How To Clean Toe Fungus

Doctors Or Pharmacists Can Prescribe Clinically Proven Medication

Toenail fungus home remedies can be effective at tackling infections. However, it is worth remembering that a doctor would prescribe a clinically proven medication to successfully treat toenail fungus.

If your infection doesnt improve or appears to get worse, you should stop using these treatments and contact your doctor for advice.

There Is A Wide Range Of Options With Varying Success Rates

Other than keeping your toenails trimmed and perhaps painted, you may not pay much attention to them unless a problem develops. Healthy toenails are pink, shiny and smooth, but a fungal infection can cause them to become discolored, thick, brittle and even painful.

Toenail fungal infection, known as onychomycosis, is a common but challenging condition toenail fungus treatments include a wide range of options with varying success rates.

Causes of toenail fungus

Fungal nail infections are usually caused by fungi called dermatophytes that infect the skin beneath the nail yeast is another common culprit. Toenails are especially vulnerable to infection when your bare feet contact damp surfaces such as showers, swimming pools and locker rooms. If you have athletes foot, the infection can spread to the nails.

Wearing closed shoes such as athletic shoes for extended periods also can contribute to infection if your shoes and/or socks are damp from perspiration or heat. Moreover, if your shoes fit snugly enough to put pressure on your toes, they can damage the nail bed, making it more susceptible to infection.

People with chronic diseases, such as diabetes or circulatory problems, also may be more prone to toenail infections.

Symptoms of toenail fungus

Toenail fungus symptoms can develop slowly over time and may go unnoticed at first. Symptoms can include:

Toenail fungus treatments

When to see a doctor for toenail fungus

Preventing toenail fungus

Vinegar And Baking Soda

Spraying shoes with vinegar or baking soda aretwo other methods to help combat shoe fungus. Apple cider vinegar can besubstituted for regular vinegar if wanted. Dont worry, when vinegar dries, theunmistakable odor also dissipates.

Vinegar, as an acid, lowers the pH of bacteria.When this happens, essentially, the motor of the bacteria slows and for some,eventually stop. Baking soda, on the other hand, seems to show some reactionsof decreasing the number of viable cells. By using both, you stand a betterchance at keeping the bacteria at bay.

The baking soda also works to help soak up someof the smells that are produced with fungus. Simply sprinkle the inside and outof the shoes. If you chose to use the vinegar, fill a spray bottle and spraythe inside and outside each time you are not wearing the shoes.

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Keep After Your Feet Even If It Looks Like The Fungus Is Gone

The same fungus that causes athletes foot is the one that will infect the nails. So after youve treated the fungus and it looks like its out, the patient still has a lot of responsibility, Dr. Lipner says. You need to make sure it doesnt come back by applying an antifungal producta basic athletes foot productto your feet daily. If you get the fungus invading your feet, youll probably get it back in your nails, too. Apply an antifungal cream, spray, or powder to the shoes or the feet daily, she says. To some people, its a habit like brushing your teeth. For others, getting them to do it is like pulling teeth.

Black Under Toenail Symptoms:

The most common symptom of black toenail fungus is that initially, toenail fungus develops.

• After toenail fungus develops, a thicker toenail usually takes up more room in the sock and shoe.
• As this happens, the toenail can catch on her shoes or socks and start to rip away from the skin.
• This gradually forms debris and dirt that forms under the tip of the nail. This then forms a callus in the nail that starts to rub the way more and more.
• Eventually, the toenail starts to turn black when small little blood vessels called capillaries are ripped away from the toenail.
• This creates bleeding between the toenail and the skin.
• As this blood starts to dry, it quickly turns black and forms a scab between the toenail and the skin.
• As this gets thicker, it forms thick black toenail fungus.
• The toenail eventually can turn completely back as it dies.

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Tips To Combat Foot Fungus

The best way to combat foot fungus is to reduce your exposure to it. There are simple things you can do to prevent from contracting foot and nail fungus.

