Determining
if you have nail fungus can involve a culture taken by your doctor or,
in most cases, by examination of the nail itself by you or your doctor.
While determining the exact type of fungus from visual observation is
not 100% accurate, the descriptions provided herein along with the
probability of each specific type of fungus should help you greatly in
determining whether or not your nails are infected.
Here are some basic guidelines that will help you determine :
If you nails are infected
The most likely fungus
Distal subungual onychomycosis is the most typical fungal nail infection and is caused by the organism Trichophyton rubrum (Dermatophytes). It affects the nail and the nail bed (skin underneath the nail). Symptoms include:
Yellow streaks underneath nail and in the nail bed.
Buildup of nail fragments (debris) underneath the nail.
A thickened and discolored nail that can separate from the skin underneath the nail.
A brittle or thickened nail
Probability that distal subungual onychomycosis is the source of your infection: +/-90%.
White superficial onychomycosis
is most likely caused by a fungus organism known as Trichophyton
mentagrophytes. It is usually the second most common fungal nail infection and
can also be caused by dermatophytes. Symptoms include:
White spots/streaks on top of the nail
Soft and powdery nail
Damaged and crumbly nail that becomes discolored on the surface.
Probability that white superficial onychomycosis is the source of your infection: +/- 10%.
Two other types of fungal nail infections that are far less common:
Candida onychomycosis
is a type of yeast infection that is most likely caused by an organism known as
Candida Albicans. This type of infection is commonly found on the
fingernails as opposed to the toenails. The color of the nail can change
different colors like green, white, black, or brown. The skin adjacent to the
nail may look puffy and this is usually an indication of the infection. This
type of infection can cause discomfort in the infected area.
Probability that candida onychomycosis is the source of your infection: +/- 1%.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis
is caused by the organism Trichophyton rubrum and is the least common
type of nail infection. It is the least common form of nail infections
and is mainly limited to people to have impaired immune systems. People
who have HIV are most affected by this fungal
infection. In this infection the the skin thickens causing the nail to separate from the skin. The nail may turn white and the
top skin of the foot may also get affected.
Probability that subungual onychomycosis is the source of your infection: Less than 1%.
Determining
the "exact type" of nail fungus that is affecting you is unnecessary
because Fitnails advanced antifungal formula eradicates all fungus that
affect nails. We stand by our product 100%. Your satisfaction is
guaranteed.
