Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!
What are the signs of white superficial onychomycosis?
White superficial onychomycosis (WSO) is a nail fungal infection, most commonly due to dermatophytes (fungus) that infect the nail surface. WSO is one of the most common types of onychomycosis (nail fungus). The infection primarily involves the nail plate and is characterized by the following symptoms and signs:
1. White Spots or Patches on the Nail:
The most notable symptom of WSO is the presence of white patches or spots on the surface of the nail. These spots may be irregular in shape and may appear on any part of the nail.
The whiteness tends to start in patches and may progress to cover the nail plate over time.
2. Thickening and Brittle Nails:
The infected nail will become brittle and thicker over time. The nail may be more difficult to cut or trim as the fungal infection progresses.
In some cases, the infected nail will become brittle or crumbly and break easily.
3. Peeling and Scaling of the Nail Surface:
The white spots on the nail tend to be scaly or flaky in appearance. When the infection progresses, the nail surface begins peeling off in thin layers.
Peeling of the nail surface tends to impart a rough look to the infected nail.
4. Nail discoloration:
In addition to the white spots, the nail will appear dull and lose its sheen.
In some cases, infection may cause mild yellowing or yellow-brown discoloration at the tip of the nail, especially when the infection worsens.
5. Nail Lifting Off the Nail Bed (Onycholysis):
In more severe cases, infection may cause lifting of the nail off the nail bed. Onycholysis is the term used for this condition and may cause the nail to lift away from the skin below.
This aparting can result in pain or increased susceptibility to secondary infection.
6. Increased Nail Sensitivity:
Some patients with WSO may experience some pain or tenderness of the affected nail, especially if pressure is applied to it (e.g., ambulation or shoeged binding).
But pain is not generally a prominent symptom at the onset of the infection.
7. Localized Infection:
WSO tends to affect one or a limited number of nails, most commonly the toenails. The infection is less likely to occur in all nails at the same time.
The infection tends to be localized to the nail plate and does not commonly involve the overlying skin (cuticle or nail folds).
8. Slow Progression:
The infection will progress slowly and not necessarily show direct indications of severe damage immediately. Therefore, it will remain hidden in the early stages.
Over time, the infection can be spread to other nails or advance to other forms of onychomycosis if left without treatment.
Diagnosis and Treatment:
Diagnosis is usually made by a scraping of the nail for microscopy or culturing to identify the particular fungal pathogen.
WSO is treated normally with topical antifungal medication like cyclopirox, terbinafine, or amorolfine. Oral antifungal medication may be administered in serious cases, though this is less common in WSO than it is in other manifestations of onychomycosis.
Keep the feet and dry, clean nails are paramount in prevention and control of WSO. Avoidance of tight shoes and ventilated shoes can also stop the spread of the infection.
If you suspect that you have white superficial onychomycosis, you must see a doctor or dermatologist for advice so that you can be diagnosed and treated correctly.
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO) is a unique type of onychomycosis that differs from all other types in the location of infection, means of distribution, and etiology. The following are how PSO differs from other types of onychomycosis:
1. Site of Infection:
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): It is an infection that begins in the proximal nail fold, or the area where the cuticle meets the nail, and spreads beneath the nail towards the tip. It includes infection at the nail base.
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): It is the most common form of onychomycosis. It begins on the distal border of the nail and advances towards the base. It affects the distal (outer) surface of the nail.
White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): It is on or just under the surface of the nail and is white, chalky lesions that can be removed easily when scraped off.
Candidal Onychomycosis: Fungal disease caused by the Candida fungi and usually involves the nail fold and surrounding skin, especially under moist conditions.
2. Fungal Species Involved
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): PSO is typically caused by dermatophytes, though it can be related to yeast-like fungi like Candida. PSO differs from the other forms of onychomycosis and is more classically described in the setting of fungal infection in an individual with impaired immunity or with HIV/AIDS.
Other Forms of Onychomycosis:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): DSO is most often caused by dermatophytes (e.g., Trichophyton rubrum).
White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): This condition is most commonly due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
Candidal Onychomycosis: Due to Candida species, particularly Candida albicans.
3. Clinical Presentation:
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): PSO usually starts with white or yellowish lines near the cuticle, and infection advances under the nail. The nail may also thicken, become discolored, and detach from the nail bed (onycholysis). The infection usually starts near the cuticle and gradually advances to the rest of the nail.
Other Types of Onychomycosis:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): DSO typically begins at the nail tip and causes thickening, yellowing, and crumbling of the nail. The nail plate may also become separated from the nail bed.
White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): It manifests as white, powdery patches on the nail surface.
Candidal Onychomycosis: It causes pain and redness at the cuticle and nail fold, along with pus discharge and swelling. It can also lead to infection of the nail bed and thickening of the nail.
4. Associated Risk Factors:
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): PSO is found more commonly in people with immunocompromised conditions, such as those who have HIV/AIDS infection, diabetes, or immunosuppressed patients. PSO can also be more common in people with poor personal hygiene or with prolonged exposure to wet environments.
Other Types of Onychomycosis:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): Common in individuals with poor foot personal hygiene, individuals in frequent wet environments (e.g., swimmers), or individuals with diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.
White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): This can occur in individuals with compromised immune systems or nail injury.
Candidal Onychomycosis: Commonly found among those with wet conditions or habitual water exposure, like doctors, cooks, or those who use nail polish often.
5. Treatment:
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO): Oral antifungals (e.g., terbinafine or itraconazole) are typically initiated as treatment because the infection is deeper within the nail and more resistant to topical treatments. Topical antifungal therapy may also be used at times. Treatment will probably take months to work.
Other Types of Onychomycosis:
Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (DSO): Usually, this is treated using oral antifungal medication, but where it is milder, topical agents may suffice.
White Superficial Onychomycosis (WSO): This condition can quite often be successfully treated using topical antifungals. Nail debridement (surgery to remove the infected nail surface) may also be necessary.
Candidal Onychomycosis: Topical or oral antifungals (such as fluconazole or itraconazole) treat this, depending on the severity.
Conclusion:
Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis (PSO) differs from other onychomycoses in location, etiologic fungi, and affected population (ordinarily people with compromised immune systems, i.e., persons with HIV/AIDS). PSO tends to start near the cuticle and extend under the nail, as opposed to other types of onychomycosis, which start at the tip of the nail or on the nail surface. Oral antifungals are generally required for treatment of PSO, especially in advanced or refractory infections.
Overcoming Onychomycosis™ By Scott Davis If you want a natural and proven solution for onychomycosis, you should not look beyond Overcoming Onychomycosis. It is easy to follow and safe as well. You will not have to take drugs and chemicals. Yes, you will have to choose healthy foods to treat your nail fungus. You can notice the difference within a few days. Gradually, your nails will look and feel different. Also, you will not experience the same condition again!