What are the types of Nail Fungus?
What are the types of Nail Fungus?
There are several different types of fungi which invade and infect finger and toenails. You will need to consult with a medical professional to determine exactly which form of onychomycosis you have, or if you have a similar but less serious condition. Diagnosis by medical professionals is recommended before beginning any treatment regime. The following information about types of nail fungus infections is purely for informational purposes and should not be used as a self-diagnosis tool. There are four general types of onychomycosis infection:
Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis (DLSO):
This is the most common form of nail fungus infections. This is usually caused by a skin/hair fungus, known as a dermatophyte. These fungi invade the nail bed at the tip of the finger or toe and then spread through the nail itself backwards to the cuticle. DLSO can either be confined to one side of the nail bed or it may spread throughout the entire nail matrix. If you are experiencing a nail fungus infection, there is a very high likelihood that it is distal or lateral subungual onychomycosis.
Superficial white onychomycosis (SWO):
This type of fungal infection is far less common than distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis, accounting for only about 10% of cases, but it is also typically caused by a dermatophyte infection. Unlike with DLSO, this type of nail fungus infection attacks the actual nail itself, not the nail bed. This sort of infection is characterized by white sports forming around the plate of the nail. In women SWO can lead to a misdiagnosis because an adverse reaction to certain nail polishes can also cause the nail to form a white, chalky appearance. This is one reason why it is always best to have your infection type confirmed by a medical professional.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO):
Is a very rare type of fungal nail infection and is more often than not related to a compromised immune system of some type, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis-c (Hep-C), cancer, or diabetes. This sort of nail fungus infection might actually be a blessing in disguise because it can alert patients to potentially life-threatening issues which were presently unknown.
Candidal onychomycosis (CO):
This is another rare type of onychomycosis. The main difference between CO and the latter 3 infections is that CO only affects the fingernails. It is frequently a problem for people who often work with moist hands, fishermen, dishwashers, etc. CO can also be a sign of a compromised immune system.
Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis (TDO):
This last type is not really an infection on its own but rather the late-stage of any of the previous 4 onychomycosis infections. A nail fungus infection which has process to TDO stage is characterized by the entire nail becoming hard, distorted and yellow. These classic varieties of onychomycosis can manifest themselves and give rise to distinct colors, mainly white, yellow, black, or green nails. The color of your nails corresponds with the waste product of the fungi feeding on the keratin protein found in your nails.
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