Myth : It Means Youre Unhygienic
Fungal nails have many exacerbating conditions poor hygiene is certainly one but not the only one. Those who suffer from sweaty feet and those prone to athletes foot are also common sufferers of fungal nail. Trauma to the nail is another cause of fungal nail and factors such as sharing shoes or socks.
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Is Nail Fungus Contagious Through Nail Polish
So can nail fungus spread through nail polish? The quick answer is that it would be very rare to get a nail fungal infection by sharing nail polish, but its not impossible.
The nail polish itself is a variety of harsh chemicals. It contains a chemical cocktail of ingredients that are toxic to organic materials. So it can be possible that the nail polish you use contains at least a few of these ingredients. Many of the chemicals feature in nail polish makes it extremely difficult for nail fungus to spread to other nails.
Covering up your nail fungus with polish isnt a good idea and we dont necessarily recommend anyone doing it. Because polishing your nails can make the infection worse and it will be harder to cure even with the strongest fungal treatment on the market.
However, nail fungus is easier to treat at its early stage, so as soon as you realize you have a fungal infection, instead of covering it up with nail polish we recommend that you get it treated as soon as possible.
Are There Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus
The Internet is filled with anecdotal information on how to cure toenail fungus using home remedies. Vinegar is a commonly recommended home remedy. Some people apply various oils such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, essential oils, and oil of cedar leaf to their nails as well. The effectiveness of these home remedies is highly doubtful. Application of household bleach and hydrogen peroxide is also not recommended due to lack of evidence that these treatments work. These agents can also cause unwanted skin irritation. Thickened nails that have been affected by fungus can be difficult to trim. Using topical urea cream will soften the nail and make it easier to trim. These creams do not require a prescription.
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Is Nail Fungus Contagious Through Nail Polish Health Risks
Is it possible for nail fungus to spread through nail polish? This is a common question asked by many people.
Upon discovery of nail fungus, many people mask their nails by applying regular nail polish and just hoping that the fungal infection goes away one day.
This is not a good idea, as it allows the fungus to grow even bigger and may also spread to other parts of your body.
Can I Prevent Toenail Fungus When Painting My Nails
Toenail fungus is never 100% preventable. There are too many factors that can cause it to spread and be picked up. But when youre painting your nails, there are some precautions you can take.
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Nail Polish And Toenail Fungus
Nail polish may make your toes look pretty, but it can also cause toenail fungus. Heavy nail polish tends to block light, creating an environment more conducive to fungal growth, Zinkin says. So give your toenails a break from polish periodically.
If you’re treating yourself to a pedicure, take note: Toenail fungus can be transferred through nail files and clippers, so make sure the salon properly sanitizes all tools after each customer. And you may want to schedule your appointment in the morning because pedicure instruments and footbaths are typically cleanest at the beginning of the day.
Medicated Nail Polish :
Antifungal ointments and creams are ineffective for treating nail fungus. They are designed for use on skin and cannot penetrate your nails. Just one type of nail fungus can be treated with cream: superficial white onychomycosis.
Penlac and Jublia are prescription medications that target fungal infections of the nails. These topical medications are suitable for minor infections affecting the tips of your toenails only. Patients must patiently stick to the treatment if they want to see results. They must also care for their nails on a daily basis for several months.
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The Secret Society Of Sufferers
Even though its so easy to catch, toenail fungus embarrasses people. Its a hush-hush topic and only a fraction of the estimated 55 million Americans who have the condition seek treatment in a doctors office.
Im part of this secret society of tonail fungus sufferers. We can, like, band together and have meetings or something, said Liz, a Philadelphia mom in her thirties. She doesnt want to use her full name for this interview. It looks terrible if you dont maintain it, and I mean toenail fungus? That is the grossest thing!
It started about 10 years ago when Liz cracked her big toe nail. After that, the nail started to look funny and became discolored. Then it spread to three more toes on that foot. When Liz realized she had nail fungus, she was faced with another unpleasant fact: Its really hard to treat.
The toenails have the smallest blood vessels, explained podiatrist Tracey Vlahovic. They are the furthest away from the heart. Its going to take anywhere from six months to a year, to even two years for some people, for the nail to grow from cuticle to the tip of the nail.
