How To Treat Toenail Fungus A Full Treatment System Targeting External And Internal Causes Of Onychomycosis
If you have a fungal toenail infection, it is likely that over-the-counter and even prescription medications have not been effective, or have taken multiple courses just to start providing relief. Additionally, the majority of over-the-counter treatments involve applying messy creams for months before seeing any results, which is impractical for most people. Oral prescription medications are prone to causing unpleasant or even dangerous side effects such as stomach unrest or jaundice, while DIY treatments are rarely effective.
Crystal Flushâs 2-step treatment system, containing a clinically proven FDA-Approved active ingredient, is the only toe fungus treatment available that targets both external and internal causes of toe fungus, leading to the restoration of healthy toenails in as little as thirty days.
Step 1, the antifungal serum, contains one of the most potent FDA-approved antifungal agents available. With two applications per day, the serum penetrates the nail bed to destroy the fungal infection at its root.
Your Options For Treating Toenail Fungus
If you think you may have toenail fungus, you should see a podiatrist or dermatologist, who will send a specimen or a piece of your nail to a lab. Different types of fungus are treated slightly differently, so its important to know which type you have, says Sundling.
Also, sometimes the root of the problem is not a fungus at all, but rather another condition, or some kind of trauma to the nail bed for instance, if you dropped something on your toe. There is no treatment for toenail trauma, but removing the nail may be an option if the nail is painful.
If you do have a toenail fungus, your doctor will likely recommend one or more of the following treatment options:
Nail Fungus: Symptoms And Treatment
13 June 2017
Nail fungus, also medically known as onychomycosis, is a chronic fungal infection of the fingernails and/or toenails by dermatophytes, also known as ringworm, yeasts and molds, leading to gradual destruction of the nail plate. It is more likely to affect toenails, particularly the first toenail, than fingernails, according to the National Institutes of Health .
Fungal infection of the nail is very common. About half of the population is affected with nail fungus by the time they reach 70 years of age, said Dr. Raza Aly, professor emeritus of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Fungus is responsible for 50 percent of all nail disease, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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Can I Treat Toenail Fungus At Home
Treating nail fungus at home is not the most effective treatment but it is possible. At-home nail fungus treatment is usually the first thing that a person will try. The most common treatment options consist of topical medication which you can purchase at your local pharmacy. If mediation is not the route you want to go, you may also try tea tree oil. Tea tree oil nail fungus treatment is the more holistic approach to taking care of this problem.
Foot Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
A foot fungus is a fungal infection of the skin, better known as athletes foot, says Sundling. The fungus enters through cracks in the skin. Its known as athletes foot because athletes or anyone who is more active and sweats a lot is more at risk. Kids are also more at risk, because they dont tend to wear different shoes, and changing your shoes is one way to avoid foot fungus.
Foot fungus is very common. It does not mean that someone is dirty or didnt bathe, and if you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible, says Sundling.
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Additional Tips For Treating And Preventing Nail Fungus
- Wash and disinfect all of your shoes and socks.
- Disinfect your nail clippers with hot water and alcohol.
- Keep your fingers and toes covered when you are outside.
- Keep your nails short and clean.
- Thoroughly dry your nails after washing your hands and feet.
- Spray your gloves and shoes with anti-fungal sprays on a regular basis to kill lingering fungi.
- Always dry your shoes and socks properly. Moisture is your worst enemy as it creates a breeding ground for fungus.
Affects Ears Fingers Nails Toes And Genitals
Fungal infections are some of the most common infections, affecting various parts of the body like, ears, fingers, nails, toes, genitals etc. Nail fungus is one such infection.
Onychomycosis is the name of the type of fungus that causes infection on nails both toenails and fingernails. This infection takes time to develop so you might not notice is initially.
Fungi are always present in your body alongside bacteria. The nail becomes infected when there is an overgrowth of fungus on or under the nail.
This infection is communicable and can spread via direct or indirect contact. For example, if you borrow an infected persons shoes or gloves, you too might catch the infection.
The fungus develops in warm, moist environment. This is why it usually affects toenails rather than fingernails as your feet are mostly covered while you wear shoes which provide the fungus an ideal environment to grow.
