How Does Toenail Fungus Affect The Body

Early Treatment Is Key To Preventing Severe Onychomycosis

Nail fungal infections are best treated in its earliest stages. Once you spot any of the mentioned early signs and symptoms, seek the advice of your health professional. Usually, for early onychomycosis, treatment may simply be in the form of topical anti-fungal solutions. EmoniNail is a perfect example of a topical treatment that contains safe and effective ingredients, such as undecylenic acid and tea tree oil, that will likely kill fungi and improve the nails overall health.

Treating onychomycosis in recent times has advanced and the availability of surgical treatments, laser therapies, and other oral anti-fungal medications are now out in the market. Although not necessary in early onychomycosis, they also prove to be successful in eliminating fungal nail infections. These types of treatments are best recommended under the supervision of your doctor. Visit your physicians to know what treatment works best for you.

Fungal Nail Infection Treatment

See your doctor if you think you have nail fungus. It can be tough to get rid of, and youâre more likely to have success with a prescription. Treatments include:

• Oral antifungals. The doctor may give you a pill to kill fungus in your whole body. This is usually the best way to get rid of a nail infection. Treatment may last 2 months for an infection in your fingernails, or 3 months if itâs in your toenails.
• Topical antifungals. You rub or brush these medicines onto your nails. They may work for a mild infection, but they canât get deep enough into the nail to cure a more serious one. You might use a topical treatment in combination with a pill.
• Surgery. If other treatments donât work, the doctor may need to remove your nail entirely and let a healthy one grow back in its place. The new nail could also get infected.
• Laser or photodynamic therapy. Doctors are studying newer treatments that use special light to try to kill the fungus.

Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication

One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.

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When Should I Call The Doctor

In rare cases, toenail fungus can cause an infection called cellulitis. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis may pose a serious danger to your health.

You should seek treatment guidance from a trusted healthcare provider if you have:

• Circulation problems.
• Redness, pain or pus near the toenail.
• Weakened immune system.

Hydrogen Peroxide For Nail Fungus

Hydrogen peroxide is a known treatment for nail fungus. However, we still do not know what the scientific evidence for it are, as no scientific research proves it. It is still a matter of debate.

What is so far known of the Hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for nail fungus is the developing of Hypochlorous acid which is an effective way to kill nail fungus.

The Hydrogen peroxide is an extremely active, why many people use Hydrogen peroxide as a treatment for nail fungus is the affordability.

It is available almost at every place, moreover they do not need a prescription for this.

How to use Hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus?

• Apply it directly with a Q-tip. Take a little of Hydrogen peroxide and dip a Q- tip in it, apply it on the infected area only.
• Try the breathing foot soak method. All you have to do is take almost 2 to 3 percent of hydrogen per oxide with water. Put your foot in it and press the infected area for almost 2 minutes and release, repeat this process several times for 15 minutes.
• Use it with baking soda, you can either make a paste of baking soda and Hydrogen peroxide or make a foot soak. Whichever is more convenient. Th easier one is the paste, but it is for the extreme cases, if it is the onset of the infection you can try making the foot soak.

Pros of using Hydrogen peroxide as a home remedy for nail fungus

Cons of Hydrogen peroxide as a remedy for nail fungus

• It is not skin friendly.
• Not approved by any doctor specifically for toenail fungus.

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Nail Fungus Can Cause Other Forms Of Body Infections

Other body infections are a huge risk when a nail fungal infection is ignored. As mentioned, nail fungal infections may contaminate the surrounding skin. When the skin becomes cracked and open, bacteria can easily enter and create a widespread infection all over your body.

A simple fungal nail infection can lead to cellulitis. This condition produces swollen, red, tender skin and demands immediate treatment with antibiotics. Severe cellulitis can also enter the bloodstream and become life-threatening.

Locker Rooms And Toenail Fungus

If you’re a swimmer, you needn’t 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.

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Fungus Into The Bloodstream

This only happens in a serious stage of toenail fungus, people with very weak immune system and people with HIV/AIDS and Diabetes are known to face this danger. When the fungus enters the deeper skin, causing cellulitis thats when the disesase will enter the bloodstream. If you believe you are experiencing a fungal blood infect, i highly suggest you contact your doctor immediately.

Can Toenail Fungus Spread To The Bone

It is possible to get fungal infections that do spread to the bone, which is a very serious condition. Ultimately, when it comes to toenail fungus, since it can be spread to other parts of the body, and can spread internally, it is worth dealing with it as soon as you notice it. Ultimately many people think that toenail fungus might go away on its own in time, but this is not the case. Toenail fungus will typically need to be treated with antifungal medication. Some of these topical treatments are available over-the-counter and can come as antifungal creams or as a nail polish. Learn about our Clear + Restore product that can rejuvenate and improve the appearance of your toenails.

