Fingernail Condition ?

This is a nail fungus. I would recommend you see a dermatologist who can correctly idetnify this fungus and give you the proper antibiotics/ointment and treatment you need. This is not somehting oyu cna cure on your on, and yes is spreads. I've only seen this on older peoples feet.....hope you get this cleared up!

Ok. Is there any possibility it could be due to an iron deficiency? I saw in a medical book a similar case and thought that could be it.

Dude, it looks more like a nail fungus. i have seen lots of people wiht this exact looking nail problem. If you want to try it on your own, soak your finger nail in listerine.....this is an old wives tale, but some swear by it. Me, I'd go to the dermatologist and get it over with before it spreads to other nails. Have no idea about the iron (fe) deficiency you noted. Good Luck!

I had nail fungus on toes and fingers.

A general practitioner I saw said that I shouldn't do anything because "many people" get the condition, "nothing really works," and I should just accept it. Not likely.

Saw a foot-doctor. At my request she prescribed Pen-Lac, because it seemed to have worked for me on a prior condition. She also said Listerine and other anti-plaque washes work: just swab the infected area. Keeping the nails cleaned and dry is supposed to help, but now I doubt it. I think the fungus is almost inescapable. Whether it comes from old, moldy books, wet floors, old socks, shoes, sweat, air, or whatever.

So I did both. I used Pen-Lac religiously, cleaned the nails with alcohol ("hic!" ). I was told I could clean them every day, or every few days; I don't know which works better; and ocassionally swabbed them with an anti-plaque.

The toe fungus is very nearly completely gone.

The finger problem, not.
It looks like you have black streaks in your nails, as do I. My toenails had no black streaks but were yellowish and brownish. So I must have two different kinds of nail fungus, or which I have been informed there are "four major categories." So Pen-Lac doesn't always work.

I have been cutting down my finger-nails, the discolored section, a little less than 1/4 the entire nail area, in hopes that exposing the skin and then, if the problem is with the skin underlying the nail finding some way to treat it myself , and if it isn't the skin, I'm hoping once the nail is removed far enough, when it grows back, the problem won't.

Just found out two more " non doctor" remedys that people swear by.
Soak the infected nail(s) in a solution of colorox and water. I'd say half and half mixture to start with.
If this seesm to harsh for you, straight vinegar soaked onto a cotton ball and applied to the affected area. I have discussed this issue with several people of all generations, and although it may take some time, either of these will kill the fungus.