus is called Candida Onychomycosis.

Candida Onychomycosis is actually a fungus that is found in other common fungal infections such as yeast infections in the mouth and yeast infections that are common in  females in the vaginal area.  The toenail is affected with this fungus but unlike the other forms of toenail fungus infections, the skin around the nail also shows signs of the infection.  The skin will tend to be swollen and show signs of redness similar to any other infection.  The nail will turn colors not commonly found on a nail such as shades of red or orange, green and milky white.

Although this fungus can infect the toenails, it is commonly found in fingernails.  Some theorize that the use of fingernail polish can be a contributing factor.  It generally only grows under a single nail but when the case is rather advanced, it will spread to the other fingernails.

Common sense tells you that correct diagnosis is the first step in curing your fingernail fungus or toenail fungus.  The treatment options vary based upon your type of infection and your doctor and prescribe a treatment that will be most effective once making the proper diagnosis.

Comments

• Pages

  • Privacy Policy
  • Toenail Fungus Home Remedies

• Blogroll

  • Documentation

• Recent Posts

  • Tea Tree Oil for Treatment of Toenail Fungus
  • Fighting Toenail Fungus with Nutrition
  • Toenail Fungus Fact? Or Myth?
  • Natural Nail Fungus Cures? You Decide.
  • What Type of Toenail Fungus Do You Have?
  • Contracting Toenail Fungus
  • How to Avoid Getting Nail Fungus
  • Treatment of Toenail Fungus

• Tags

  acidic environment acrylic nails cancer Candida Onychomycosis catching nail fungus Cornmeal nail fungus cure distal subungual onychomycosis fingernail fungus fingernail fungus infections fluconazole fulvicin fungal infection fungus infected toenails gentian violet good oils home remedies immune booster itraconazole lamisil melaleuca alternifolia nail bed nail disorders nail fungus nail fungus cures nail fungus remedies nail fungus treatment nail fungus when pregnant nail trauma nail with fungus natural nail fungus cure ph levels Preparation H to toenails prescription medications repulsive odor sporanox strong healthy nails subungual onychomycosis sugar superficial onychomycosis tea tree oil terbinafine toenail fungus topical treatments trauma to the nail yeasts

• About

  This is an area on your website where you can add text. This will serve as an informative location on your website, where you can talk about your site.

• Search

• Admin

  • Log in
  • Wordpress
  • XHTML