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Nail Fungus

Nail Fungus One of the most common nail ailments, accounting for at least half of all nail disorders, is nail fungus. Most often it affects the nails of the toes, but could also affect the fingernails. Nails are relatively tough and that is why they serve so well to protect our fingers and toes against dirt, injury and infections, however if it does gets infected with a fungus it is also very tough to cure, and fungal infections may recur. There are a number of medications that may be applied to help cure and clear up nails from this ailment.

Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, may infect one or more nails and starts on the tip of the nails and as the infection progresses moves deeper and deeper into the nail. The earlier it is cause the easier it is to cure. Unlike infections of the cuticles caused by dirt and athlete's foot, nail fungus as the name suggest is an ailment of the nails and not the skin. However, though nail fungus and athlete's foot are different issues, they may be caused by the same type of fungus and occur at the same time. In addition nail polish, especially dark nail polish that doesn't allow sun light to penetrate through, when applied to moist nails may trap the moisture creating a great environment for the fungus to develop and grow.

Nail fungus is a serious infection that should be treated as soon as it is discovered, especially for people with weakened immune system and those with diabetes. People with diabetes heal with a great difficulty and the damage caused by the nail fungus infection could cause to open sores and very serious complications. Ignoring it not only makes it harder to treat, but it could also permanently damage the nails, cause other infections and spread to other tissues and organs. As soon as you observe any of the symptoms of nail fungus described below you should consult your physician. If you catch the infection in time the treatment might be to handle than if you let it develop into a more serious problem.

Because with age nails become thicker and grow more slowly older people are more prone to these infections. Men are also more often affected by these infections than women, but disregarding the gender, people with family history of such infections are also generally more susceptible to them. Besides working or living in conditions that put people in warm, dark and humid environment there are a number of other factors that put people more at risk of developing a nail fungus infections, for example smoking, heavy perspiration, skin and nail injuries, problems with circulations as well as weakened immune system and diabetes.

Below is some information about nail fungus and how to deal with it.

What to Look For
What Causes the Infection
Contagious Infection
How Nail Fungus is Treated
How to Prevent a Nail Fungus Infection
 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

In the beginning nail fungus infection appears at the tip of the nail as white or yellow spots, and as it moves in deeper into the nail it eats away at the underside of the nail, and all the dead cells pile up and may change the color of the nail to yellow, green, brown and even black. Besides change in color the nail may thicken, become brittle, with a crumbling and ragged edges, and crumble very easily. While these changes occur under the nail on the top of the nail might loose its shine, and start changing its shape. In addition as the infection progresses the nails may separate from the nail bed and, as it rotted through by the infection, give out an odor. In addition when the fungus starts affecting the skin around the nail the skin start itching, and becomes redish. The discomfort caused around the cuticle might not be felt right away, but in extreme cases when the nail detaches from the nail bed bleeding may occur.

You need to clean and check the appearance of your nails regularly to catch if any of these symptoms start appearing on their own or in combination so that this infection may be caught and treated without causing too much damage. This is not just an issue of unsightly appearance and aesthetics, as the nail breaks off it leaves the toes and fingers exposed to other infections, dirt and causes considerable pain and serious health complication.

WHAT CAUSES THE INFECTION

Fungi are microscopic organisms, which do not require sun to grow, but rather a warm and moist environment. There are many different kinds of fungi, and some cultures have useful uses, while others cause infection and pain. Nail fungus is caused by a fungus, most often belonging to the group called dermatophytes, however they could also be cause by molds and yeasts that develop in similar environments and conditions. Toes and fingers that are continuously exposed to such conditions, for example shower floors, swimming pools or sweaty socks, are a perfect incubation place for such infection to develop and grow.

The fungus may enter your skin and get under your nails through tiniest of cuts as well as small spaces that might occur between the nail and the nail bed that might occur in an injury. However, these organisms are around at all times and cause problems only if the conditions for their growth are favorable (warm and moist) for a continuous, prolonged period of time, otherwise the fungus will starve and not cause any problems.

As was said earlier toenails are much more often prone to these infections because they are more often kept in perfect growing environment for the fungus, the dark, warm, moist conditions within socks and shoes. And when such problems occur instead of dealing with the issue many people tend to hide them in socks and shoes, only increasing the conditions that cause the problem and let the fungus thrive. One more cause for the fungus to occur more often on the toenails is the fact that the blood circulation of the toes is a less than that of fingernails.

