Fungus! What Is It Exactly?

Nail fungus, also called onychomycosis or tinea unguium, is an infection caused by fungi. When it comes to nail diseases or infections, nail fungus is the most popular type. Nail fungus can infect fingernails and toenails; however, the most popular is toenail because they are most often found in a dark and humid environment that provides a great place for the fungus to grow. There are four types of nail fungus that will be explained in the next article.

Distal subungual onychomycosis

This type of toenail fungus, which is the most popular, will start at the tip of the toenail and work its way into the cuticle as it progresses. The meaning of distal is "distance from"; the definition of subungual means "under the nail"; whereas onychomycosis is simply the scientific name for toenail fungus. Distal subungual onychomycosis affects the nail plate and is caused by a fungus that has adapted to live on the skin, hair, and nails.

People with this type of nail fungus may experience inflammation that could cause the nail to detach from the nail bed and / or thicken the nail. If the nail is not treated at all, this could give space for infectious bacteria and fungi to grow, making the nail appear yellow or brown.

White superficial onychomycosis (WSO)

This is the second most popular type of fungus, which can also affect both fingernails and toenails. Unlike the other types of nail fungus, WSO will start on the top layer of the nail and eventually affect the entire nail. One to two percent of the population has WSO and it is most common among Italian descendants over 65 years of age. Studies also show that 30% of people who have HIV will be affected by nail fungus, and people with WSO often cannot be treated with topical treatment.

This is sometimes the case for other people who have WSO, as the fungus grows inside the nail and the cream does not penetrate the nail. Before being diagnosed with WSO, people have often been affected by the condition for a few years without noticing anything. Some of the symptoms associated with WSO are dull, brittle and deformed nails; however, the first thing people will notice is white spots on the nails.

Proximal subungual onychomycosis

This is the least popular nail fungus among healthy people, but most popular among immunosuppressed people; that is, those who have something that weakens their immune system, such as HIV and autoimmune diseases, or people who use intravenous drugs. Often when someone contracts this type of fungus and their immune system has not been affected by anything; The patient will be tested for HIV. However, it is important to remember that having this type of nail fungus does not necessarily mean that someone has HIV.

The fungus starts at the cuticle and will work its way to the tip of the nail as the nail grows. People may also notice yellow or white spots near the cuticles, as well as bumps on the nails as they grow. Finally, the skin around the nail can become red, inflamed, and swollen. Sometimes pus is also present, causing doctors to misdiagnose the fungus as a bacterial infection and prescribe antibiotics, but antibiotics will not cure the fungus. Unlike other types of nail fungus, proximal subungual onychomycosis should be treated with pills rather than topical creams.

Candida onychomycosis

This last type of nail fungus mainly affects the fingernails and not the toenails. The fungus will affect the area around the nail and is the least popular type of nail fungus. Most of the people who get this type of nail fungus are people who put their hands in water frequently and most of the time, it requires the person to have a previous infection or trauma to the nail. This type of nail fungus is most often treated with topical creams.

After consulting with a doctor, if a person chooses to use a topical cream to treat the fungus, there is one type that works particularly well called Funginix. This cream is completely natural and will not only make the fungus disappear, but if used for six months it will prevent it from reappearing.

More Info:https://nationalculturists.org/nail-fungus-treatment/

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