Frequent Itchy Red Spots
A lesser-known symptom of fungus overgrowth is skin rashes. Fungus can cause red, scaly, or itchy patches anywhere on the body, but often sticks to areas prone to dampness, such as the feet, between folds of skin, or between joints such as the knees, elbows, and underarms. These may seem like common rashes, but a rash typically reveals a deeper problem within the body, and can indicate a significant overgrowth of yeast or fungus.
Using Nail Polish While Infected With Toenail Fungus
Most treatments that are undertaken to clear the toenail fungus need access to the nail bed and under the nail as much as possible. Your goal is to get the treatment to the fungus so it can kill the fungus. Covering nails with fingernail polish will probably lessen your chances at getting directly to the fungus. Knowing this, you can still opt for using nail polish, but your results might not be as favorable as you want.
Toenail Onychomycosis In Diabetic Patients: Issues And Management
Abstract Diabetes mellitus may be associated with serious sequelae, such as renal disease, retinopathy, and diabetic foot. A recent large prospective study has shown that onychomycosis is among the most significant predictors of foot ulcer. As the severity of onychomycosis may be associated with the length of time the individual has had the infection, early intervention is advisable owing to the progressive nature of the fungal infection. If left untreated, toenails can become thick, causing pressure and irritation, and thus act as a trigger for more severe complications. In the treatment of onychomycosis, compliance and drug interactions are important considerations, as diabetic patients frequently take concomitant medications. Terbinafine and itraconazole have been investigated for the treatment of onychomycosis in diabetic patients and have been shown to have efficacy and safety profiles comparable to those in the nondiabetic population. Data from clinical trials and postmarketing surveillance suggest that drug interactions resulting in hypoglycemia may not be an important issue when itraconazole and terbinafine are used to treat diabetic patients receiving concomitant hypoglycemic medications. Patient advice and education in improved foot care are an integral part of onychomycosis management, and help achieve long-term cure and reduce the complications of diabetic foot.Continue reading > >
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What To Look For In A Toenail Fungus Treatment
Severity
Toenail fungus, if left untreated, can become a tough problem to treat and will greatly influence what medications you need. If the toenails are thick, yellowed, and left untreated for a long time, that could indicate you need a prescription for oral medication.
Location
Fungal infections can start on the nails and transfer to this skin, or start on the skin and transfer to the nails. It is important to treat both as they will continue to spread.
Ingredients
Zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid are both FDA-approved ingredients to treat toenail fungus Also, if you seek help from a professional, they will likely prescribe medications in the azole family. This compound interferes with the synthesis of the fungal cell membrane, which essentially kills the fungus.
Type
Toenail fungus treatments can come in a variety of forms, but oral, topical, and homeopathic medications are the most commonly used for treating toenail fungus.
Nerve Damage And Injuries
Diabetes often causes nerve damage. As a result, a diabetic may not feel pain or notice an injury right away. If a person with diabetes injures their toenail, they may not notice it right away or at all. For many fungal infections, an injured toenail is all it takes for the fungus to take root.
When such an injury takes place, it’s possible to catch the infection early on and prevent the fungal infection in the first place. But if you don’t notice the injury, it’s more likely for the nail fungus infection to occur and spread.
Some people with diabetes may have a couple of extra hurdles to jump over other than nerve damage when it comes to noticing the injury or infection. Diabetes can also affect a person’s vision in what is called diabetic eye disease. Obesity is another issue associated with type 2 diabetes. If a diabetic struggles with obesity, it is possible they may not be able to see their feet or get to them easily.
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What Tests Might Be Done
Your doctor may be able to tell that you have a fungal nail infection just by looking at your toes or your fingers. But they may do some tests to be sure.
They may decide to take a sample of your nails. The clippings can be tested to see if fungus is in them.
If you do have nail fungus, you and your doctor will decide what treatment is best for you.
What Is The Outlook For Someone With Toenail Fungus
While toenail fungus is common, its usually not harmful. Symptoms mostly affect the look of your toenail.
Toenail fungus may spread to the skin between your toes or other areas of your body. When getting dressed, put your socks on first to reduce the chance of spread.
Treating toenail fungus takes a long time, and it doesnt always work. Even then, toenail fungus often returns. Discuss the pros and cons of treating toenail fungus with your provider to determine whats best for you.
Practicing good hygiene and foot care reduces the chance toenail fungus will come back. If you have diabetes, getting regular foot exams may help you address foot problems before they get serious.
