Forms of nail fungus
According to the extent of the symptoms, the nail fungus can be divided into different stages. In everyday clinical practice one speaks of nail fungus of the early, the average and the severe stage.
- Distolateral subungual onychomycosis accounts for about 90 percent of all nail fungi.
The symptoms of this form are mainly found on the toenails. The fungal infestation usually starts there at the front edge of the nail substance and spreads slowly from there towards the nail root.
- In proximal subungual onychomycosis, the causative pathogens spread from the skin of the nail wall to the nail root and plate. According to this direction of propagation, the typical symptoms of this nail fungus species appear in the opposite direction.
- Symptoms of the so-called Leukonychia trichophytica are rather whitish discolorations of the nail substance.
Usually this form occurs exclusively in the area of the toenails. In most cases, the nail fungus of this class develops on the basis of a fungal infection in the spaces between the toes.
- If a patient suffers from dystrophic onychomycosis, the symptoms already occur with the newly formed nail. Both the structure and the regular function of the nail substance are severely restricted in these cases. In severe cases, the infected nail is completely destroyed.
- Onychia et Paronychia candidosa, which is caused by a yeast fungus of the genus Candida, manifests itself mainly through the chronic occurrence of inflammatory processes in the area of the nail wall. Furthermore, irregular structures of the nail plate and/or green-brownish discoloration of the nail are among the most frequently observed symptoms.
Nail fungus on finger
Nail fungus (technical term: onychomycosis) is usually caused by a warm, humid environment in which the filamentous fungi (Trichophyton rubrum) that cause it preferentially settle. More rarely, mold or yeast fungi can also cause nail fungus. The keratin-containing fingernails and finger gaps form an excellent basis for life.
A nail fungus infection should always be treated medically, because it likes to spread to other nails. Risk factors for a nail fungus are generally increasing age, since the blood circulation in the fingers decreases (usually caused by arteriosclerosis), and the immune system becomes weaker. In addition, with swimming pool – or Fitnessstudio attendance the danger of an infection lurks.
A nail fungus often develops on the basis of a skin fungus. Symptomatic are brittle, whitish yellow discolored fingernails, as well as thickening and inflammation of the nail bed. Also a splitting of the nail layers can be an indication for a nail fungus.
Although it is not a life-threatening disease, the nail fungus can cause pain, and also act as an entry point for other diseases. In the case of an infection with yeast fungi, the growing nail is also directly affected, as they prefer to settle on the nail wall (the skin at the edge of the nail bed). A chronic process must be prevented with antimycotics (medication against fungal attack).
