What Type of Fungus Do You Have?

There is more than one type of nail fungus infection?

Also called Onychomycosis, fungal infection of the nail is a very common occurrence and seems to be increasing. Nonetheless, most of us only know the types of nail fungus infection when we suffer from it.

Have you got fungus in your nail?

If yes, do you realize that you can better cure your nail fungus by knowing its type. Let me explain about some of the more common types of infection. This article lets you know the different types of infection and their common symptoms. Before going in detail about the different types of lets have some idea regarding the general nature of the fungus. Fungus mostly thrives in warm, moist and dark conditions. Fungus in fact grows anywhere in the surroundings including our skin. Nail Fungal infection is generally caused when the fungus enters the nail through a cut, scratch, or a wound. Here, the fungus finds the conditions, which allows it to grow and thrive.

Nail fungal infection is normally seen among individuals who are mostly exposed to warm and damp surroundings. Apart from the fungus, yeasts and moulds can also cause toenail fungus.

What Are The Different Types Of Nail Fungus?

– Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO)

Distal subungual onychomycosis is the most common type of fungal infection The major cause of this type of nail fungal infection is dermatophytes, Trichophyton rubrum, a fungus adapted for living in skin, hair and nails.

Generally, the fungus begins under the at the tip of the finger or toe. The fungus spread all over the matrix, and infects both the nail bed.

Initial symptoms comprise separation of the nail-plate from the nail-bed, and discoloration to certain parts of the infected nail-plate. Finally, with the growth of fungus, overall nail-plate get discolored, and it turn thick.

– White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO)

The second most common type of infection that generally infects the toenails, but not the fingernails, is the White Superficial Onychomycosis. This type of onychomycosis is generally caused by the dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes. This fungus grows on the upper layers of the nail, and gradually covers the complete nail-plate. In the beginning, tiny white speckled patches are seen on the surface of the nail-plate. As the fungus spreads, the white spots seen on the surface of the nail-plate converts to white powder, and finally crumbles. The fungus extract its nutrients from the nail-plate by feeding on the protein, thus, making the nail deformed and crumbly.

– Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO)

Trichophyton rubrum is the main cause of the Proximal subungual onychomycosis, which is the least common type of fungus infection.

The fungus enter the nail bed through the proximal nail fold, the flap of skin covering the nail right behind the cuticle. The fungus invades the root, where nail is built, and then move toward the edge of the nail. As the symptoms of the PSO progresses, the nail folds get infected with the thickening of the skin, which further separates the nail from the nail bed. The occurrence of this condition in healthy people may indicate an abnormality with the immune system.

– Candidal Onychomycosis

Candidal onychomycosis is a type of nail fungus, where the nail gets infected by yeast called Candida. The skin next to the nail gets infected and may start to look swollen, this is an indication of the infection. The color of the nail-plate changes to various colors like green, white, or even a brown. The nail may also lift off the nail bed. Candidal infection is generally common among people who suffer from candidal infection in places like the vagina or mouth. This type of Onychomycosis is also common among people who normally expose their hands to water or have nail trauma. The worst case of this onychomycosis could subsequently affects all of the nails.

Fungus infections may take months to clear, so don’t get distressed if you don’t see immediate results. Once the type of infection is confirmed, you can opt either prescription medication, traditional home remedies, or a natural treatment.

If you are seeking an efficient treatment for your nail fungus, then your search ends here. Read below and you will find a solution to your problem.

An Efficient Natural Treatment For Nail Fungus

Many people use Natural Treatments for their toenail fungus since they are safe with no side-effects.

Naturally derived, Tea Tree Oil, has shown considerable improvement with toenail fungus infection. There are different natural treatments available to cure toenail fungus infection, but Tea Tree Oil is considered the first option among all. There are various ‘tea tree oil enriched natural products’ available online for treating your toenail fungus infection.