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.
Best For Toenails: Fungi
This is one of my favorites because it relieves symptoms such as burning and itching, and also restores the skin under the nail and around the cuticle, says Dr. Chen. Its also very easy to use and wont break the bank, she adds. It touts Tolnaftate 1%, a clinically proven anti-fungal active ingredient, to cure and prevent infection, as well as five essential oils tea tree oil, aloe vera, eucalyptol, olive oil, and lavender to restore skin health.
My nail was cut in a pedicure, causing my nail to get fungus, shared a customer. This stuff cleared it right up. My nail fell off and grew back healthy. Worked and quickly in about a week.
Nail Polish And Contaminated Equipment
A 2018 study found evidence that fungi may be able to live and multiply in some nail polishes. It may be a good idea to avoid sharing nail polish.
Contaminated equipment at a nail salon can also expose you to types of fungi that may lead to an infection.
Your fungal infection may not cause any symptoms in the beginning, until it progresses.
As the infection gets worse, you may experience:
Fingernail infections often clear up on their own or with home remedies. Antifungal medications are used for more serious infections.
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How Apple Cider Vinegar May Help Treat Toenail Fungus
If you notice that your toenails are starting to thicken or change color, there is a chance you may have onychomycosis. Onychomycosis is the medical term for the condition commonly known as toenail fungus. If you are in the early stages of developing toenail fungus, you may notice a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. Afterward, you may notice that the fungus will travel deeper and start to discolor, thicken, or distort the edge of the nail. Nevertheless, there are items you likely have in your kitchen cabinet that can aid in fighting toenail fungus. Apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for toenail fungus due to its antifungal properties. If you want to treat your fungus using ACV, you can soak your feet in a mixture of warm water and the vinegar for about 15 minutes, twice a day. When purchasing the ACV, you should make sure it is raw, unpasteurized, and organic. For further assistance with treating toenail fungus, please consider scheduling a consultation with a podiatrist.
If left untreated, toenail fungus may spread to other toenails, skin, or even fingernails. If you suspect you have toenail fungus it is important to seek treatment right away. For more information about treatment, contact Dr. Gordon Fosdick of Affiliated Foot Care Center. Our doctor can provide the care you need to keep you pain-free and on your feet.
Symptoms
- Warped or oddly shaped nails
- Yellowish nails
Toenail Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
Toenail fungus is a fungal infection in the toenail. It happens when a fungus anything from mold to yeast to other types of fungus gets in the nail bed from a cut or break in the nail or repetitive trauma to the nail, and penetrates the nail itself, says Dr. Sundling. The nail then continues to grow with the fungus. Once a nail plate is infected with fungus, it will never not be infected, and you must wait to see how it grows out and whether the new nail growing behind it is healthy. The new nail rarely grows in healthy without treatment, says Sundling.
Toenail fungus is very common 14 percent of people have it in North America, according to an article published in the journal PLoS Pathogens and its more common the older you get, adds Sundling. Wearing shoes that are too small can damage the nail and make it more vulnerable to fungus, as can having a fungal infection on the skin of the foot and not treating it, which could expose the nail to fungus. You may be more at risk to toenail fungus if you have diabetes, or a weaker immune system.
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Air Drying Of The Shoes
It can be the best method for people living in temperate regions. In summers and monsoons, it is very important. This method can be a choice for those who are relatively safe, and the toenail fungus has not infected them much.
You do not need to do much for it. Drying your shoes under the sun will kill all the microorganisms in the shoes. It might discolor your shoe, but if you are already working under the sun, then it will be the best and easiest option for you to disinfect your shoes.
However, if you are a busy person, and are out for most of the day time then it is technically impossible. The first thing you should do is buy another pair of shoes, they will be the alternative shoes. Now whenever you leave your house for the chores, hang your shoes in the sun.
One thing, that you should bear in mind, that you do not need to do it every day.
However, whenever you feel that your shoes are damp because of sweat, this can be the go to method to clean the shoes. You can either hang the shoes on the cloth line, or find a tree where the sun shines at its maximum, hang the shoes there.
How Do I Know If I Have A Fungal Nail Infection
Because other infections can affect the nail and mimic symptoms of a fungal nail infection, the only way to confirm a diagnosis is to see a doctor. Theyll take a scraping of the nail and look under a microscope for signs of fungus.