Baking Soda And Vinegar

Before you put them on, sprinkle baking soda into each shoe to absorb odor. It also acts to decrease the activity of fungal spores. Fill a spray bottle with diluted white or apple cider vinegar and spray it into your shoes whenever youre not going to wear them. It can help slow down the growth of fungal spores. Dont worry, the vinegar smell will disappear as it dries. Use both together to keep bacteria under control.

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Tips For Prevention Of Fungal Nails

Nail fungus causes only 50% of abnormal-appearing nails. It can be hard to tell the difference between the different causes of discolored nails . Onychomycosis is often not treated. Reasons to receive treatment include

No one knows where a specific person catches the fungus, as it is everywhere. However, since the fungus does thrive in warm moist areas , there are certain areas one should avoid or use with caution. Shower floors, locker rooms, and swimming pools are suspected of being sources of the fungus, although there are no studies proving this fact. Nail polish and acrylic nails also make the nail less “breathable” and make the nail more susceptible to fungal infection. Fungi are everywhere — in the air, the dust, and the soil. Hygienic measures such as spraying socks and footgear sound sensible, and perhaps these measures can even help a little bit. However, avoiding tight, nonbreathing shoes or steering clear of athletic facility floors may very well be the best prevention available. Daily washing of the feet and drying between the toes can help to prevent nail fungus. The fungi carried on the coats of pets, like cats and dogs, don’t often cause nail fungus. Wearing white socks does not help.

Protect Your Feet In Public

You can lock down your home against fungus rather easily, but the world is another matter. Fungus thrives in warm, damp, moist environments, and there are plenty of them out there with a lot of foot traffic.

If you are going to high risk areas such as gyms, locker rooms, and public pools, you need to keep your feet protected. A pair of sandals oreven bettershower shoes will provide a good amount of cover in the worst of it.

Of course, wash your feet well after your time in a shower room or pool, and make sure they are fully dry before you put socks and shoes back on.

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Laser Procedure For Toenail Fungus Under The Nails

Using a laser directly on the toenails helps to reach those areas underneath and inside the nail. This is because the type of light used can penetrate through the tough layers of the nails. Laser procedures are very convenient because they can be completed in under 10 minutes per foot.

The PinPointe foot laser is FDA-approved for the temporary increase of clear nail in patients with onychomycosis.

This machine can be used on almost all patients because it has virtually no side effects. In one study, over 83% of people who received three sessions with a laser and improved their foot hygiene had no fungi after 18-months.

Some people start to see visible improvement after just one visit, although you may need to return a small number of times for follow-up.

The laser works by targeting the fungi without hurting your skin and nails. Its designed to be at the right level to penetrate your nail and damage the infecting fungi, while not being too high to cause burning or pain for your feet. Most people dont feel anything, or they just feel a warming sensation.

At the time of the procedure, the toenail will usually not become instantly clearit takes time to grow out. As long as your infection is treated and you dont get re-infected, you should see new healthy, clear nail as it grows out within 12-18 months.

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Additional reporting for this story by Jennifer Nied

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Dermatophytes: A Common Cause Of Toenail Fungus

Your toenails are composed of 80% hard keratin and 20% soft keratin. Keratin is also in your skin and hair. Dermatophytes, the fungi that usually cause onychomycosis, feed on keratin to grow and multiply.

Dermatophytes love warm, moist environments, including:

• Public pools
• Saunas
• Locker rooms

Onychomycosis is highly contagious, so its easy to catch. When dermatophytes find their way to your feet as a result of exposure to sweat, public showers, or steam rooms, the dermatophytes consume the keratin in your nails by breaking it down into smaller particles. The crumbly residue on your infected toenails is actually keratin debris.