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What Are The Complications And Risk Factors For Toenail Fungus

Diabetes and peripheral vascular disease reduce blood flow to the extremities. More prolonged courses of antifungal therapy may be required with these complications, as the reduced blood supply means more slowly growing nails and diminished capacity to fight infection. People with weakened immune systems are more susceptible to infections in general including toenail fungus. Also, physical trauma can create space where dirt and debris can become trapped and give rise to a fungal infection.

Overview Of Nail Fungus

A fungal infection of one or more nails is called onychomycosis. It tends to be more common on the toenails than the fingernails. Fungal nail infections usually develop on nails that are continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty socks and shoes or shower floors. The infection is not the same as Athletes Foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet.

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Can Nail Fungus Spread To Other Parts Of The Body

Nail fungus can initially occur in one nail and then it gradually spreads to the surrounding skin. If it is not treated then it can spread to the other nails adjacent and if it occurred in the toenails it can spread to fingernails and vice versa. The toenail fungus can also spread to the skin on top of the feet close to the toes which are also called athletes foot. This can happen vice versa as well because athletes foot is a risk factor for toenail fungal infection. Toenails fungus can also spread to the genital if the underwear touches the infected toenails when wearing which is called jock itch. It also can spread to other people who have close contact with you.

Toenail fungal infection can break the nails and damage the nail bed and the adjacent skin. This can become an easy way for the bacteria to enter the toes and feet. If this happens in a person with diabetes mellitus with complications or in a person who is immunocompromised then the infection can be serious and cause ulcers which will ultimately lead to a loss of the foot or leg.

Can Toenail Fungus Spread To Other Areas Of The Body

Toenail fungus can spread to other areas of the body, find out more about what nail fungus is and how it can be managed.

One of the questions that is often asked is whether toenail fungus can spread to other parts of the body. The short answer to this question is that toenail fungus can often spread if it is not treated. This is one of the main reasons for treating toenail fungus as soon as you notice that you have it. Generally, it is possible for a fungal nail infection to spread to other nails, and it can also spread to the skin and cause dermatological issues, skin infections, athletes foot or even ringworm .

More importantly, it is also possible for toenail fungus to spread to the blood too, but it is not very common for toenail fungus to migrate to become a fungal blood infection in this way except in severe cases. Generally speaking, this is a risk factor for individuals with a compromised immune system or existing health conditions. Since this risk can be a serious concern, these people should treat all forms of fungal nail infection immediately and skip the home remedies such as tea tree oil.

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Few Precautions To Take

To improve the chances of getting rid of toenail fungus for good with any treatment, keep feet dry at all times. If your feet are prone to sweating, wear moisture absorbing socks and shoes that allow for plenty of ventilation.

Use medicated foot powder if necessary. Nail fungus thrives in warm, moist areas and sweaty feet provide a prime opportunity for infections to set in and spread.

Additionally, if you have foot fungus , treat that too with Funginix as soon as possible. The dermatophytes that cause athletes foot are the same as those that cause nail fungus. It can be near impossible to keep nail fungus from recurring if your feet are infected.

To avoid exposing and spreading the infection to other parts of your body, thoroughly wash your hands after touching infected parts.

Like other topical solutions same precautions also apply to Funginix. Consumers are cautioned to not ingest or put the topical solution in the eyes or mucus membranes. Flush your eyes if the topical solution comes into contact with eyes.

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When Should You See A Doctor

It’s tempting to dismiss toenail fungus as an unsightly but mainly harmless problem. Like so many other health issues, though, ignoring it will only make things worse down the line.

“You should see a podiatrist when you notice the problem and treat it early,” advises Dr. Spielfogel. “If left untreated, which is very common, the infection will spread to the rest of the nail and eventually spread to the other nails.”

Once you make an appointment, your podiatrist will give your feet a thorough examination and will probably take a biopsy, or sample, of your nail to be sent away for testing. This will help your doctor confirm that you have an infection and not some other issue, as well as figure out exactly what type of infection you have, Dr. Spielfogel explains.

From there, your doctor can work with you on a treatment plan to get rid of your toenail fungus for good.

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Hosiery And Toenail Fungus

Wearing pantyhose can lead to sweaty feet and the potential for a toenail fungal infection. “Nylon hosiery doesn’t absorb sweat, so when wearing hosiery inside a shoe, there’s an increased chance of fungal growth,” Zinkin says. If you must wear hosiery, put some antiperspirant or baby powder on your feet before slipping into your stockings. This will help reduce sweating and the chance of fungus growing.