In some cases, your doctor may send the sample to a lab for analysis and identification.
Over-the-counter products arent usually recommended to treat nail infections since they dont provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal medication, such as:
- terbinafine
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Tips On Preventing Nail Infections
- Clip a ripped hangnail with a sanitized nail trimmer.
- When washing your hands, include scrubbing the underside of your nails with water and soap.
- Regularly trim your nails and keep them short.
- When going to nail salons, make sure that grooming tools have been sterilized.
- Disinfect your grooming tools after use.
- Do not chew or bite your nails.
- Cuticles are your nails barrier from infection avoid cutting them.
The Basics Of Nail Fungus Prevention
Fungal nails are unsightly, embarrassing, and occasionally smelly. They are also notoriously difficult to treat. A podiatrist in Sugar Land can use advanced treatments that arent available at drugstores to eradicate the fungal infection. Once its gone, your foot doctor will give you instructions to prevent the fungal infection from coming back .
Keeping Your Feet Clean
For people who are prone to developing recurrent fungal nail infections, showering once daily may not be enough to keep the feet clean enough. If you shower in the morning, bathe your feet again in the evening. You can use a loofah or clean washcloth to thoroughly work the soap around your feet and toes.
Keeping Your Feet Dry
Fungi love damp, warm environments like the insides of your shoes. Each time you take a shower or bathe your feet separately, dry your feet thoroughly with a clean towel. Be sure to dry between your toes. Your podiatrist might recommend applying a topical medication a few times per week after cleaning your feet. You can also apply foot powder to help your feet stay dry. If you tend to sweat heavily, you may need to change your socks during the day.
Using Public Locker Rooms
Fungal infections easily spread in gyms, public pools, and locker rooms. Always wear shower shoes around the edges of the pool and in the public showers. Let your shower shoes dry completely between uses.
Reducing Your Risk of Nail Injuries
Wearing Proper Footwear
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Complications Of Yellow Nail Syndrome
Yellow nail syndrome is also associated with bronchiectasis, which is when the small airways in your lung become abnormally widened, weak, and scarred. In bronchiectasis, airway mucus cant be properly moved. As a result, you could end up developing pneumonia if your lungs fill up with germy mucus and become infected. This bronchiectasis, in addition to the fluid that builds up in the pleural space outside of the lungs, causes lung problems.
Theres no one treatment for yellow nail syndrome. Treatment addresses specific symptoms of the condition and may include:
- topical or oral vitamin E for nail discoloration
- corticosteroids
Treatments For Fungal Nail Infections
Treatment isn’t always needed for a mild fungal nail infection because it’s unlikely to cause any further problems and you may feel it’s not worth treating.
Whether you decide to have treatment or not, you should still practise good foot hygiene to stop the infection getting worse or spreading to others.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you’re bothered by the appearance of the affected nail, or it’s causing problems such as pain and discomfort. They’ll probably recommend:
- antifungal tablets tablets taken once or twice a day for several months
- antifungal nail paints special paints applied directly to the nail over several months
- nail softening kits where a paste is used to soften infected parts of the nail, before they’re removed with a scraping device
A procedure to remove the nail completely may be recommended in severe cases. Laser treatment, where a high-energy laser is used to destroy the fungus, is also an option. But this is only available privately and can be expensive.
You can reduce your risk of developing a fungal nail infection by:
Nail salon equipment can sometimes be the source of fungal nail infections. If you regularly visit a salon, make sure any equipment used is properly sterilised between uses.
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How To Clean Pedicure Tools To Prevent Infection And Re
Fungus On Nail Clippers
Fungal nail infections are the leading cause of nail discoloration, crack, and breakage. It is more common to infect toenails than fingernails.
Even the smallest crack in your nails can allow these germs to enter your nail and destroy it.
How Do You Get Rid Of Fungus On Nail Clippers? The fungus can stick to nail clippers when uncleansed or used by someone who has an occurring nail fungus or onychomycosis. One way to get rid of this germ is to sterilize or disinfect nail clippers. But then again, prevention is better than cure.
As you read below, you will know how to eliminate fungus on your nail clippers. I will also discuss how to prevent fungus buildup.
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Why Is Disinfection Necessary
Before we start let us consider a few facts that claim disinfection an essential step for those suffering with toenail fungus.
