What causes fungal infections and how should I treat them?

Answer

Nail technicians can't actually treat fungal infection, but they should be able to recognize some of the signs of this problem. The green spots frequently seen on clients with extensions are more often pseudomonas and frequently are confused for fungus. (See the next question.) Fungus organisms love to infest wide, open spaces. Keeping nails trimmed short will help prevent this, thus reducing trauma and creating less area for the fungus to invade. Keep in mind that fungal infections occur more often in toenails than in fingernails due to the moist environment in shoes. There are topical and oral medications available for treating nail fungus, which should be discussed with a dermatologist. The yeast fungus, candida, thrives in open spaces beneath the nail plate and is often the culprit in this situation. If the infection persists, antifungal therapy should be administered by a dermatologist.