Nail Fungus

Fungus in nail, commonly known as Tinea Unguium or Onychomycosis in the medical field, affects both toe and fingernails although it is more commonly found in toenails. Fungus in nail is caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes. It has five classifications: Distal Subungual Onychomycosis, White Superficial Onychomycosis, Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis, Candidal Onychomycosis and Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis. The most common of these classifications is Distal Subungal Onychomycosis wherein the fungus invades both the nail bed and nail plate. Nail plate is the outermost portion of one’s nail, while nail bed is the skin directly beneath the nail plate that makes the nail.

It’s important to know whether one is afflicted with fungus in nail. Every year, six to eight percent of the adult population worldwide gets this infection without even realizing it until it’s too late. Generally, one should not experience pain though suffering from fungus in nail, unless the infection prolongs and has gotten to the advanced stage. It is also very hard to cure fungus in nail because the infection is hard to reach if one were to use topical or external medicines. To be able to complete rid one’s self of this infection could take more than a year.

So how would one know if one has fungus in nail? If one were to look at one’s nails, it should look transparent, somewhat glossy and slightly pinkish texture. Those afflicted with Onychomycosis or fungus in nail, would have a cloudy, yellowish appearance on their nail and would also notice that the nail is somewhat thickened. Another symptom is an itch or rash in the body. Though this itch or rash may not yet be infected with fungus, skin lesions such as these provide an environment for Dermatophytes. If this is the case, laboratory tests need to be done to make sure it is fungal infection and avoid misdiagnosis. Some other nail diseases would have similar symptoms such as Psoriasis or yellow nail syndrome. The only way to confirm if one is afflicted with nail fungus is through a microscopic examination of nail scrapings or clippings which would undergo potassium hydroxide smear, culture and histology.

Of course there is a cure for fungus in nail. Doctors would prescribe antifungal medication. There are also natural remedies, which as of now, are still not scientifically tried, tested and proven. One could consider natural remedies such as grapefruit seed extract or distilled white vinegar. Distilled white vinegar supposedly changes the new nail’s acid content so that when the old nail infected with the fungus grows out, the new acidic nail becomes uninhabitable by the fungi. However, application would have to be done consistently over a few months since nails don’t get replaced overnight.

Fungus in nail, though curable, is best avoided. There are two simple ways to avoid it. First, avoid walking barefoot in public areas since one’s chances of being exposed to nail fungus is higher where there is more contact with people who could possibly be affected. Second, don’t share shoes and socks with someone else. All it takes to transmit the fungi is through skin contact with one who is infected. Overall, one should maintain good hygiene and make sure skin is always kept clean and dry. It also helps to always wash hands and feet after contact with other people or animals.

Tags: nails, symptoms, treatment, nail fungus, fungus, health, skin