Nail Plaque

Nail plaque is a build up on the finger and toe nails, consisting of a fungus and bacteria in a symbiotic relationship eating away at the nail.

Transmission & Vectors

Nail plaque can be contracted and transmitted through contact with dirt, plants, and anywhere that someone who has the fungus has walked barefoot or touched ungloved.

Symptoms

Nail plaque begins as a thin, nearly imperceptible layer on the nail, then begins to build thicker, starting at the base of the nail and slowly moving its way up, eating at the keratin and soft surrounding skin as it goes. Eventually, it infiltrates under the nail, eating the soft keratin next to the nail bed, before the fungus eventually eats away enough of the nail's anchors for it to fall off.

by Morgan

Treatment

Nail soap is one method of killing the fungal infection and restoring the nail.

Prognosis

Nail plaque is a common and survivable issue, though the longer it is left untreated, the more uncomfortable it becomes. Someone who does not treat the plaque for over three months will likely see their nails begin to unseat and fall off. If bacteria are present, they may begin to eat the nail bed below and surrounding soft tissue- this causes extreme itching and moderate pain.

Prevention

The same plant used in nail soap can be refined through a more expensive method to create a medicated nail polish, which prevents the fungus from attaching to the nail- its primary food source in the beginning of its attack.

Epidemiology

This fungi and bacteria present in nail plaque particularly like hot and humid areas, though they can withstand and even thrive in less than desirable situations for a while, depending on how extreme the situation is. People who visited jungles then returned to their home towns in the plains have been known to cause outbreaks large enough to bring city economies to a stand still as no one wants to exchange currency.

Cultural Reception

People with obvious nail plaque are generally treated the same as everyone else, though they aren't socially permitted to touch products or people without gloves or walk barefoot in common areas. The slight odor that commonly accompanies nail plaque is also a turn off to most people in society, leaving one afflicted by nail plaque also quite lonely.

Type

Fungal

Origin

Natural

Cycle

Short-term

Rarity

Common

Affected Species

• Sypen