Nail Fungus 

  Tinea Unguium     

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If your fingernail or more particularly your toenail, is discolored and thickened, then you may have a mychotic, that is a fungal infection.

Nail Fungus, or Onychomycosis or Tinea Unguium  -  Nail Fungus is caused by the presence of tiny organisms, technically known as, Tinea Unguium. A fungus that can affect fingernails and toenails. The nails of our fingers and toes are usually a very effective barrier to germs and the like, and it is quite difficult for a simple infection to invade the nail, or body. Nevertheless, this takes into consideration that your nails, and the skin of your hands and feet are in good condition and have no abrasions or cuts.

Diseases caused by fungi and parasites are relatively uncommon in developed countries. Fungal infections, also known as mychotic infections, may affect the skin surfaces or the internal organs of the body. The superficial mychotic infections are generally not serious and include such well-known disorders as Athlete's Foot or less commonly know - Tinea Pedis, caused by the dermatophyte Trichophyton. Deep mycotic infections such as histoplasmosis and candidiasis are potentially life-threatening. Other parasites that attack humans range in size from unicellular organisms such as Entamoeba histolytica to such multicellular forms as tapeworms and roundworms. Most parasitic infestations are encountered in the less-developed areas of the world where sanitation is not optimal. Indeed, parasitic infestations constitute major causes of death in regions of Central and South America, Africa, India, and Asia.

However, Tinea Unguium are very small, and can penetrate the smallest of inclusions.  Once an infection has set up residence, they quickly spread under and up into the nail and the small opening that let them in, can heal up sealing them inside, so that the same protective barrier that was so effective in protecting us against infection, now works against us, making it much more difficult to treat the infection. The fungus now lives underneath the nail, and is provided a safe place to grow.

Maybe 500 million people around the world have some problem that affects their nails and its cause is a fungus. Look at your nails, especially on your feet; as your nails grows and leave the fleshy base that supports them, they become whitened, because it no longer has the pink flesh underneath it.

If behind this white part, there is a darker or reddened area, you may have some infection, and you need to seek further assistance.

     Read about Smelly Feet    

Fungi    -   A group of organisms usually regarded as plants and including mushrooms, mildews, moulds, yeasts, etc. All fungi lack chlorophyll and therefore cannot manufacture their own food through photosynthesis. Some feed on dead organic matter; others are parasites. The body of most fungi consists of a network of branching threadlike structures (hyphae), forming a mycelium. 

Sexual reproduction results in the formation of spores, which may be produced in a structure called a fruiting body: this is the visible part of mushrooms. Other fungi consist of single cells, which can reproduce asexually by simple division. Fungi are found worldwide. 

Some bring about decomposition of dead organic matter, like bacteria; others (e.g. Penicillium and Streptomyces) are a source of antibiotics. Many parasitic fungi cause diseases or destroy timber (see dry rot). Some fungi associate with algae to form lichens.

Fungi on humans are multi-celled, plant-like organisms that usually are not dangerous to a healthy person. Fungi cannot produce their own food from soil, water, and air, so instead, they get nutrition from plants, food, and animals in damp, warm environments, that is they feed off you as they would a rotting tree. 

Two common fungal infections include Athletes Foot and Yeast Infections. People who have weakened immune systems, from diseases like AIDS or Cancer may develop more serious fungal infections.

Nail polish and plastic or acrylic nails can not only mask a problem, but entrap moisture and fungi. The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, gyms, and locker rooms, are a breeding ground for this fungi.

It is very contagious, and the general public, particularly men, will ignore this problem, carrying the fungus with them throughout life, innocently passing it on to members of their family, and or swimming / sports clubs. 

The toenails are more likely to be infected than fingernails, by a factor of ten, but this is only because we clean our hands many times more than we do our feet. We only seem to a toenail fungus more often, because socks and shoes keep the toenails dark, warm, and moist, and this allows them to florish.

In serious case; conditions that have been ignored and allowed to get a hold, often cause the area around the front, and the sides of the nail to become red and irritated. As the Tinea Unguium multiplies, the nail and the fleshy base show changes.

There is often mild discomfort, itchiness, or even pain around the cuticles. Bleeding or detachment of the cuticles may occur. The nail  becomes much more discolored, with a yellow or even green hue.