You can also get toenail fungus as a result of being more susceptible to foot problems, especially if youre diabetic, have circulation problems, or you have a weakened immune system. These other conditions, including chronic skin problems like psoriasis, often lead to toenail fungus if your feet are exposed to it, or you dont keep your feet cool and dry after swimming or going to the gym.

Do I Have Black Toenail Fungus Or A Bruise Underneath My Toenail

• In our experience, it is much more likely to have a bruise underneath the toenail rather than black toenail fungus.
• In a lot of people, it is common to have both toenail fungi develop first. This toenail fungus can make the toenail thicker, leading to bleeding and bruising developing underneath the toenail.
• This can make the toenail thick, dark, and discolored.

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Why Toenail Fungus Infection Is More Common In Elderly People

Although toenail fungus infection can affect people of all ages, those who are 60 years old and above are more likely to suffer from it than those who are younger. The condition affects nearly 20% of seniors, while it only affects 2.6% of children younger than 18. There are several factors why people over 60 are at an increased risk of nail alterations and disorders, and these point to their less-than-optimal health. Older people generally have weakened circulation on their distal extremities, impaired immune system, and faulty biomechanics. They also undergo normal age-related changes and disorders, making them more susceptible to nail fungus infections.

Also, elderly people who have health issues such as diabetes are doubly at risk of acquiring nail fungus infections.

Natural Ways To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus

One of the most dreaded and, lets face it, a disgusting ailment is toenail fungus . As most who read my blogs know, I usually write about topics that I have experienced personally and/or observed in patients. Well, for this one, it is both. For years, one of my toes would become afflicted, Id treat it, and then a year or two later, it would return.

The truth is that fungus is among us! You may view yourself as one with good hygiene, but even you are loaded with fungus on your skin. Fungus does not need much to overgrow and is exceedingly difficult to get rid of when it does. The three changes in our local skin environment that cause it to grow are 1. A decrease in good bacteria , since bacteria can suppress its growth 2. Excessive water/moisture 3. Sugar.

But to get fungus on your nail, a few things must happen. Diabetics, because of elevated sugar, are at higher risk. However, many, like myself, who dont have diabetes, are still prime targets. Thats because of what I call the blotter effect. To understand this effect, imagine the following scenario. You are sitting behind a wooden desk with a glass blotter on top to protect the surface. You place a cup of water on the blotter and turn to work on your computer. As you turn, your elbow knocks over youre cup, and the water spills over the edge of the desk. You then see some water track itself under the blotter.

The following natural approaches will work whether you have taken a medication or not .

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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

Thick Black Toenail Fungus Treatment:

• Thick black toenail fungus treatment is best performed by trimming and reducing the nail.
• Studies show that the best way to heal this is to remove the loose and detached toenail. This means that the blood flow is not reaching the toenail.
• This can cause it to decay and atrophy and start to create a bad odor.

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What Is The Treatment For Fungal Nails

Oral antifungal therapy has a high cure rate, depending on the medication. It can take nine to 12 months to see if it has worked or not, because that is how long it takes for the nail to grow out. Even when therapy works, the fungus may come back. Currently, an oral antifungal therapy is considered the best treatment for toenail fungus because of higher cure rates and shorter treatment duration compared to topical therapy.

Prescription oral medications that are effective against nail fungus include the following:

There are several innovative treatments that are still being tested:

• Laser therapy or uses application of light-activated agents onto the nail followed by shining light of a proper wavelength on the nail.
• Use of electrical current to help absorption of topical antifungal medications into the nail: This is also called iontophoresis.
• Use of a special nail lacquer that changes the micro-climate of the nail to make it inhospitable for the fungus to grow: If this works, it may be an inexpensive way to treat this problem in the future.

One way to definitively get rid of toenail fungus is by surgery. Surgical treatment of onychomycosis involves nail removal. However, this often only provides temporary relief, and recurrence is common unless additional antifungal medication is simultaneously used. However, surgical removal may be warranted when the affected nail is associated with other factors such as trauma and or infection.

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