Can Fungal Nail Infection Spread

Toenail fungus is far more common than you may think. In fact, medical experts estimate that onychomycosis affects 1 in 10 people overall. This number increases to 1 and 2 for those within an age demographic over 70. That said, a frequent question becomes Can a fungal nail infection spread? In this article, we dive into this question by covering the types of fungal nail infections, risk factors, and fungus prevention.

Types of fungal nail infections

There are four main types of fungal nail infections that patients suffer from. The different kinds include:

Risk Factors

There are a variety of factors that can put you more at riskto develop afungal nail infection:

• Being of older age: This is a risk factor because there is reduced blood flow to the nail so growth is slowed and being older means you have been exposed to more fungi throughout the years.
• Excessive sweating from conditions like Hyperhidrosis
• Having contracted athletes foot before
• Walking barefoot in damp public areas like swimming pools, public showers, and gyms: this is because nail fungi prefer warm, moist dark environments. We recommend wearing flip-flops in these situations.
• Having a minor skin or nail condition like psoriasis
• Having diabetes, circulation problems, or a weakened immune system

Can Fungal Nail Infections Spread?

• The skin between your toes
• Groin area
• Scalp

Prevention

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Dangers Of Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus is one of the most common problems suffered by millions of people around the world. In fact, in a recent study by the American Academy of Dermatology they have stated that at least 12% of U.S. citizens are affected by fungal infections on their toenails. While bacteria are common in the human body, fungus has a habit of spreading quickly over the affected area. Toenail fungus can be the root of several other problems which is why it must be treated as soon as possible.

The toenail fungus or onychomycosis has two main types that can affect a person, the first is yeast or Candida and the second one is called dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are pointed as the most common form of fungi that affects the toenails.

Staying One Step Ahead Of Toenail Fungus

An established fungal infection is hard to eradicate, but you can stop its spread and improve your toenail’s appearance.

Toenail fungus isn’t a pressing health problem. Yet a fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain as it lifts the nail away from the nail bed. And fungal infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of. “You may want to consider fungal toenail a condition to be managed rather than cured,” says Dr. James P. Ioli, chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

First, the bad news: Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Spielfogel both admit that toenail fungus is extremely hard to treat, especially at home.

“The most effective treatment is an oral systemic antifungal medication, such as Lamisil, once per day for 12 weeks,” says Dr. Jenkins. “It cures around 75% of patients, but 25% won’t be cured and will need repeat treatment or even a surgical treatment, like removing the toenail.”

For the most part, Dr. Jenkins says Lamisil is generally safe for use, though it canin rare casescause liver enzyme abnormalities. She adds that this side effect is almost never seen in children, and that your doctor will monitor these enzymes and perform frequent blood work during your course of treatment to ensure Lamisil is not negatively affecting your liver.

If you’re still concerned about Lamisil as a treatment option or you have an existing medical condition that prevents you from safely taking it, your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment instead…but those take a lot longer to work and only have a 25%-30% cure rate.

Finally, you can try a home remedy for toenail funguswhile most of them aren’t terribly effective, they don’t come with many side effects, either. If your toenail fungus is mild, you might be able to see results over time.

If you’re going to attempt an at-home remedy, it’s important to give your toenail some extra TLC, says Dr. Spielfogel: “Keeping the area clean and dry may help keep the infection under control.”

What Are The Signs Of Nail Fungus

If you get nail fungus, youre likely to see one or more of the following changes to your nails:

• Part of a nail turns white, yellow, brown, or another color. At first, you may just see a spot of discoloration at the tip of your nail. Without treatment, this discoloration may spread, covering more of the nail.

• Debris builds up under the nail.

• A nail begins to lift up, so its no longer firmly attached to the finger or toe.

• A nail turns white, and the surface of the nail may feel soft, dry, and powdery. The nail also thins, so you may be able to scrape off the nail.

• Nails thicken and turn yellow or brown, often this affects all of the fingernails.

• A nail splits or crumbles.

Treatment is important

Without treatment, the fungus can spread and damage more nails.

Having nail fungus is usually painless. At least, its painless in the beginning. However, if you put off getting treatment, the fungus can grow. When the fungus worsens on toenails, wearing shoes can become painful.

If you see any changes to a nail, you should see a board-certified dermatologist. When caught early, nail fungus may clear with treatment applied to the nail. As the fungus grows, it becomes more difficult to clear the infection.

ImagesImages 1,2, and 3 used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology: J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 70:918-23.

Image 4 used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.

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