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What Causes Nail Fungus
Nail fungus occurs when fungi, yeast, or mold infect the skin. These types of infections are more likely to affect toenails than fingernails, and can be associated with athletes foot. Symptoms typically include white, brown, or yellow discoloration of the nail or thickening, cracking, and/or brittleness of the nail. If left untreated, the area of the infection can become painful.
There are several risk factors for developing nail fungus: tight shoes damaged nails walking barefoot in moist areas like swimming pools, saunas, and public showers poor blood circulation in your legs a weakened immune system and other skin conditions, such as psoriasis. You may even have a genetic predisposition to developing nail fungus.
Here at North Central Texas Foot & Ankle, well assess your specific case, perform tests to get to the bottom of the issue, and determine which treatment to provide you based on the test results.
The Best Thing To Do About Your Fungal Toenails Is Treat Them
The best way to keep fungal toenails from worsening or spreading is to treat them as early as possible. And thanks to laser treatment technology, eradicating your fungal infection is a lot safer, more convenient, and more effective than it used to be.
To learn more about how we treat fungal toenails at our office, be sure to check out our service page. And if youre ready to request an appointment with Dr. Patel or Dr. Harpaz, just give us a call at or fill out the form below today!
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On My First Visit Dr Patel Diagnosed The Problem As Plantar Fasciitis And Began Treatment
I was dealing with nearly unbearable pain in my left foot. I was barely able to get through each day. I was sure my neuropathy was the problem. I went to a local podiatrist who told me the only problem I had was the neuropathy in my feet and I needed to see a neurologist. After conferring with my family doctor he referred me to Dr. Sanjay Patel.
On my first visit, Dr. Patel diagnosed the problem as Plantar Fasciitis and began treatment. After following Dr. Patels advice I no longer have pain in my left foot.
Sizing Up Risk Factors
People who have chronic athletes foot are at risk for developing toenail fungus, and there seems to be a genetic predisposition. Sometimes the fungus gets into the nail bed after the nail was cracked or cut too short. The fungus also lurks in shared showers, around pools and a lot of Vlahovics patients tell her their troubles started after getting a pedicure.
The very place where people go to beautify their feet and toenails is often responsible for spreading disease, says Tennessee podiatrist Dr. Robert Spalding. He has written a book called Death by Pedicure and has been on a decade-long crusade to make nail salons safer.
They use contaminated instruments, in some cases, or they dont take the time to properly disinfect and follow their state protocols, Spalding said. Nail fungus and other microorganisms are really tough to kill, and Spalding says the only sure-fire way to sterilize the instruments is to use something called an autoclave.
An autoclave is basically a pressure cooker, he said. Its steam under pressure, for a certain amount of time. Its how instruments are cleaned for surgery.
The foot-soaking tubs are another cesspool of infection that Spalding says some salons are eliminating. Now they are going to tubs that have liners. They dont use the jets as much. And they are coming up with something called a dry pedicure, where they just take hot towels and soak the feet, Spalding said.
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An Abundance Of Pseudoscience
A tough problem that embarrasses people makes for a fertile breeding ground for pseudoscience and old wives tales which Liz found when researching online.
Hydrogen peroxide, bleach. I mostly use tea tree oil and lavender, she said.
The abundance of miracle cures touted online makes Tracey Vlahovics life difficult at times.
Oh, dont get me started. If I had a dollar for everything I had heard, Id be a millionaire at this point, she said. From benign treatments such as essential oil, vinegars and mouthwash to the noxious bleach option, Vlahovic has seen it all. Its not just about applying something to the nail, it has to be something that will get through the nail plate and into the nail bed where the infection is. So, it doesnt matter what you use, it has to be able to penetrate.
What Kills Toenail Fungus On Clippers
How Can I Sterilize My Nail Clippers Water and rubbing alcohol First, soak your clippers in a bowl specifically reserved for this purpose, with some boiling hot water and dish soap for about 30 minutes. Bleach Bleach is incredibly effective at killing pathogens, and as such works well as a disinfectant against fungi and bacteria.More items
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Locker Rooms And Toenail Fungus
If youre a swimmer, you neednt worry about a chlorinated pool increasing your risk of toenail fungus, but the locker room is another story. Wet, humid areas are prime for breeding for toenail fungal infections. Swimmers should always wear foot gear in the locker rooms and showers, Zinkin says. Also, dry your feet thoroughly after swimming and showering and before slipping back into your regular shoes.
