Christine KellerWith green shades becoming a favorite this year, more and more ladies are painting their nails with green. But if you love acrylic nails, there is probably something that you don’t like – the green fungus. What are the green fungus under acrylic nail, then?
Now, don’t panic about getting this green problem just yet. While this nail issue is common, it is completely avoidable. The good news is that there are a lot of ways to treat these greeneries.
Continue reading below to learn more about green fungus that often show up under acrylic nails.
What Happens During Fungal Infections?
The invasive fungi will grow on or in your body during fungal infections. There are numerous kinds of fungi that naturally occur in small quantities in the human body. There are infections that can occur once these fungi become unmanageable. Some infections are also due to certain forms of fungi that are not commonly found in the human body.
Among the relatively common complications of using acrylic nails are fungal infections. Acrylic nails are plastic nails glued on top of your natural fingernails. Most of the time, these infections are not that serious and can be treated with antifungal medicines or home remedies.
Why Does Nail Fungus Form Under Your Acrylic Nails?
About half of all kinds of nail disorders are due to fungal infections and are quite common in those who love acrylic nails. It has been discovered that fungal infections are the cause of the nail issues that some of the ladies suffered from after they removed their acrylic nails.
An adhesive is used for attaching acrylic nails to your own nails. Once these are not put on correctly or become loose, moisture may get caught between your fingernails and the acrylic nails. Fungi tend to flourish in moist settings and might begin growing around this trapped moisture.
The fungal group known as dermatophytes is often the common culprit behind these fungal infections on nails, specifically Trichophyton rubrum.
Symptoms of Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nails
At first, no symptoms may show up even if you already have a fungal infection until the condition progresses.
You may then experience the following once the infection gets worse:
- A bad odor that comes from the infected nail
- A thickened or brittle nail
- A green, yellow, white, or black discoloration
- Itchiness
- Soreness and pain, especially when pressure is applied on the nail
- Redness
- Swelling
How to Remove Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nails
As stated earlier, nail infections can usually clear up by themselves or with the help of home remedies. You may turn to antifungal medications if the infection is more serious.
Home Remedies for Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nails
Once you noticed an infection, the primary step is to remove the acrylic nails first and use water and soap for washing your fingernails. Never put on new nails until the problem has cleared up.
There are some people who anecdotally claim that the home remedies below were able to help them get rid of their infection:
Listerine Mouthwash
There are ingredients in Listerine that have some antifungal properties. There are people who claim that the infection can be cleared up if you soak your finger for 30 minutes in the original Listerine mouthwash.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil contains thymol, a chemical with antifungal properties. You can use a cotton swab to apply oregano oil to the affected nail twice daily.
Tea Tree Oil
It has been revealed that this type of oil can help in the treatment of nail fungus. You can try to apply oil to the nail with infection twice a day.
Vicks VapoRub
It seems that Vicks VapoRub has positive clinical effects when it comes to getting rid of toenail fungi. A small amount of Vicks VapoRub can be applied to your finger once daily.
Vinegar
Vinegar has an acidic content that can hinder the growth of bacteria and fungi. You can try to soak your finger in the mixture of vinegar and warm with a ratio of 2:1.
Medical Treatments for Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nail
Most of the time, there is really no need for any medical treatments for nail fungal infections except when the problem turns severe. These severe cases of fungal infections are often most typical in people who have suppressed immune systems, like people living with HIV or those who are undergoing chemotherapy.
Terbinafine, an oral antifungal medication, is the gold standard treatment. You can only get this with a prescription, though, and you might also need to use this for a few months.
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There are also other types of antifungal medications that can be prescribed by doctors, including:
- griseofulvin
- itraconazole
- fluconazole
When to See Your Doctor If You Have Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nails
Again, many of these fungal infections are going to clear up by themselves or with the help of several home remedies.
However, it will always be a great idea to consult your doctor to get an antifungal prescription when the home remedies don’t have any effects or if the condition causes you some serious discomforts.
Immunosuppressed people might also want to seek treatment from their doctor to ensure that they don’t suffer from more serious infections.
Ways to Prevent Green Fungus Under Acrylic Nails
Below are some tips to help you prevent green fungus under acrylic nails:
- Avoid placing some sharp or pointy objects under your acrylic nails.
- Always dry your nails properly after taking a bath or going for a swim.
- Choose a reputable salon that observes good hygiene habits for getting your acrylic nails on.
- If you are susceptible to fungal infection, you can use antifungal powder or spray on your nails.
- Ensure that your hands are always dry as much as possible.
The Bottom Line
Green fungus under acrylic nails is quite common. This problem is often the result of moisture that got trapped under the nails which can lead to excessive growth of fungi. Many of these fungal infections are not that serious and can be easily treated with some home remedies. Prescription antifungal medications, on the other hand, can help clear up more serious infections.
