Nail Fungus Causes
Fungi are microscopic organisms that don't need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses, while others cause illness and infection. Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a fungus that belongs to a group of fungi called dermatophytes. But yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. All of these microscopic organisms live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools and showers. They can invade your skin through tiny invisible cuts or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed. They cause problems only if your nails are continually exposed to warmth and moisture — conditions perfect for the growth and spread of fungi.Infection with nail fungus occurs more in toenails than in fingernails because toenails are often confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes — where fungi can thrive. Another reason may be the diminished blood circulation to the toes as compared with the fingers, which makes it harder for your body's immune system to detect and eliminate the infection.
Is it Possible to Get Artificial Nail Fungus From Nail Shops
Artificial nails have come to stay. It is rare to find a woman who doesn’t wear it these days. This naturally follows that they are used in covering their natural toes and to make them more beautiful. However, women have been known to use artificial nails to cover up nail fungus infection hence resulting in a coined word “artificial nail fungus”. Unfortunately, this doesn’t cure nor solve the problem. Instead, it worsens it. Let me explain. Nail fungus grows in a favorable environment in which there is a lot of moisture and it is dark. Now when you apply artificial nails to the already infected toe nails, it creates an environment that is both dark and has a lot of moisture. Since these fungi grow only in areas that are airless and on feet that are both damp and warm, the artificial nail thus inhibits the easy flow of air around the toenail. Fungal nail infections are more common among the toe nails than among the finger nails. But please note that any finger nail that isn’t natural but attached to the real finger nail is a huge contributor to the spread of the fungal infection. It is understandable that when the nails look yellowed as a result of the infection, the natural inclination is to want to put it out of sight and hide because of the stares you get on the fingers or toenails. But know that when you hide the nails under artificial nails, you are creating a more enabling environment that will foster the faster growth and spread of the fungus. So, while it is covered, no one else of course sees the nails while it keeps getting destroyed and the condition worsens. If this gets to the extreme, you may not even be able to hide it any longer as the nail becomes so bad that it is virtually impossible to even apply the artificial nails. This is the reason it is better for you to nip the “monster” in the bud.The spread of the fungus nail infection is even more common among the women than men because of the flourishing beauty industry. It is common fact that women these days visit nail shops where professional nail experts help apply the artificial nails they want. Now, it very easy for women to get their pedicures and manicures done for them at these shops and because of this, nail spas are very rampant and well patronized by women and even some men. However, these same shops which are a source of satisfaction to women can also be a source of sadness as they beautiful nails they go to sculpt their nails, can become infected by the nail fungus infection. This is possible because certain women who also visit these shops may have the nail fungus growing in their fingernails.
Nail Fungus Complications
Nail fungal infections can be painful and may cause permanent damage to your nails. They may also lead to other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet if you have a suppressed immune system due to medication, diabetes or other conditions. Fungal infections of the nail pose the most serious health risk for people with diabetes and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with leukemia or those who've had an organ transplant. If you have diabetes, your blood circulation and the nerve supply to your feet can become impaired. Therefore, any relatively minor injury to your feet — including a nail fungal infection — can lead to a more serious complication, requiring timely medical care. See your doctor immediately if you suspect nail fungus.
Nail Fungus Symptoms
You may have a nail fungal infection — also called onychomycosis (on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis) — if one or more of your nails are: * Thickened * Brittle, crumbly or ragged* Distorted in shape* Dull, with no luster or shine. A dark color, caused by debris building up under your nail infected nails may also separate from the nail bed, a condition called onycholysis. You may even feel pain in your toes or fingertips and detect a slightly foul odor.
Nail Fungus Risk factors
Nail fungus is more common among older adults for several reasons, including diminished blood circulation, more years of exposure to fungi and because nails may grow more slowly and thicken with aging, making them more susceptible to infection. Nail fungus also tends to affect men more than women and those with a family history of this infection. Resistance to fungal infection likely has a genetic component. These factors also can increase your risk of developing nail fungus:* Perspiring heavily* Working in a humid or moist environment* Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and don't absorb perspiration* Walking barefoot in damp public places, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms. A minor skin or nail injury, a damaged nail or another infection Diabetes, circulation problems or a weakened immune system.
Nail Fungus Prevention
To help prevent nail fungus and reduce recurrent infections, practice good hand and foot hygiene by following these steps: * Keep your nails short, dry and clean. Trim nails straight across and file down thickened areas. Thoroughly dry your hands and feet, including between your toes, after bathing.* Wear appropriate socks. Synthetic socks that wick away moisture may keep your feet dryer than do cotton or wool socks (you can also wear synthetic socks underneath other socks). Change them often, especially if your feet sweat excessively. Take your shoes off occasionally during the day and after exercise. Alternate closed-toe shoes with open-toed shoes.* Use an anti-fungal spray or powder. Spray or sprinkle your feet and the insides of your shoes. * Wear rubber gloves. This protects your hands from overexposure to water. Between uses, turn the rubber gloves inside out to dry.* Don't trim or pick at the skin around your nails. This may give germs access to your skin and nails.* Don't go barefoot in public places. Wear shoes around public pools, showers and locker rooms.* Choose a reputable manicure and pedicure salon. Make sure the salon sterilizes its instruments. Better yet, bring your own. * Give up nail polish and artificial nails. Although it may be tempting to hide nail fungal infections under a coat of pretty pink polish, this can trap unwanted moisture and worsen the infection.* Wash your hands after touching an infected nail. Nail fungus can spread from nail to nail.
