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Is it Mold? or Fungus? or The Greenies?

Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc., Talk of the Town, August 2000

When a greenish-black discoloration appears on the nail plate, it is most likely a ‘pseudomonas’, a type of bacterial infection, aka, "The Greenies". The greenies are caused from moisture being trapped between the artificial nail and the natural nail.

"THE GREENIES" are directly related to the artificial nail not adhering properly. If there is anyway moisture can seep between the artificial nail and natural nail, it can be the perfect breeding ground for the ‘greenies’. The breeding ground needs warmth and moisture (basic food for pseudomonas). So, the greenies are found on the nail plate and not under the free-edge.

"THE GREENIES", aka, a pseudomonas bacterial infection is not a mold. The term ‘mold’ has been used for over 20 years in the nail industry to describe, what has most likely been a pseudomonas bacteria. But ‘mold’ is not the correct scientific term. Whereas mold is a fungus and ‘the greenies’ aka, pseudomonas bacteria, is not a fungus, but bacteria.

"The greenies" can be easily spread, usually with un-sterilized files, nail dust from filing, cosmetic dusting brushes, and anything not cleaned before next client, but the greenies are easily killed.

When a nail has the greenies it is recommended to remove any artificial covering and expose the greenies to the air. Then apply T.T. ‘Fresh-Nail’ to the affected area for about 1 minute, either with a T.T. Towelette or full submersion of the affected nail.

The stain is permanent and will have to grow out. You should be able to apply a new artificial nail immediately, unless the natural nail is very soft, then you should leave artificial nail off for 2 weeks and check at the next appointment.

Using the T.T. Sanitize often during the day will help rid nails & hands of bacteria.

Is it Onycholysis or

Onychomycosis?

Fungus ...
Loosening of the nail plate is Onycholysis. The basic normal causes can be drilling on top of the natural nail plate (trauma to nail bed), strong chemicals or detergents, picking artificial nails off instead of soaking them off and a puncture to the hyponychium.

Onycholysis is the perfect environment for a fungal infection to grow. Which can cause Onychomycosis, a fungal infection that can cause the nail plate to lift away from the nail bed (Distal subungual & Candida).

There are four basic types of Onychomycosis: 1. Distal subungual, 2. White superficial, 3. Proximal subungual, 4. Candida. Types 1 & 4 can cause nail plate to lift from nail bed and are probably the most common ones that nail tech’s see.

Fungus is very difficult to kill and it is very contagious. An antifungal treatment must penetrate all the layers of the nail (keratin) and skin surrounding the nail.

- Fungus ... cont.

(In talking to a doctor in Newport Beach, California, he said that he did not like the oral medications like Griseofulvin, where the cure rate is low and there are side-effects for fingernail and toenail fungus, nor did he like the idea of the medication traveling throughout the body and through the liver before it got to the fingernail or toenails. And, this would also entail additional testing of the liver to see if it could handle it. A good topical product would be best.)

Onycholysis (loosening of nail plate) is not a fungus but it is susceptible to fungus. This is why we recommend scrubbing with T.T. Anti-Bacterial Soft Soak and a plastic manicure brush followed by T.T.‘Thymolize’

underneath the free-edge, especially with artificial nails, at least once a day as prevention. So if they do get onycholysis, the T.T. Thymolize should help prevent it from becoming a fungus, onychomycosis.

Fungus is not a virus. Fungus is not a bacteria. Fungus is a fungus. Mold is a Fungus.

If you do have a fungus, we recommend removing the artificial nail(s) completely and treating with T.T. Thymolize, 3-5 times a day underneath the free-edge at the hyponychium, every day until the natural nail reattaches.

The same goes for toenails.

If you do not see any improvement within 7 days, refer the client to a physician.