FUNGUS: A microscopic plant commonly known as mold, yeast, and dermatophyte. Only two members can form in or under natural and artificial nails; yeast (candida albicans) and a dermatophyte called trichophyton rubrum. Although most of us are guilty of using the terms mold or fungus interchangeably, mold cannot infect fingernails. Nor can fungus be passed between individuals. True fungal infection is rare and a Doctor must culture the affected tissue to confirm a fungal infection. Fungus can attach itself to the dense keratin cells of the nails digesting the keratin and living within it. The resulting infection is called onychomycosis (tinea of the nails). The infected nail may become thickened, detached or even shed. An accumulation of keratinous cell debris can be found under the free edge of the infected nail. There is no good treatment of fungus, solutions, creams or oils do not penetrate nail, although they may help to control infection in the surrounding skin. Oral systemic infection prescriptions can be a successful treatment, but can cause liver damage and are usually only used in sever cases of fungal infection. The one rule is to always remove any artificial product on the infected nail since covering the nail raises the moisture content of the nail and fungus loves a moist environment.

PARONYCHIA:An infection of the skin around the nail most commonly caused by staphylococci or yeast or fungus. Can be caused by infection of a bitten of hangnail or haphazard pushing back of the cuticle. Bacterial Paronychia is a superficial infection causing small blisters around the nail. when press on these blisters will ooze pus. Another type of Paronychia is fungal. Not only persons who have there hands in water frequently are susceptible, but persons with diabetes as well. This verity is slow to develop, and it is persistent. It is possible to develop a combination of both bacterial and fungal in an infected site. This results in a much more painful and pus filled swellings, and a doctor should be consulted immediately and a culture taken.

PSEUDOMONAS: Those lovely green ones are Pseudomonas (the green pigment is called Pyocyanin),they are caused by a bacterial infection resulting from a moisture accumulation in a lifted area. This can occur on the nail plate or under it. Pseudomonas almost never respond to oral medication. The quickest way to clear an infection is to remove any artificial product covering the infected nail, (If separation of the nail from its bed has occurred, removing the area of nail overlaying the infection will aid in dehydration) and treat with a mixture of equal parts of clear tincture of iodide(white iodine) and rubbing alcohol, I have also seen success using witch hazel. This should be done after any exposure to water. NAILS magazines’ Dr. Kechijian states that the dominant thumb is most likely to develop psudomonas infection. The reason, he states, is that this nail is more likely to be used as a tool of counter-pressure. Each time fine manipulation are made, counter -pressure is applied between the thumbnail and one of the other fingernails subjecting the nail to trauma and separation providing the conditions for psudomonas infection.

This was prepared using medical and nonmedical sources, when in doubt, always seek a doctors advice.