Nail Fungus

Do you have yellowed nails or nails that have separated from your nailbeds? There’s a good chance that you might have nail fungus.

Onychomycosis ,the fancy term for nail fungus, is the medical condition that results when microscopic fungi invade toenails and fingernails. By the way, a fungus is a parasitic plant-like organism under which mushrooms, rusts, puffballs, truffles,molds, and yeast belong.

One cause of nail fungus is a specific type of fungi called dermatophytes. The dermatophytes are composed of three genera of fungi which cause nail fungus by invading the surface of fingernails and toenails, at which point they start to grow and reproduce under the nails. These little creatures are usually found in colder areas of the world.

Another cause of nail fungus are yeast, which is also a common fungi. Yeasts are infrequently found in temperate areas, but are more common in the tropical parts of the world.

Dermatophytes and yeasts cause nail fungus by eating away at keratin, the main protein that makes up our fingernails, toenails, hair, and skin. As a response, the nails try to produce keratin at a faster rate, causing it to thicken and eventually detach from the nail bed. Other effects include nail discoloration, due to the accumulation of organic products that are caused by fungi metabolism, inflammation of the skin around the infected nails, pain, and a foul odor.

These effects are certainly not pleasant. They can cause a great deal of difficulty in walking, playing, and doing typical day-today activities. Having deformed nails and smelly feet are not things to be proud of, and therefore people who have nail fungi often suffer from a great deal of embarrassment, as well as anxiety about the risk of spreading the infection to others.

We now know that these organisms, dermatophytes and yeast, cause nail fungus. But how do these organisms get under the nails in the first place?

Our nails are a good and effective barrier against bacteria and other foreign organisms. However, the moment this barrier gets broken, dermatophytes and yeasts can enter without any problem and start invading healthy tissue.

Here are some of the most common conditions that predisposes a person to nail fungus.
1. Prolonged exposure to dampness or wet environments. Environments which are damp are ideal places for the fungus to grow. People who work in damp areas, who wear shoes that are too tight or do not provide enough ventilation, or who tend to sweat a lot are at a greater risk of having nail fungus.

2. People who have nail beds that are exposed due to disease or injury. Our nails provide a natural barrier against infection. Once this barrier gets broken, bacteria and fungi like dermatophytes can get in and cause nail fungus.

3. People who go to nail salons are also at a greater risk of getting nail fungus, especially if the salon is not very keen on safety and hygiene.

Nail fungus is not something that can be treated easily. Now that you know what causes nail fungus you can now take measures to ensure that you, and your nails, are safe from this infection.

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