The Best Tips to Curing Nail Fungus
Nails must be kept clean and dry always and breath fresh air. Nail fungus naturally occurs on toenail. Some reason is wearing shoes that are tied too tight, wearing shoes for a very long time can cause your feet to perspire and build fungus. Borrowing of nail cutter and other tools from other people might also cause you the transferring of fungus, because if the user has fungus infection it might get to you. Trauma can be one of the reasons for its cause. If one of your gets injured it allows the bacteria to get in. Those people with low immune system have a great chance of getting this disease. Once it occurs in one toenail it spreads to other nails at the same feet. There are mild and aggressive kinds of medications. It can be treated in the traditional way, self treated, or it can be doctor prescribed. Most probably it is much to be preferred by doctors to guarantee the effectiveness and safeness of the treatment. Some medicines can cause side effects especially on those people who are suffering from liver diseases and can also cause allergies because of its high toxic contents. People who have depressed immune systems like those people with problem in their circulatory system, Diabetic people, elderly people and those who have HIV. Medication for nail fungus is a long-term treatment. Awareness in preventing it can minimize its risk to preserve your healthy nail. It takes almost 3 months to be done. In three months, while your nails grow, the medicine applied prevents the fungi from growing, bringing back the healthy nail. Curing Nail fungus has its success rate at 60–80 percent and it is not assured that it will not occur again. In fact it has a 15 percent chance to reoccur.Nail Fungus is a long lasting kind of infection. That is why after treating it the doctors still recommend their patients to continue the use of anti-fungal creams. This is to prevent another build up of fungus infection. The best way to keep a healthy nail is to keep your hygiene always. To prevent fungus infection we must follow some certain methods. The first is, wear open footwear as much as possible. Second, change socks immediately if it becomes damp or wearing absorbent socks is more preferable. Third, don’t wear high top boots if not needed. Fourth, Treat fungus as early as you can to stop its spreading.
Things to Look For When Treating Nail Fungus
Nail fungus has been a big problem for many people since it first appeared on earth. Consequently people have been so irritated with it and have tried to fix their problem, in numerous ways, in both conventional and unconventional terms. Surgery, topical solutions, medicine and various plant remedies, and any other imaginable concoctions have been developed to permanently cure this problem. So many people were so hyped up into curing themselves of this problem that they buy countless medicines and various solutions that has helped the industry balloon up. Such actions against nail fungus are drastically made, but one would eventually think, are the medicines claiming that their unique formulas are the best worth their hefty prices? Although in the market there are available nail fungus remedy products that do actually work well, not all of these creams can be trusted. There are some “medicines” or “remedies” that are just plain scams, and they do not help the person who is suffering even for the small bit. While there are scam treatments, there are also some which are very effective in treating the ailment. Such medicines are not effective solutions because nail fungus should not be taken that lightly, as it is also bacteria. As it should be, people should first make an extensive investigation when it comes to the treatments that they are interested in undergoing because any kind of medication affects ones body. One must remember that the creams that are for combating nail fungus creams cannot function as perfectly when they are only used alone. The professional medical experts who have studied nail fungus strongly suggest that one should take special pills that are made for targeting nail fungus and not just depend on nail fungus creams. If you give all your faith to topical creams alone, well this is not a good idea as your nail fungus will not disappear quickly. Another focus that should be pointed out to a person who is having nail fungus problems is the fact that nail fungus strongly damages ones (used to be) healthy nail, and a nail which is not in a good condition (especially if it is already dead and black) should not be left unnoticed. Not only is it unsightly but it is also a health problem. This is where oral medicine comes in, as approved medicines and prescribed by doctors should quickly treat one’s nail fungus problems.
What Nail Fungus Remover Is The Best
Toenail fungus has a medical term of “onychomycosis” but the most frequently used term is “fungal toenails”. Onychomycosis expresses together fungus and yeasts illness in the nail. Men get the nail disorder more than women. This is also affects elderly diabetics. Back in year 1800s, cases of fungal toenails are minimal. The swelling number of infected people is related to high contact to fungus which is usually accumulated though the utilization of public shower rooms in gyms, hot tubs, saunas and public swimming pools. Factors that are main causes of toenail fungus are due to maturing, being a male, nail trauma, perspiring feet, deprived circulation, foot fungus and weak immune system. Athletes are more prone to have fungus infection. Perspiration in the shoe joined with frequent nail trauma adds to the possibility of infection. Athletes bearing slack fitting shoes which permits congestion of the nails next to the shoe and anyone who is wearing shoes that are too tight are at greater risk of building up toenail fungus. There are many nail fungus removers. One of the treatments for fungus is through oral anti-fungal treatment. The most popular of these medications are Sporonox and Lamisil. These medications can be costly and is to be in used once a day for three months. The efficiency of these medications may vary from 60-80% and reappearance time is 15%. Lamisil shows to be much efficient and has lesser side effects compared with Sporonox. Taking these medications has been proven to produce benevolent drug interactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, taste disorders and lightheadedness. Serious unpleasant incidents but very rare to occur which comprises hepatitis and also acute hepatic necrosis.This topical solution can only be purchased with prescription and can also be costly. Other prescriptions that are proven to lessen the thickness of the infected nails are Keralac Nail Gel and Carmol 40. This can definitely lessen the thickness and yellowing of the nail in several incidents.
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