| Onychomycosis or toenail fungus is the most | | | | rarest type of toenail fungus. It is characterized |
| common known nail disorder. It is caused by a | | | | by white or yellow spots on the the cuticle then |
| type of fungus called dermatophytes which are | | | | spreads throughout the other parts of the nail. |
| parasites that feeds on keratin, protein of which | | | | This type of toenail fungus is also highly curable. |
| nails are made of. Dermatophytes are anaerobic | | | | People have this impression that onychomycosis is |
| organisms meaning they can survive without | | | | merely a cosmetic problem. The truth is people |
| oxygen. This is the same type of fungus that | | | | suffering from toenail fungus experiences severe |
| cause other infections such as ring worm and | | | | pain as a result of the toenails growing inward. |
| jock itch. | | | | The disease affects patients not only physically |
| Onychomycosis is characterized by discoloration | | | | but also socially because the discomfort brought |
| and thickening of the nails as a result of | | | | about by the disease makes it difficult to perform |
| overproduction of keratin meant to replace the | | | | even simple everyday tasks such as walking and |
| ones eaten by the parasites. Onychomycosis | | | | running. Not to mention of course that |
| infection starts on the nail bed then spreads and | | | | onychomycosis sufferers are usually embarrassed |
| grows to cover the whole nail. Basically, there are | | | | of their disease and are often afraid that they |
| five basic types of toenail fungus, they are: | | | | might spread it to other people. |
| White Superficial Onychomycosis or White | | | | When it comes to gender, males are more prone |
| Superficial Onychomycosis - This type of toenail | | | | to acquiring onychomycosis than females. People |
| fungus is called as such because it is characterizes | | | | who are aged 60 and above are more also more |
| by white and powdery specs on the surface of | | | | susceptible to getting toenail fungus than much |
| the nails. Apart from the discoloration, the afflicted | | | | younger individuals. But this is probably because |
| nails also become flaky and brittle. This type of | | | | they generally have a weaker immune system. |
| toenail infection is the most curable of all types of | | | | Certain disease also makes one and easy prey |
| toenail fungus. | | | | for dermatophytes. These include diabetes, |
| Distal Subungual Onychomycosis - This type of | | | | psoriasis and leukemia. |
| nail fungus is characterized by an infection occurs | | | | If you are suspect that you have onychomycosis, |
| in between the tip of the nail and the skin and | | | | whether it is white onychomycosis or other |
| along the side of the nail. People with this type of | | | | types, the first thing that you should do is go to |
| toenail fungus has nails that is color yellow. | | | | doctor to properly diagnose your condition. |
| Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis - This is the | | | | |