The Causes of a Toenail Fungal Infection

Nail infections are often due to fungus. They can also affect the surrounding skin of the nail. Most of the time, the symptoms are not apparent which is the leading cause of chronic infection. It does not only deface the nail and skin but also causes pain. The pain makes it difficult for the patient to normally perform daily activities.

Fact is that, the toenails are affected four times more often compared to fingernails. Thus, the fungus may spread either from foot to foot, or from fingernail to fingernail. But usually, fingernail infections are limited to a single nail or hand.

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, the fungus causing athlete\’s foot, is also responsible for a thickened nail in some cases of toenail fungal infection. Other types of fungus like yeasts, some exotic fungi and even a skin condition known as psoriasis may also be the cause of the thickening of nails.

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.

A fungus called white superficial onchymosis (WSO) changes the nail to color white and have crumbly spots. The condition is easily treated with scraping. Followed after scraping, is a topical antifungal application which is done to prevent another infection.

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 what these kinds of fungus are capable of doing should help you recognize the importance of early toenail fungus remedy and proper care. Toenail fungal infections must be eliminated as soon as possible before it takes over your nail and surrounding skin.

At his wesite, ToeNailsFungus.net, Art Fedrohr writes more about toenail treatments and Fingernail Fungus.