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Is Nail Fungus Easily Treatable
Toenail fungus infections often require diligent treatment to be successful. Early-stage toenail fungus may respond to home treatments, such as those listed below. Apply the treatment to the affected nail several times daily you may need to treat for six months or more to clear the infection as it takes 6-12 months for a full nail to grow out.
Over-the-counter treatments for toenail fungus include creams, ointments, sprays and liquids. Ask your pharmacist for a recommendation or look for these ingredients, and follow the directions carefully:
- Tolnaftate
- Terbinafine
Laser treatment
Laser treatment for fungal nail infections is the newest treatment option, though it has now been available for many years. It has shown significantly higher success rates and has been the delight of many patients. It should be noted that there are two variations of laser available, hot and cold laser, and its important to know the difference.
Toenail Fungus Symptoms And Risk Factors
Toenail fungus symptoms are not pretty. At first, you may notice small white spots and possibly a foul smell. As the condition worsens, your nail gets thicker, which makes it harder to trim or cut, and turns yellow or brown. Nail fungus can spread from nail to nail and, eventually, make your nails split and crumble.
In addition to older people, people with certain conditions like diabetes or psoriasis are at higher risk for developing fungus. Other risk factors include having a history of athletes foot, which is an infection between your toes, a propensity for sweaty feet, and those with a weakened immune system.
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This Morning: Type 2 Diabetes Can Be ‘devastating’ Says Expert
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Either the big toenail, or the smallest one, are usually affected by onychomycosis. However, it can appear on more than one toenail and it can even develop on fingernails. DermNet NZ pointed out the “clinical features” to spot, such as “a white or yellow opaque streak appears at one side of the nail”. Scaling might also occur under the nail, or the edge of the nail lifts and crumbles.
If You Have Diabetes And Are Wondering If Its Related To An Unsettling Black Patch On Your Toenail Youll Want To Head Straight To A Dermatologist First Rather Than To Your Diabetes Doctor
A slowly growing and increasing blackness or very dark area on a toenail may be a sign of melanoma skin cancer.
However, that is not the most likely cause. But what if you DO have diabetes?
An infection called paronychia affects the nail fold and can be chronic or acute .
This infection is not caused by diabetes, but is more common in diabetics.
When its chronic, the damage to the cuticle can lead to a distortion in the underlying nail tissues.
This will then cause a space that is vulnerable to infection.
One of the microbes that can infect this space is called Pseudomonasaeruginosa.
It is this microorganism that has the potential to give the nail an almost black color.
Another microbe, Fusarium, can cause a blackish patch in a toenail.
Black toenails in a diabetic can happen when the foot has suffered a lack of oxygenated blood and necessary nutrients, says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texasand who is board certified in family medicine.
This causes the toenail to die, adds Dr. Anderson. While red can be a sign of acute infection, brown and black are often a sign of permanent damage.
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Diabetics Are At Risk For Nail Fungal Infections
In a study published in 2006, 22% of patients with diabetes develop toenail onychomycosis. As mentioned earlier, the complications in diabetes, like neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease, are the main reasons why diabetics have higher susceptibility for fungal infections in the nail. The high blood sugar levels in the body can also contribute in enhancing the growth of fungi in the nails and skin. With diabetics, nail fungal infections are taken more seriously because of the risk for more serious complications like foot ulcers and gangrene.
Medications Often Prescribed For Toenail Fungus
Ciclopirox
Like a clear fingernail polish. You paint it on daily, layering on one coat per day throughout the week. At the end of the week, remove it with nail polish, and then start the process all over again. Do this for about three months, and your nails might be clear. Limited side effects, but have a talk with your doctor to be on the safe side.
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Specific Risk Factors For Diabetics
Because nail fungus may recur even after successful treatment, daily foot care is a habit worth cultivating, especially if you are a diabetic patient, have a weakened immune system, or have poor circulation. Older people are at risk for developing nail fungal infections simply because they may have more years of exposure to fungi and have slower growing toenails. Other factors may exacerbate risk of infection, including heavy foot sweating, blisters, foot ulcers, and walking barefoot around swimming pools or public shower rooms.
Pay attention to diabetic health care risk factors like reduced blood flow and circulation to your feet, which may encourage fungal infection. Untreated, toenail onychomycosis can become painful and even cause permanent damage to your nails. Because youre already at risk for cellulitis , even a minor injury to your feet, including fungal nail infections, can lead to serious complications and, in severe cases, even nerve damage. Good foot care is a vital part of good health care for every diabetic.
