Acrylic Nail Fungus

Acrylic nails are artificial nails that are applied as a means of enhancing the appearance of the hands. They may be used to enhance the length of the nails, or to cover up broken, deformed, brittle or discolored nails. When acrylic nails are applied hygienically, by professionals, they are relatively harmless. However, it is poor application of these, or their overuse, that leads to a common problem called acrylic nail fungus. Not only is it common, it can also get dangerous if ignored, and harm your natural nails. If the right application techniques are not followed, there may be a gap that develops between the acrylic nail and your original nail bed. This gap creates the perfect environment for the development of fungus.

The acrylic nail itself cannot be affected by a fungus because it is artificial. The actual affected areas are the nail plate, the skin under the nails, and the skin around the nails. The problem that occurs with recognizing the condition is that the infection is often hidden under the nail, and until the various symptoms become clearly evident, the fungus cannot be identified.

Symptoms

Fungus grows in the presence of moisture, darkness and warmth. This means that the gap that is formed between the acrylic nail and the original nail is the perfect environment for the fungus to grow. The presence of fungus can be identified by the presence of any of the following symptoms.

• Your natural nails may begin to look deformed.
• Your nails may begin to appear discolored, and lose their natural shine.
• This fungal infection is likely to cause brittle nails, that break or crumble easily.
• You may also notice the collection of a powdery residue, as the fungus feasts on the keratin present in the nails.
• The skin around your nails may begin to appear discolored.
• If all these symptoms are not treated, the nail can separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis.

Treatment

Fortunately, if this condition is noticed at the right time, acrylic nail fungus can be effectively treated. You may take some of these measures to treat this problem. First, visit a doctor to identify the presence and severity of the fungal infection. Once confirmed, use prescribed medication and some home treatment measures to deal with the problem.

• Firstly, remove all the acrylic nails. Even if just one finger is affected, get rid of them all before this infection increases or spreads.
• Once you have removed the artificial nails, cut your natural nails as short as possible. Often the nail bed can also get affected by the fungus due to long nails.
• Use the ointment prescribed by your doctor, or an over-the-counter ointment, and apply it on and around the affected area as prescribed.
• Apply tea tree oil on the nail and the skin around it. It has the ability to kill fungal growth, and take care of the infection. Another home remedy is to soak your nails in two parts water and one part vinegar, that also helps in fighting off the infection.
• These treatment procedures may take anywhere between six months and one year, depending on the speed of your nail growth. However, initial improvement should be visible within eight weeks. If no improvement is visible, consult your doctor. In some cases, you may have to take oral medication to treat the problem.

What started out as a procedure to enhance your nails, can take a bad turn and lead to this condition. The worst part is that it can last for very long, and indeed affect the appearance of your nails and hands. The best way to prevent this problem is to avoid the use of acrylic nails, and keep your nails trimmed at all times. However, if you still get tempted and cannot resist getting these enhancements, have it done professionally by a licensed salon or nail technician. Remember to follow the basics of acrylic nail care by using the appropriate products. You don't want to face such hideous and painful problems again.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.