CONTAGIOUS INFECTION

Nail Fungus could be a contagious infection. Besides spreading from one nail to many and then to other parts of the body it may also be spread from one person to another. Because fungi can live in water and moist air, be careful in places where many people might walk with bare feet, like locker rooms, public showers or a swimming pool. Besides physically touching nails to infected nails the fungus may also be passed to other people on the dirty pedicure and manicure equipment, which is why it is important to sterilize all of your grooming instruments well, and is preferable to use your personal instruments and not share them with anyone.

HOW NAIL FUNGUS IS TREATED

You physician will be best equipped to tell you how fungus in your type of fungus and state should be treated most effectively. Not all nail problems that have similar appearance are necessarily a nail fungus infections, that is why your doctor will most probably first take a sample of the affected nail and test it to see if the problem is caused by the fungus. Knowing exactly what is causing your particular problem will determine the treatment.
  • Creams & Ointments
    If the doctor does determine that the issue is indeed a fungus infection there are a number of treatments that might be offered. Keep in mind that the treatments might need to be repeated to completely get rid of the infection. In the simpler cases the doctor might recommend an over-the-counter antifungal creams, ointments. They might cause less overall harm, but they are also less effective.

  • Nail Polish
    In mild cases your physician might suggest a treatment using an antifungal nail polish, also called Penlac, or ciclopirox. It is painted daily onto the infected nails and the skin surrounding it for a week. After seven days the layers of the medicated nail polish are removed and the treatment is repeated for up to a year or even longer. This treatment was more effective than the creams and ointments, but research also shows that it completely cured less than 10% of cases in which it was used, even when used regularly.

  • Oral Medication
    The most effective antifungal treatment is the oral medication and currently there are a number of them on the market:
          Lamisil, or terbinafine
          Sporanox, or itraconazole
          Diflucan, or fluconazole

    These medications work to get rid of the infection from inside, by killing the fungus and gradually allowing the infected nail to get replaced with a newly grown out healthy nail. The course of the treatment with oral medications is usually shorter, up to three month, but the results are not seen right away, not until the damaged nail grows out completely. To improve the outcome of the treatment doctors might recommend use of an external antifungal cream or lotion in addition to the oral medication.

    It could take up to a year to completely get rid of the infection. Though these medications are more effective, it is possible that after the treatment for the fungal infection to reoccur, especially if the conditions for the nails are not changed.

    Also, these medications could have very strong side effects, from skin rashes to damaging the liver. The doctors will not recommend these medications to patients with liver or heart diseases. If the patient does not have any prior liver or heart complications before prescribing these medications your physician will first test your liver to see if it can handle these medications. To prevent any complications while the patients are taking these medications they may not consume alcohol.

  • Surgical Treatment
    If the nail infection is at the extreme stage, is very painful and/or if any other treatments are not possible your physician may suggest surgically removing your nail. In most cases a new, healthy nail grows in the place of the removed one.


HOW TO PREVENT A NAIL FUNGUS INFECTION

Last but far from least, the best treatment for the nail fungus is to never get it. Follow these simple rules to prevent nail fungus from occurring.

Even if you can't avoid the fungus itself you can deprive it from the conditions that it needs to grow and develop. It is important to regularly clean and review your nails. Regular grooming of your toenails and fingernails should be a basic part of your standard hygiene.

The basic hygiene rule, don't pull at your cuticle and skin around the nails, that could cause the tears and nicks that would allow fungus to enter under the nail and skin.

In addition you should keep your feet and hands clean and dry. Even if you have to wear socks at all time there are synthetic socks that take away any moisture that forms during perspiration and some could keep your feet cooler.

Make sure to keep your personal grooming instruments clean, sterilized and not shared with anybody else. If you do go to a salon, make sure that they reputable, in addition you may bring your own instruments for each treatment. From time to time give your nails a rest from nail polishes and other products.

When attending a public locker room, shower or pool don't go barefoot, and use an antifungal spray or powder inside your socks and shoes.

If you have to continuously work with water wear rubber gloves and when not in use let the gloves dry out well both inside and out.

Whether you came in contact with an infected nail or not, wash your hands so that you don't unknowingly spread the infection.
Formula 3 Professional Topical Anti-Fungal Medication
Formula 3 Professional Topical Anti-Fungal Medication
by The Tetra Corp.
Fung-Off Nail Conditioner
Fung-Off Nail Conditioner
by Spilo
USA


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