Different Types of Nail Fungus
posted: Jan. 31, 2024.
Toenail fungus is a common condition that can affect anyone. Fungus tend to grow in dark, damp places, and that makes gym shoes and shared locker rooms the best for them to grow. When you aren’t protecting your feet against toenail fungus, it can easily infect your feet and can be difficult to get rid of. Different types of toenail fungus can affect your toenails in different ways. Dr. Justin Pointer and Dr. Nishani Kuruppu at Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle in Waldorf, Clinton, and California, MD, can explain the types of nail fungus and how they can be dealt with.
Different Types of Toenail Fungus
4 main types of toenail fungus can affect you. Each type looks slightly different and might be treated differently. They have different causes, and you may need to treat underlying conditions to avoid further infections. It’s important to find out what type of nail fungus you’re dealing with so your podiatrist in Waldorf, Clinton, and California, MD, can prescribe the best form of treatment.
The first type is known as distal or lateral subungual onychomycosis. This is the most common type of nail fungus and often turns the nail yellow and starts underneath the nail. This can easily spread if you are barefoot in public places, or if you wear old sneakers that may create a breeding ground for fungus.
A less common form is known as white superficial onychomycosis. This tends to affect the surface of the toenails. It starts as white spots that become powdery as the nail begins to crumble.
The third form is proximal subungual onychomycosis. This starts as white spots in the center of the nail bed by the cuticle. They begin to move outward as the nail grows and typically affect those with immune system issues.
The last form is candidal onychomycosis. This is caused by yeast that can make the area around the nail swollen and inflamed. Often this happens when the nail is damaged from an injury or another infection.
Contact Our Podiatrist Today
Find out more about what type of nail fungus you might be dealing with. Contact Dr. Justin Pointer and Dr. Nishani Kuruppu at Southern Maryland Foot & Ankle in Waldorf, Clinton, and California, MD, to learn about nail fungus and the different types. Call for more information at (301) 868-3899 for the office in Clinton, MD, (301) 843-9581 for the office in Waldorf, MD, and (301) 690-6044 for the office in California, MD.