How the Nail Fungus Infection Develops

A nail fungus infection does not choose its victims according to whether they get regular manicure or not. This is because the cause of the nail fungus infection, which is a group of skin fungus called dermatophytes, practically lives with every person on this planet. That is, virtually all skins have the dermatophytes. And this implies that everyone has the chance to be infected with the nail fungus.

However, the nail fungus infection is not a sweeping epidemic, even when everyone’s skin has the dermatophytes. One does not meet people with toenail fungus or fingernail fungus everyday. And it is also possible to live one’s whole life without ever experiencing the nail fungus infection. This is because the mere presence of the dermatophytes on one’s skin does not immediately mean a nail fungus infection.

A toenail fungus or fingernail fungus will develop only when several conditions are met. And the first condition is the presence of a warm and moist environment. This warm and moist environment allows a rapid growth and spread of the dermatophytes. And this warm and moist environment can be found in socks and shoes. Socks that do not absorb moisture away from the feet become the perfect breeding grounds of the nail fungus. And shoes that are too tight or do not allow the feet to breath (such as the vinyl shoes) encourage the feet to sweat. With moisture, the nail fungus flourishes.

With a rapidly growing population of toe fungus, the nails of the feet become the food of these dermatophytes The nails become discolored and brittle. White or yellowish patches appear, signaling that the nails are no longer healthy. And there is debris that accumulates under the nails. Such debris came from the rotting dead nail fungus and the decaying bits of nails. And such debris produces an incredibly stinky smell. Other symptoms indicating that there is a nail fungus infection include the deformation of the nails. The nails will also get so thick that wearing socks and shoes become uncomfortable.

However, the nail fungus infection does not stop on the nails and the underneath of the nails. When the toenails become brittle enough, there will be cracks. Such cracks open a pathway for the nail fungus to reach the nail bed. The nail fungus infection can also make the toenails and fingernails crumble or fall away. The nail fungus is essentially eating up the nails. Such will allow the nail fungus to gain access to the nail bed. And when the nail fungus has reached the nail bed, the nail fungus infection becomes worse and more difficult to treat. Needless to say, such a severe nail fungus infection is painful.

The nail fungus infection is medically referred to as “onychomycosis”. And health experts have come up with three types of nail fungus. The first type of nail fungus infection is called the “distal subungual onychomycosis” (DSO), in which the nail fungus attacks from the tip of the nails going inward.

The second type of nail fungus infection is called the “proximal subungual onychomycosis” (PSO), in which the nail fungus infection begins on the nail bed. This type of nail fungus infection happens only to people with impaired or compromised immune systems.

And the third type of nail fungus infection is the “white superficial onychomycosis” (WSO), in which a white discolored patch appears on top of the toenails. Whichever nail fungus infection has occurred, a person should immediately seek the help of a physician.