Recognize 4 types of nail fungus with a professional pedicurist

Despite being a quite common condition, it's difficult to identify and successfully cure the variants of toenail fungus. Also known as Onychomycosis, this condition can even disfigure and sometimes destroy the nail. In this post, professional pedicurist Wendy-Ann Pompey, will help us learn the different types of nail fungus and understand important facts.

Wendy-Ann's continuous work results in deep foot care knowledge. Many clients and professionals ask her on several occasions about how to treat foot fungus and she explains in a simple way that they are caused by several types of fungi.

“Fungi are microscopic organisms related to mold and mildew. These fungi thrive in dark, moist, and confined environments like inside shoes. As they grow, fungi feed on keratin. Keratin is the protein that makes up the hard surface of the nails, skin and hair.

A group of fungi called Dermatophytes are responsible for most nail fungal infections. However, some fungi and molds also cause these infections”, explain our specialist.

How many types of fungi affect the nails?

There are 4 main subtypes of onychomycosis:

• Distal Subungual Onychomycosis (Subungual refers to the area under the nail)
• Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis
• White Superficial Onychomycosis
• Candidal Onychomycosis

How to heal foot fungus?

Wendy-Ann points out: “Since each type of fungal infection is caused by a different species of fungus, different forms of treatment will be required. These types of fungi can be identified by a trained professional based on the location and appearance of the nail.

The treatment of onychomycosis can be challenging because fungi are responsible for only about one-half of nail dystrophies, therefore the correct diagnosis must be made as misdiagnosis may lead to inadequate treatment, allowing the infection to worsen with extended time, plus this can lead to unnecessary exposure to medications and the increased risk of side effects”

According to this, it is easy to understand that this subject goes beyond what you could imagine and it requires proper knowledge at the time of diagnosis and cure. 

How do you confirm a nail fungal diagnosis?

Pompey agreed that diagnosis can be confirmed via a laboratory test called a potassium hydroxide test. This is done using clippings or scrapings of the infected nail or skin.

What can you tell us about treatments with products like Imperial Feet's Nail Mycosis Solution? 

“As we have noticed, the fungus causes and treatments may vary. However, the most common type which accounts for about 80% of fungal infections is called a dermatophyte. Imperial Feet's Nail Mycosis Solution is guaranteed to treat this type of fungal infection. 

From a professional standpoint, it is my advice that all suspected cases of fungal infections should be checked out by a professional who has in-depth knowledge in this particular field”

Follow Wendy-Ann

We sincerely trust this information has been useful to you. You may find out more about Wendy-Ann through her Instagram accounts @theimperialpedicurist and @imperialfeetcaribbean and tell her if you liked the article and if you are interested in any other topic that we can develop in this blog, our content team will be able to evaluate it. See you next time!