Types of Toenail Fungus: Toenail Fungus Treatments

There are different types of toenail fungus. Also known as “onychomycosis, ” a fungal infection that occurs under the toenails, affecting one or more nails. It will usually start as a tiny white spot under the tip of the nail before turning yellowish. Eventually, it will progress deeper into the nail, causing additional symptoms and potentially losing the nails.

Nail fungus can also affect the fingernails. However, it’s more common in the toenails. That’s because shoes and socks create a dark and damp environment, an ideal breeding ground for fungus. The treatment will vary according to the types of toenail fungus you have.

Symptoms of Toenail Fungus

The symptoms of toenail fungus will vary, depending on the types of toenail fungus and other factors, such as the duration and extent of infection. Other complicating factors can also affect some other parts of the toes. In extreme cases, the infection could spread to the foot and the body. Generally, the most common symptoms of toenail fungus include the following:

Thickened nails

Brittle and crumbly nails

Whitish to yellow discoloration

Darkened with debris

Thickened nails

Distorted and misshapen nails

Mildly foul odor

Different Types of Toenail Fungus

There are several different types of toenail fungus. However, the three main types are white superficial onychomycosis, subungual onychomycosis, and candida onychomycosis. Each type defines the nature of the fungus.

White Superficial Onychomycosis

The white superficial onychomycosis is a type of toenail fungus characterized by fungi growth at the nail plate’s dorsal surface or the top layer of the nail. It happens due to Acremonium, a type of fungi that belongs to the Hypocreaceae family. There are about 100 different species of Acremonium. This type of toenail fungus is sometimes caused by Fusarium, a filamentous fungus also belonging to the Hypocreaceae family. 

The white superficial onychomycosis will first appear as white spots before turning yellowish. It’s usually the easiest to treat in all types of toenail fungus because it’s so easy to get to. But once the infection spreads across the toenail, the nails could get crumbly or rough. It can be treated through mechanical debridement of the affected toenails, followed by anti-fungal agents.

Aside from the standard form of white superficial onychomycosis, which is usually quite common in the toenails, other varieties of this type of toenail fungus exist. These include white superficial onychomycosis in children, mold white superficial onychomycosis, and white superficial onychomycosis on individuals diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Subungual Onychomycosis

Subungual onychomycosis is a type of toenail infection caused by the fungi dermatophytes. There are about 40 different dermatophytes species categorized into three genera – Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum. Dermatophytes are the same class of fungus that causes the Athlete’s Foot. If the infection begins in the skin below the nail, it’s known as the distal subungual onychomycosis. There are cases when the infection will start at the toenail base. This type is called the proximal subungual onychomycosis.

If the doctor suspects that you have subungual onychomycosis, he will take a sample from the nail for examination. The specimen will be taken from the site nearest the cuticle, where the growth of fungi is the greatest. Topical antifungal medications are usually applied to the affected area in the nails to kill the fungi and other pathogens that cause the infection.

Candida Onychomycosis

The candida onychomycosis is the type of fungal infection caused by a yeast, scientifically known as candida. There are about 60 different species of candida. Although candida onychomycosis is less common in nails, this is a common type of fungal infection. It usually accounts for most infections affecting the GI tract and the mucus membranes.

Other Types of Toenail Fungus

Sometimes, the toenail fungus is categorized according to the color of the nails. So, aside from the three main types of toenail fungus, there are other varieties of toenail fungus, which include the following:

Black toenail fungus

If your toenail is thick and dark, this type of fungal infection is due to a fungus known as the dermatophytes. This infection affects the toenail, including the area underneath the nail, and causes discoloration of the nails. Sometimes, the nail will be thickened and deformed.

The black toenail fungus is relatively common, with about 12% of Americans diagnosed with the condition. Older adults, individuals with diabetes, weakened immune systems, and blood circulation problems are more likely to develop black nail fungus. The infection will not go away on its own. Sometimes, it can take a year or more to treat it using prescription medicines, which are applied directly to the toenails or taken orally in the form of a pill.

Yellow toenail fungus

As the name suggests, the yellow toenail fungus refers to a fungal infection where the nails turn yellowish. But it’s worth noting that having thick yellow toenails is not always a result of fungal infection. It can also be due to many factors, such as nail polish and aging.

When a fungal infection causes the condition, it’s usually because of the fungi known as dermatophytes, which thrive on keratin. Keratin is abundant in skin and nails, and when the fungi start feeding on the toenails, the yellow toenail fungus occurs.

Green nail fungus

The green nail fungus is an infection that results in the greenish discoloration of nails. Usually, the discoloration will vary from bluish green to dark green or bluish grey. Since the infection occurs underneath the nail, the green color will not disappear with washing or scrubbing.

The green nail fungus is due to a bacteria known as pseudomonas aeruginosa. It usually flourishes in wet environments, like Jacuzzis, sinks, and bath sponges. Once it grows on your toenails, it produces green pigments known as pyocyanin and pyoverdin.

Conclusion

There are many things you can do to avoid developing any of these types of toenail fungus. Always maintain proper hygiene by cleaning your feet regularly and making sure you wear a pair of clean and dry socks. But if you do develop a toenail fungus, you can use antifungal medications to treat the condition. However, if the infection will not go away even after treatment, it is best to see a doctor. Browse through out best toenail fungus treatment site for more information.