Clinical Features of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis, a superficial fungal infection that destroys the entire nail unit, has become a rather prevalent malady. Once contracted, it is extremely difficult to remove completely. The incidence of onychomycosis is increasing with no real satisfactory cure. Onychomycosis affects persons of all races.

Onychomycosis affects males more commonly than females. However, candidal infections are more common in women than in men. Studies indicate that adults are 30 times more likely to have onychomycosis than children. Onychomycosis has been reported to occur in 2.6% of children younger than 18 years but as many as 90% of elderly people.

Onychomycosis is usually asymptomatic; therefore, patients usually first present for cosmetic reasons without any physical complaints. As the disease progresses, onychomycosis may interfere with standing, walking, and exercising. Patients may report paresthesia, pain, discomfort, and loss of dexterity. They also may report loss of self-esteem and lack of social interaction.

The subtypes of onychomycosis may be distinguished on the basis of their usual presenting clinical features. In distal lateral subungual onychomycosis, the nail shows subungual hyperkeratosis and onycholysis, which is usually yellow-white in color. Yellow streaks and/or yellow onycholytic areas in the central portion of the nail plate are commonly observed.

Endonyx onychomycosis presents as a milky white discoloration of the nail plate, but, in contrast to distal lateral subungual onychomycosis, no evidence of subungual hyperkeratosis or onycholysis is present. Proximal subungual onychomycosis presents as an area of leukonychia in the proximal nail plate that moves distally with nail growth. In proximal subungual onychomycosis caused by molds, leukonychia is typically associated with marked periungual inflammation.

White superficial onychomycosis is confined to the toenails and manifests as small, white, speckled or powdery patches on the surface of the nail plate. The nail becomes roughened and crumbles easily. Molds produce a deep variety of white superficial onychomycosis characterized by a larger and deeper nail plate invasion.

Total dystrophic onychomycosis presents as a thickened, opaque, and yellow-brown nail. In Candida onychomycosis associated with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis or immunodepression, several or all digits are affected by total onychomycosis associated with periungual inflammation. The digits often take on a bulbous or drumstick appearance.

Skin is comprised of the epidermis, and the dermis which is referred to as the true skin. The epidermis has 7 layers which protect and surrounds the true skin. Because the true skin is the reservoir of nourishment, it is the area where many dermatological problems exist, including fungal infections. This is why chemical solutions are often caustic and rather invasive, and usually more ineffective than effective.

Once a cell is infected with fungus it is difficult to selectively inhibit the infection without harming the host cell. As a result, much interest has focused on the anti fungal properties of certain plants as strong allies in restoring health and inhibiting fungal infections. As the antifungal properties of AntiNailFungus-Rx have the demonstrated ability to penetrate all layers of the skin and enter the blood stream via topical application they have received considerable attention.

When seeking to eliminate nail fungus, we hit it hard and fast with AntiNailFungus-Rx utilizing the powerful forces of the phenols in the treatment. These micro particles provide the most rapid absorption; they enter cell membranes with incredible swiftness and have a direct antifungal effect against nail fungus.

Depending on severity of condition, results are generally seen in a matter of days. More severe infections may require several weeks of treatment to achieve full reversal of the condition. Studies of medicinal plant extracts in AntiNailFungus-Rx have the demonstrated ability to destroy the nail fungus, penetrating into all dermal layers providing a direct antifungal action.

AntiNailFungus-Rx helps end nail fungus infections by directly attacking and destroying fungus population infecting nails and nail beds. Results achieved with this product are more than convincing especially in view of the poor efficacy and side effects of treatments using classic synthetic medications. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.