Toenail fungal infections not only affect the nail but can also infect the skin. Oftentimes, the symptoms are hardly noticed and become chronic. Aside from the damaging effects of such toenail fungal infection, it is also painful. The pain eventually affects the daily activities of the infected individuals.
Toenails are usually infected (four times) compared to fingernails. The infection can extend from a single foot to another foot; or from a single nail to another. Anyhow, fingernail fungus is usually limited only to a single hand or nail.
A toenail fungal infection is basically caused by an exposure to warm and moist environment which is the favorite breeding ground for fungi. The symptoms and severity of a toenail fungal infection all depends upon the causative agent or type of fungus. Some changes the nail color into yellow, black, brown, etc. and cause brittle and cracked nails. The site may be itchy, red, and inflamed. So let’s try to identify what these fungi really are.
Trichophyton rubrum, a type of fungus responsible for causing athlete’s foot, also causes the thickening of the nail which is one common symptom of a toenail fungal infection. A condition called psoriasis, or an exotic fungus and yeasts also makes the nails thicken at times.
A distal subungual onchymosis (DSO) is a type of fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte fungus invading spaces in between the toe’s tip and nail tip. This type of fungus causes the yellow discoloration and separation of the nail from its nail bed.
The white superficial onchymosis (WSO) on the other hand only affects the nail surface turning it to white and crumbly-like spots. This infection however is among the most easily cured because scraping can be done. A topical antifungal will then be applied to inhibit the fungus from returning.
The least common type of nail fungi affecting most infected individuals is the proximal subungual onchymosis (PSO). It causes a white or yellowish discoloration nearing the cuticle. Plaques build up under the nail which eventually lifts the nail and falls off. A systemic drug is used for this kind of toenail fungal infection.
Knowing the effects of what these fungi can cause to our health makes it clear enough to properly deal with toenail fungal infections with proper care and right toenail fungus remedy.
At his wesite, ToeNailsFungus.net, Art Fedrohr writes more about toenail fungus home remedies and Yellow Toenails.