How To Prevent A Nail Infection In The First Place
Trim your nails carefullyingrown nails can arise from cutting nails too short at the edges, since as they grow out they can catch skin. Cut nails straight across and get rid of any pointy corners. And never share clippers, as this can spread infection from person to person even consider bringing your own tools to a professional mani or pedi.
Its also important to wash your feet with soapy water, being sure to get in between your toes, to prevent fungus or bacteria from building up and be sure to dry them thoroughly, since fungus loves a moist environment. Wear breathable socks and use antifungal spray or powder if going sock-less.
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What Tests Might I Have For Toenail Fungus
Your provider will probably take a small sample from underneath your nail to further analyze it. Viewing the cells under a microscope can confirm a toenail fungus diagnosis. If the initial test is negative, a scraping can be sent to see if the fungus grows out in a culture. It also helps your provider identify the type of fungus.
Antifungal Oral Medication :
Lamisil and Sporanox are oral medications used to treat more severe nail fungus infections, especially in cases where the nail bed is affected. This medication must be taken daily or at prescribed intervals for 3 to 6 months. The medication travels through your blood to the nail bed. Since nails, like hair, dont have blood circulating in them, these treatments work especially if the nail matrix is infected.
Also, oral medications can cause side effects, including liver damage, heartburn, changed taste perception, nausea and vomiting. For that reason, oral antifungal medications arent suitable for everyone. Patients should see their family physician for a full check-up and blood test to check liver function before and during the treatment.
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How To Make Nails Look Better With Fungus
Anyone with nail fungus will do whatever it takes to make their nails look more attractive. The best way to make your nails look better with fungus is by treating them. Nail fungus needs to be treated properly before considering to just covering it up with something like a normal nail polish. its normal to want to cover up your nails or change the appearance somehow.
If you do want to cover them up i recommend using a antifungal nail polish, you can check Dr.s REMEDY Anniversary 3 Piece Boxed Set on Amazon. its a powerful treatment that helps to treat nail fungus while providing a beautiful cover-up solution. The polish can be worn on toenails for up to 3 weeks at a time and up to a week on fingernails.
Dr.s REMEDY Anniversary 3 Piece Boxed Set is one of the most popular antifungal nail polish on the market today. Its also the only polish with the American podiatric association seal of approval. As you can see the formula was developed by doctors. If you catch nail fungus in early stage you can use a few coats to get the desired effects. The polish is available in a variety of colors such as resilient rose, brave berry, playful pink, clarity coral and more. No one will know the difference between it and regular nail polish.
General Effects Of Nail Paints On Nails
Generally, nail paints are made up of a polymer , which when applied the solvent evaporates, leaving a layer of polymer on the nail plate. When kept for too long, this polymeric layer drains the moisture of nails, making them brittle and uneven. Making the nails more susceptible to fungal infections.
So a link can be formed between applying nail paint for a long cause fungal infection, as prolonged exposure to nail colors might cause pitting, which further can harbor various fungal infections. In an article by John D. Hollander DPM in California, USA, the fungus can be caused by long-term wearing dark-colored nail paints. While applying the nail paint, some moisture might get trapped in the nail paint. When the nail paint traps that moisture, it might form some fungal colonies on the nail plate, as humidity is a suitable environment for fungal growth.
According to an article by the American Academy Of Dermatology , specific individuals cover the pre-existing fungal conditions with layers of nail paints, which further aggravates the infection as covering the infection with a polymer coat traps the moisture within and it does not get the time to dry up increasing the fungal colonies.
The above-given information states how nail paints can cause various fungal infections and how various fungal infections get aggravated with individual nail polishes for a prolonged period.
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What Oral Medications Are Available
To treat fungal nail infections from inside the body, you can take tablets that inhibit the growth of fungi or kill them. They are all prescription-only. Terbinafine and itraconazole are typically used for this purpose.
- Terbinafine is preferred if the nail fungus is caused by a skin fungus . This is usually the case.
- Itraconazole is generally used if the nail infection is caused by yeast or mold.
Itraconazole and terbinafine tablets can both be taken either continuously or with breaks between treatments. But they are used differently: