| Black toenails is a sign not only of the developmental | | | | however be softened by use of nail polish removers |
| stage of the nail fungus disease progress, but also of | | | | or glue that is used to stick cosmetics. The resulting |
| the type of fungus that have infected the nail. | | | | condition would be a soft tissue that fungi can colonize |
| Nail fungus is a condition in which fungi colonize a nail | | | | and have their roots into it. |
| and lead to its softening and later complete breaking | | | | You need to watch out against poor immunity if you |
| into pieces. It can be caused by various types of fungi | | | | are to prevent nail fungus. Certain diseases or dietary |
| including the candidas or dermatophytes or | | | | conditions can cause poor immunity and make the |
| non-dermatophtes. This will depend on the environment | | | | body weak against the infection of the fungus. |
| that the individual is in. In cold environments, there are | | | | Systemic diseases such as HIV, cancer and diabetes |
| those fungi that thrive best in those conditions such as | | | | may lower immunity and therefore they are a risk |
| dermatophytic fungi. The candidas and | | | | factor for development of black toenails. Use of some |
| non-dermatophytes are all commonly found in the | | | | medicines such as antidepressants may also lead to |
| tropics. Whichever the climatic conditions, the basic | | | | poor immunity that fail to guard against fungal infection |
| ingredient required for the fungi to thrive is a moist and | | | | of the nails. |
| damp environment. This need not be in the | | | | The formation of black colored nails is a sign of |
| environment, rather in the particular substrate that the | | | | advanced nail fungus infection. Usually, the progression |
| fungi will be growing on. | | | | starts from the formation of yellow plaque on the nail |
| This is why you need to watch out against frequently | | | | plate. This progresses to brown coloring of the nail and |
| wet fingers and fingernails or toes and toenails. The | | | | later to green or black. At the stage of becoming black |
| moisture will provide the medium for mixing of the fungi | | | | toenails, it means that these nails have died and not |
| enzymes and make it easier for them to take root. | | | | able to receive nutrients and oxygen from the body. |
| Another factor that one must take care of is anything | | | | Good diet, prevention of wet conditions and |
| that would reduce or limit the stability of keratin. Keratin | | | | management of the systemic infections can provide a |
| is the hardened part of the nail plate and provides | | | | new lease of life to the black toe nails. |
| protection from any potential pathogens. This can | | | | |