Causes and Risk Factors for Nail Fungus
Living or working in a hot, humid environment
Constantly covered feet
Diabetic patients, who have reduced blood circulation in their feet
Direct contact with someone who has nail fungus
Minor cuts or injuries around the nail
Using communal showers or public swimming pools
Sweating a lot, especially in your feet and on your hands
A weak immune system
Medications used to treat toenail fungus include terbinafine and itraconazole . Laser treatment is also available but it is expensive and doesnt guarantee results.
Tea Tree Oil
Vicks
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Baking Soda For Toenail Fungus
People have used Sodium bicarbonate for centuries.
It is a substance that can help us with various conditions, not only with fungus. However, it is especially useful when it comes to skin and nail conditions due to its antifungal and antiseptic properties.
NaHCO is great as it exfoliates surface skin, which in turn destroys layers of fungus located on them. But, that is only a small reason why people use baking soda for toenail fungus. Its alkaline properties are much more important. Sodium bicarbonate creates an acidic environment making it quite hard for fungus to survive.
Baking soda also helps balance the pH level of the surrounding skin. That way, spores are no longer able to reproduce and inhabit the surrounding areas. This localizes the issue, making it easier to eradicate later on.
Another great benefit lies in soda’s ability to absorb moisture. Again, your feet need to be dry at all times. Toenail fungus will affect the whole toenail but is especially persistent beneath them. This area is really hard to dry, unlike surface nail, making it easier for fungus to inhabit. Baking soda effectively puts a stop to it. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should stop paying attention to whether or not your feet are dry. You will also have to do your part in eradicating this nasty condition.
Obviously, there are a lot of pros that should at least persuade you to try it.
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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Who Should Follow An Anti
This diet can be followed by anyone who has a toenail fungus infection. Only people with chronic vitamin or mineral deficiencies should refrain from going on a strict diet.
They should consult their doctor before eliminating a few foods from their diet. The following people should not follow a strict Anti-Fungal Diet.
- Mineral Deficiency
It is always advised that you consult a doctor before making major changes in your diet.
How To Use It
Apply mentholated ointment directly to the affected nail. Do this about once a day for several weeks or until the nail shows noticeable improvements.
Vinegar is a common household product found in cooking and some home cleaning solutions. Though no clinical evidence exists to date, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that vinegar is an effective tool to help treat toenail fungus.
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What Is A Fungal Infection
Fungus, plural fungi is a class of organisms with over 144,000 known species. Fungus holds great importance for the environment and medical sector. Fungi are considered as one of the most widely distributed organisms worldwide Some are found free-living in soil or water others from parasitic or symbiotic relationships with plants or animals. Some common examples of fungi include Mushroom, mildews and mold. However, not all types of fungi are harmful but some can cause severe suffering for human beings and other living organisms.
Fungal infections are common all over the world and it only occurs when an invading fungus captures over the human body and the immune system of human is too weak to combat. Fungi are populated in our environment and are found flying freely in the atmosphere, they also divide and reproduce in the tiny spores that are present in the air. These fungi that are not visible to eh naked eye can enter into the human body through our respiratory system and can land inside to form a parasitic relationship within our lungs, throat, liver or any other hospitable part of the body causing a severe infection. In some cases, fungi also attack the intestines or the genital area of the human body causing severe hazard to health however, almost all the infection caused by fungus are curable with proper care and treatment.
Tips While Using Bleach For Toenail Fungus
Just in case you need to get the best results, there are some tips to keep in mind. While using bleach foot soak or a paste, use some tactics to get effective treatment. The bleach must be able to penetrate the nail. The deeper it goes, the more successful the procedure would be.
Here are some of the tips, have a look:
Best Home Remedies That Help You Combat Digestive Issues
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Toenail Fungus Home Care
Sometimes itâs possible to treat your toenail fungus at home. You can try:
- Over the counter antifungal creams or ointments. File or cut off any white markings on your nails. Soak your nails in water and dry off before you put on the medicated cream.
- Special nail care. If you keep your nails trimmed, it can reduce the pressure and pain you feel. You can also thin your nail bed by filing it down. This can help antifungal creams get to the problem easier.
Do Vinegar Soaks Help Toe Fungus
In short, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to suggest vinegar foot soaks can help you to get rid of fungal toenail infections over time and with repeated use.
However, there is no concrete clinical evidence to suggest that vinegar will definitely work, though some users do report that the treatment can work on mild cases of fungal infections. It is also a low-risk treatment, so it is unlikely to cause you any harm if you do decide to test out this home remedy.
Usually, your doctor will recommend using medication to treat toe fungus rather than relying on a home remedy.