As toenail fungus is contagious, and can spread to different toes of the infected person or to people living with him, therefore, it is essential to clean your feet and shoes regularly.
Another reason for the regular cleaning of the shoes, is to avoid the bad odor that can irritate you and the people around you. Lastly, it is necessary to prevent the uncontrollable growth of the toenail fungus.
If your shoes will not be clean, chances are that there will be various microorganisms in the dirty shoes. These can make the infecting toenail even stronger. Therefore, one should try the best methods to clean the shoes.
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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What Are The Causes Of Yellow Nail Syndrome
The exact cause of yellow nail syndrome is unknown.
This condition can start sporadically for no apparent reason, which occurs in most cases. Even so, in rare cases, its believed it may run in families. A mutation of the FOXC2 gene which causes a disorder called lymphedema-distichiasis syndrome may play a role in developing yellow nail syndrome. More research is needed to confirm this, as other literature currently reports that there is no known genetic factor for yellow nail syndrome.
Another belief is that yellow nail syndrome results from problems with lymphatic drainage. Improper circulation and drainage of lymph allows fluid to collect in the soft tissue under the skin, which may slowly turn nails yellow.
Yellow nail syndrome can also develop on its own or occur with certain types of cancers, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, and immunodeficiencies.
What Causes Nail Fungus
Onychomycosis happens when cuts or cracks in the skin allow for fungi to get between the nail and skin, causing an infection, explains Lucy Chen, M.D., a dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami. On top of infection, you can also experience discoloration, thickening, and separation from the nail bed.
Unfortunately, the simple truth is that everyone is exposed to the microorganisms that cause these infections, says Dana Stern, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and nail health expert at Nu Skin. So, why do some people develop full-on nail fungus and others dont? The causes are multi-factorial but some of the more common factors that put you at risk for fungal infections include older age, diabetes, suppressed immunity, poor circulation, excessive sweating, and irregular growing nails, notes Dr. Stern.
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A Closer Look At The Troublesome Fungus
Toenail fungus is one of the main reasons people come to her office, and Vlahovic has studied the condition for years. Viewed through a microscope, her enemy appears rather meek. It looks like thin straws with little compartments in it but its part of an aggressive fungus family. The fungus that affects the foot in general, they are called dermatophytes. They love hair, nails and skin, so actually the same organisms that cause athletes foot can cause nail fungus.
If it gets into the nail bed, the fungus eats and digests the keratin in the nail, and that causes discoloration and thickening of the nail. Its a cosmetic condition that can become painful, but even if its not, Vlahovic argues that it is an infection that should be treated.
Softening And Scraping Away The Nail
As it can take a long time for antifungal medication to work, some people may prefer to use a treatment that involves softening and removing infected parts of nail over a few weeks.
Treatment kits are available from pharmacies that contain a 40% urea paste, plasters and a scraping device. The paste softens the infected parts of the nail, allowing them to be scraped away so they can be gradually replaced with healthy nail.
To use the treatment:
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How To Treat Nail Fungus Fast Il
Infection of the nails by the fungus Onychomycosis causes the nail to become yellowish and hazy in appearance.
It is possible that you will expand nail fungus in spite of your best attempts.
If the severity of your nail fungus an infection is severe, home treatments can and will be advantageous.
Tips To Avoid Toenail Fungus: Easy To Catch Hard To Kill
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If toenail fungus gets into the nail bed, the fungus eats and digests the keratin in the nail, and that causes discoloration and thickening of the nail.
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Allure Nail Salon in Center City lines their pedicure tubs with plastic to keep clean.
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Allure Nail Salon in Center City is known for its cleanliness.
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Allure Nail Salon in Center City cleans their instruments with disinfectant before placing them into a UV sterilizing machine.
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Every customer at Allure Nail Salon in Center City gets to take their file and buffer home.
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Allure Nail Salon in Center City lines their pedicure tubs with plastic to keep clean.
Its sandal weather, the pool and beach beckon and that means naked, exposed toes. That thought fills millions of Americans with dread, because they are host to an organism thats ruining the appearance of their nails.
They are keratin-loving species, explained Temple University podiatrist Tracey Vlahovic. Her sub-specialty within that field is dermatology, so, pretty much anything that makes the rest of us go yuck. I dont think its yuck. I think its fantastic. I love treating fungus and warts, said Vlahovic with a chuckle.
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