What is Nail Fungus

onychomycosis and tinea unguium are both scientific terms used to refer to fungus infections of the nails, and this sort of infection can affect both fingers and toes. Fungal infections of the nails accounts for a fair percentage of all afflictions of the nails, accounting for 20% of the total figure. In addition, 6-8% of the total population is currently suffering from a nail fungal infection.

The Signs of Nail Fungus

Despite such a high number of people suffering from such infection, many people seem to be totally oblivious to the fact that they are indeed suffering from a fungal infection, so what then are the symptoms of such infections? Well, the most obvious sign of fungal infection is discolouration of the nail, typically this is either a yellowish or whitish spot/blemish that appears just directly underneath the affected nail.

Such discolouration is more serious than merely being offensive to the eye, if left alone and not treated, then the fungus will be able to affect deeper into the nail, causing the discolouration to spread more widely throughout the whole of the nail, as well as thickening the nail. Finally, the nail will became flaky and very sensitive to touch, even a gentle tug will cause a great deal of pain. This is a result of the infected tissue nestling underneath the nail.

Classifications of Nail Fungus

In total, there are actually 5 classifications of nail fungus and each classification is dependent on the severity of the infection as well as the effect it has.

1. The most common type of fungal infection is the DSO or Distal Subungual Onychomycosis.
2. The rarest is the WSO or the White Superficial Onychomycosis.
3. The third type is the Promixal Subungual Onychomycosis, the second degree of nail fungus after DSO.
4. On the other hand, there’s the Candidal Onychomycosis. This type of fungal infection affects people who have prolonged and direct exposure to water.
5. And last but not the least, is the Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis or TDO..

Causes of Nail Fungus

The major factor that causes nail fungal infection is contamination which results because of fungus that comes from the dermatophytes genus of fungus. Dermatophytes is a particularly nasty type of fungus as they specifically attack and pose a threat to the skin due to their parasitic nature, and these fungal parasites are commonly found in moist warm conditions which is their ideal growing grounds.

They are practically invisible to the naked eye, and what makes them even more insidious is that they not only do they easily burrow under the skin, but so as to better conceal themselves, they do not cause any overt symptoms.

Toenail and Fingernail Fungus

More often than not, toenails are commonly affected by nail fungus rather than the fingernails.

Usually it is the toenails that are affected more often than the finger nails, this is a direct result of the exposure the feet have to the floor and other surfaces, which are a host to bacteria. Factor in sweaty socks and shoes, the accumulated sweat of a hard days walking… Think about it. The shoes are dark, moist, and warm providing optimal breeding conditions for fungus to grow, it is little wonder that the feet are the likely targets for such infection.