There are two main types of medical treatment that are normally recommended for fungal nail infections: nail paints and tablets.
Amorolfine nail paint is available from our online pharmacy for the topical treatment of fungal toenail infections. The antifungal nail paint works by stopping the growth of fungus that causes infections. It also breaks down the fungi cells and removes the fungus as the nail grows out. Amorolfine is the cheaper generic version of the branded Curanail antifungal treatment.
Antifungal tablets like Terbinafine also treat fungal nail infections but have to be prescribed by a GP or nurse and may require an initial blood test before you start treatment.
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After Application: See How Your Feet Respond
It is important to minimize the risk that you end up hurting yourself.
Getting rid of the fungus is high on the priority list, but a persons overall health is more important.
Test to see if bleach is right for you. Start out with 1:10 dilution of bleach and water.
If irritation does not occur, gradually increase the bleach to water ratio.
Putting the bleach directly on the nail should be avoided if you have sensitive skin. If applying bleach directly to the nail is causing issues, then dilute the bleach and then try the application.
If bleach just is not working for you or causing pain and discomfort, there are alternatives.
Toenail Fungus Treatment Options
Treatment of onychomycosis will vary, depending on the severity of the infection and the type of fungus that initially triggered the infection. Topical treatments like antifungal creams and medicated nail lacquers are among the most effective treatment options for toenail fungus.
Laser treatment or the surgical removal of the toenail may be necessary in more severe cases of toenail fungus. Over-the-counter products and home remedies are also methods used alone or in conjunction with prescription drugs to treat nail fungus and prevent reinfection.
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How To Use Baking Soda For Toenail Fungus
Most people will tell you that toenail fungus shouldn’t be ignored. The condition is primarily esthetic, but if left untreated, it can lead to some nasty complications.
Things get even more complicated when you realize that fungus has high adaptability. It thrives in a humid environment, and given that our feet are often sweaty, you can easily see why some people deal with this condition for months and months.
But, this is just the beginning of our troubles. It is tough to treat the condition, which is why some people opt for alternative treatments, such as using baking soda for toenail fungus.
Nail Anatomy And Onychomycosis Infection
Figure 1 shows the composition of the nail, including the nail plate , nail bed and nail matrix.
Figure 1: Nail anatomy and physiology
The nail plate and nail bed are joined by layers of hard, translucent, keratinised cells. The nail bed and nail matrix are vascular components of the nail, with nail cells located within the nail matrix where the nail plate is formed. The thickness of the nail plate determines the length of the matrix
- Apply cosmetic nail varnishes or artificial nails
- Walk without footwear in public areas
- Cut nails too short.
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Toenail Fungus Treatment Complications
Here are some things to think about when deciding on a nail fungus treatment.
If you have a disease like diabetes, your doctor will make sure you treat nail fungus. This illness often makes you more likely to have other problems from minor foot issues.
You may not be able to take antifungal pills because of side effects or because they donât work well with other drugs you take. If that’s the case, try a product that goes onto your nail. Your doctor will call this a topical treatment.
Be patient. Your nails may not look “normal” after treatment. It can take as long as a year to 18 months for your nail to grow out a fungus.
Remedies And Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Over-the-Counter Antifungals
Antifungal remedies help to stop the growth of the fungus. Over-the-counter options do not claim to cure toenail fungus, but they can help to improve the look of the affected nail. These products do not work as well as prescription medications. To cure toenail fungus, a remedy has to penetrate the nail and nail bed. Most over-the-counter remedies for nail fungus are topical and do not penetrate deeply enough.
Trim, Buff, and Thin the Affected Nail
Keeping your nails trim, buffed, and clean helps to prevent the spread of the fungus to other nails. Additionally, buffing the nail can allow topical antifungals to penetrate more deeply. Make sure to wash your hands promptly after touching the affected nail, especially before touching other nails.
Vicks VapoRub
Vicks VapoRub is a product marketed for people with coughs. However, it may also be effective against toenail fungus. One small study showed that after applying it topically each day for 48 weeks, 27.8% of participants fully cured their nail fungus â and 55.6% of participants saw partial improvement. However, more study is needed.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil comes from the Australian tea tree. It is an essential oil traditionally used as an antibacterial and antifungal treatment. Early research shows that it may help with nail fungus when used topically. However, more research is needed. If you do use tea tree oil for toenail fungus, only use it topically.
- Confusion
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