Toenail Fungus Types
There are four main types of fungal nail infection. (3) Each seems a bit different:
Lateral or distal subungual onychomycosis
This is the most occurring type. It occurs from a fungus known as a dermatophyte. You might get it in your toenails or fingernails. It begins underneath the nail, in the nail bed. You will notice a yellowish-colored part that spreads from the corners of the nail to the center and places where it occurs apart from the nail bed. Distal subungual infections are the most occurring kind of fungal nail infection and might form in both toenails and fingernails. When diseased, the outer area of the nail has an appearance jagged with yellow or white streaks over the nail.
Such infection occupies the underside of the nail and the nail bed. As your condition gets worse, the nail might split and crumble, and it might also separate from your skin. A thickened nail and a huge amount of debris occurring under your nail might give rise to discomfort while wearing shoes. DSO might be prolonging the infection and is tough to cure. Shoes that do not fit properly might develop such infection more badly or in a few cases, even give rise to the infection.
Proximal subungual onychomycosis
This occurs first in the center of the nail bed in the form of white spots at the cuticle. They move the outer side as the toenail or finger grows. It rarely and mostly affects individuals who have problems with the immune system such as HIV infection. Therefore, proximal subungual infections are not common but they could affect both your toenails and fingernails. Yellow spots occur at the base of your nail as the infection upward spreads. Such infection most commonly appears in individuals having compromised immune systems. It might also occur from mild injury to the nail.
White superficial onychomycosis
This is less occurring and only impacts the nail surface, mostly on your toenails. It begins as white spots that become powdery and give rise to nails to become crumble. However, white superficial infections mostly affect your toenails. A certain kind of fungus fight over the nail’s top layer and forms well-defined white spots over your nail. Eventually, such white patches cover the whole nail that becomes soft, rough, and prone to crumbling. Spots over your nail might become flaky and pitted.
Candidal onychomycosis
Yeast gives rise to such infection that normally affects your fingernails. The portion surrounding the nail is sometimes inflamed and swollen and the nails might come off completely. It tends to occur on nails that have been impaired by another infection or an injury. Candida yeast might lead to fungal infection. It might involve the nails that are damaged previously by an injury or prior infection. Most occurring, candida has an impact on your fingernails. It sometimes occurs in individuals who soak their hands in water more frequently. These infections normally begin with the cuticle surrounding your nail that becomes red, swollen, and tender to the touch. The nail might lift off the nail bed partially by itself or completely fall off.