Also known as nail fungus, this infection is caused by pathogenic fungi belonging to the dermatophyte, yeast and mold groups.
Onychomycosis, therefore, is not a simple cosmetic defect, but a real disease which, as such, must be treated. For this reason, timely diagnosis and consequent rapid treatment are essential.
Classification and Types
Depending on how the onychomycosis manifests itself and the ways in which the pathogenic fungi attack the nail, it is possible to distinguish different types of mycosis which will be briefly described below.
and debris deriving from the same fungi that originated the disease. The accumulation of all these materials can lead to onycholysis (detachment of the nail), therefore to the loss of the affected skin annex.
The microorganisms responsible for this infection can be both dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.
(immunosuppression); for example, it seems to be particularly common in AIDS patients.Occasionally, proximal subungual onychomycosis may also be secondary to trauma.
white in color with well-defined contours (leukonychia); due to their characteristic color and shape, these spots are sometimes described as "white islands".However, in some cases, whitish streaks may appear in place of the well-defined patches mentioned above. In addition to the chromatic alteration, the nails involved undergo changes in texture, becoming rough but soft and brittle.
Superficial white onychomycosis is generally caused by dermatophytes, more specifically, by Trichophyton mentagrophytes And T. rubrum.
There is also an "other, more rare variant of superficial onychomycosis caused by the variety melanoid from T. rubrum and known as black superficial onychomycosis.
; in such situations, the most commonly implicated pathogenic microorganism is Candida albicans (a yeast).antifungals can prove to be useful and effective in solving the problem.
In the most serious and particularly advanced cases, however, it may be necessary to resort to oral pharmacological therapies and / or - in cases of extreme severity - even surgical interventions.
For this reason, as soon as you notice changes in the appearance, color and texture of one or more nails, it would be advisable to promptly contact your doctor, in order to obtain a quick diagnosis and put into practice a timely and appropriate treatment.
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