Diabetes And Fungus: 3 Signs You Should Never Ignore
There may be a fungus among us and it may be quite dangerous.
Fungus and bacteria love diabetes. Because both are able to more thoroughly surviveand thrive, reallyin the presence of sugar, diabetes is a wonderful breeding ground, and provides a superb host. This is particularly true if diabetes is largely uncontrolled, as uncontrolled diabetes means more sugar to feast upon and a greater source of food for both fungus and bacteria.
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Nail Fungus May Spread To The Skin And Other Nails
Nail fungal infections are highly contagious, and it is possible that they may spread to other healthy nails surrounding it. Fungus does not only infect nails. It may also result to the contamination of the foots skin. This condition is more commonly known as athletes foot and it makes the skin on your feet red, itchy, and cracked. People who wear heavy footwear and sweaty socks all day are more susceptible to the spread of nail fungal infections to the other areas of the feet.
How To Properly Cut Diabetic Toenails
Regular toenail clippings can help to prevent ingrown nails, discomfort and infection. But is there a wrong way to cut toenails? Absolutely. Especially when it comes to diabetics.
In fact, because of the special care diabetics need when it comes to foot care, its often best to skip the salon pedicure and clip your toenails right at home. Whether you are doing the cutting yourself or are looking for the right way to clip your loved ones toenails, were here to help.
Lets explore some of the special measures diabetics can take to properly cut toenails:
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What Is The Most Effective Treatment For Toenail Fungus
The most effective toenail fungus treatment for you will largely depend on your symptoms and situation. Your provider will consider several factors before recommending a treatment plan thats customized to you.
Overall, oral antifungal medications may offer the most treatment potential. Pairing oral drugs with topical antifungal medication may make treatment more effective.
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Can Diabetics Have Toenail Removed
Removing the toenail completely is not recommended for individuals who have diabetes, since the risk of complications due to poor wound healing and infection is high. I would highly recommend that you go to your doctor or a podiatrist to manage the trimming and, if necessary, the removal of the nail.
Neuropathy And Poor Circulation: A Bad Combination For Those With Diabetes
Those with diabetes often have neuropathy or nerve damage. This condition causes loss of sensation in the extremities like the legs and especially the feet. With reduced sensation in the feet, a small injury like a bruise, cut or puncture can quickly worsen into a serious problem before you feel or notice it.
Another problem for those with diabetes is poor circulation. Diabetes causes excess sugar complexes and plaque in the blood as well as inflammation, so the blood vessels narrow and the blood flow decreases. These factors combine to cause poor circulation in the extremities, especially the feet and legs, which can hinder healing.
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Toenail Fungus Can Be A Serious Problem For Patients With Diabetes
Neuropathy and poor circulation create a fragile environment in your feet, and any small problem must be attended to immediately. One example is toenail fungus, especially if it has entered the nail bed and is harder to remove. This fungus loves warm, moist environments like the inside of your shoes. Because it is contagious, you can easily pick it up in public areas like spas, gyms, locker rooms, showers and pools.
A fungal infection turns the toenails brittle and sharp, and they can pierce the skin and tissue around the nail, letting dangerous bacteria into your system.
Dont worry we can treat fungal nail to get rid of the fungus and heal your skin. Used together, oral and topical medications can eradicate this fungal infection. If your case is advanced, we can surgically remove the infected nail to eliminate the problem.
Take Precautions To Prevent Fungal Nail
- Check your feet every day and tell us of any problems such as cuts, bruises or changes in the skin.
- Wash your feet daily in soapy water and thoroughly. To avoid cracked skin, smooth on a rich foot cream or lotion but not between the toes.
- Keep your feet dry with dry socks and shoes.
- Never go barefoot, especially in public areas. Wear flip flops in spas, gyms and poolside.
- Dont round the corners when you trim your toenails as that can cause an ingrown toenail.
Please come visit us if you have calluses or corns that need attention, or if you are unable to cut your own toenails. Wed be happy to do it for you.
Tips Before Trying Home Remedies
- Trim you affected nails daily and do your choice of treatment, making sure to treat the nailbed and try to get has much of the liquid as possible to go under the end of the nail.
- Prior to trying any treatment for your toenail fungus, you might find that filing down the thick, yellowish fungus-infected section of the top of the nail with an emery board will allow better access to the fungus. Just carefully file back and forth across the top, making sure you dont get the nail too thin.
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