Types of Nail Fungus

Fungal infections are very common, affecting an estimated 11 million Americans. How do you know if you have a nail infection? Because nail fungal infections tend to develop gradually over time, it can be difficult at first to determine the presence of nail fungus. Once the infection has become well established, it is hard to miss the signs of nail fungus. Individuals with nail fungal infections tend to suffer from thick, yellowish nails that grow irregularly, often manifesting ridges or spots. The nails may also appear brown or black in color. So how do our nails become like this? Here is a brief overview of they most common types of nail fungus.

First, it helps to understand the nature of fungus. Fungus grows in any warm, dark and moist location. Fungus grows everywhere in our environment and on our skin. Nail fungal infections occur when fungi enters the nails and finds an environment that allows it to thrive and grow. People who are prone to developing nail fungal infections may have nails that are vulnerable in some way. For instance, people who work in moist or warm locations may be more vulnerable.

One of the most common forms of fungi is related to the fungus that causes athlete's foot. This fungus is known as tinea. The tinea fungus may be present in people who have athlete's foot. This fungus can grow around the skin and spread into the nails. Dermatologists estimate that roughly 30 percent of those affected with athlete's foot will also develop a nail infection.

Another common type of fungi that can cause serious infections is Candida. Candida is common yeast that can cause infections in skin around nails. Candida is known as a rather nasty type of fungus that can develop into a difficult to treat skin and nail infections. Yeast fungi are the most common types of fungi in the United States.

Yet another common type of fungi that is responsible for many nail fungal infections around the world is known as dermatophyte. This type of fungi literally means "plant that lives on the skin." Dermatophyte is fungi characterized by its small, parasitic-like properties. Dermatophyte fungi are most common in temperate areas of the world. The fungi work by digesting keratin (the protein that makes up our skin, hair, and nails), and this causes a trigger response in the nails to produce extra keratin. This causes the nails to thicken and eventually become discolored. When nails thicken due to infection, they may separate from the rest of the toe or finger. Dermatophyte fungi are also responsible for other common skin and nail infections, including some types of athlete's foot, ringworm and "crotch rot."

All types of fungi flourish in warm, dark and moist environments. To prevent fungi from multiplying beneath your nails, keep your feet and hands clean and dry. Avoid the warm, dark, wet and dirty conditions that fungi love to thrive in because once they settle in, it can be quite difficult to rid the skin and nails of fungi forever.

Nail fungus news on the Web

Nail Care Myths and Facts (ThirdAge) Speaking at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy Meeting, Marta J. VanBeek, MD, MPH, FAAD, assistant professor, department of dermatology, University of Iowa College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa, discussed the myths and facts of healthy nails . "Healthy, strong nails are important not just for their looks but for performing the tasks of daily life, like picking up objects," Dr. ...

Sierra frog's plight worsens, study finds (Reno Gazette-Journal) A warming climate is drying up the Sierra's small high-altitude lakes, putting an already imperiled frog in further danger.

A Podiatrist's Pedicure? (ThirdAge) Dec. 27 -- Christine Witte likes getting pedicures, but she has reason to be particular about where she gets them. "I actually had foot fungus in the past, and it was probably [from] going to an unsanitary place to get a pedicure," Witte said.

Brittle Nails (ThirdAge) My toenails get very brittle, and they tend to crack and peel. This problem has been more pronounced the last couple of years. I also have one toenail that's darker in color than the rest. Could I have a fungus?! I'm not sure because there isn't any gross white crud around my toenails.

Happy Newton Day! (The New Statesman) O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel . . . Advent, we learned at school, was a time of anticipation: of looking forward to the coming of the Messiah. But we boys knew better. Advent was looking forward to something a lot more interesting - Christmas.

Pexiganan Phase 3 Clinical Trials Results Published In December Issue Of CID (Medical News Today) ACCESS PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP) and MACROCHEM CORPORATION (OTC Bulletin Board: MACM) announced that the results of two Phase 3 studies of pexiganan for the topical treatment of mild diabetic foot infection were published in the December 15, 2008 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. The publication was authored by Benjamin A. Lipsky, M.D.

Cootie alert! Battle your body's buggy invaders (MSNBC) Your skin is crawling with tiny critters. Here's how to beat them when they mount an attack.

Pexiganan Phase 3 Clinical Trials Results Published in December Issue of CID (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance) blinded multi-center clinical trials of pexiganan cream

Healthy gifts that don't ruin the budget (The Post and Courier) When it comes to making everyone on your gift list happy, you can give gifts that keep giving. These days, gifts that make you healthy are also fun to get.