How To Cut Out Toenail Fungus

Top 5 Signs Your Toenail Fungus May Have Escalated To An Infection

A little case of toenail fungus is practically a rite of passage you quickly learn not to go barefoot in a locker room or shared shower area again and to always pack clean socks. But what happens when your toenail problem goes beyond a suspect smell and yellowed appearance?

At Rocky Mountain Foot and Ankle Center, with locations in Wheat Ridge, Granby, Evergreen, and Arvada, Colorado, our team of podiatrists and foot and ankle surgeons provide care for fungal toenail infections and much more. They believe in educating patients about skin and nail care so you can help avoid common problems and keep your feet healthy and strong.

What Causes A Nail Fungal Infection

The infection is usually caused by exposure to a fungus. The fungus grows in wet, dark conditions. The fungus grows when your feet are in warm, sweaty environment . It enters your nail through a crack in the nail.

Nail fungal infections happen at any age. They are more common in adults older than 60 years of age. They are common in people who have diabetes or circulation problems. They also are common in people with a weakened immune system. Men are more likely than women to get fungal nail infections.

You Dont Cut Your Toenails Properly

Next, your toenails might be curved because you dont cut them properly.

A lot of people instinctually cut their toenails by following the curve of the toe. Even though it might look weird to cut your toenails straight across, this is actually the best way to cut them.

If you cut your toenails by following the curve of your toe, you could cause your toenail to grow back curved.

If you cut along the side of the toenail near the cuticle, you could predispose yourself to an ingrown toenail.

This could lead to an infection, which is a complication you defiantly want to avoid!

To stay away from this issue, make sure you cut your toenails straight across.

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My Personal Journey In Curing Nail Fungus For Good A Weekly Treatment Diary

This is a guest post series from a follower of the blog. The goal is to chronicle the various ways one person can treat and get rid of nail fungus for good. We hope you enjoy!

Week 1 Hi my name is John and if you are like me one day you looked down at your feet and thought wow my toenails look pretty gross. Could be at a pool party, walking on the beach or just wearing your flip flops out in public. For me I love training in martial arts. In the martial arts gym you are always barefooted. No shoes allowed! It was there one day that it hit me, amongst all these 20 somethings with clear nails my nails looked yellow and crusty. It was really embarrassing and I vowed to clear them up once and for all.

Nail fungus never really appears out of the blue its a gradual thing get a crack in your nail walk around the shower in the gym barefooted wearing your shoes constantly without letting you toes breath and next thing you know your nail start getting little cracks and discolored. My story is that I took a break with martial arts training to have a family and to work on my career and so after 5 years decided to starting training again. I never really cared what my feet looked like, however that changed when I got back into martial arts.

In the gym you are training in close quarters, whether you are grappling, wrestling or sparring so being clean and cleanliness in general is of a high concern. You dont want to be that guy that has terrible body odor or super bad breath

Week 2

Studies To Support How Treatable Toenail Fungus Is

In a recent study conducted by NCBI, it has been proven how topical treatments are ineffective in most cases with severe infections.

Thu study however supports topical nail polishes: Nail fungus can be treated topically with over-the-counter colorless nail polishes. They generally contain the ingredients amorolfine or ciclopirox.

The treatment for a toenail fungus infection is highly possible with the correct combination of an oral antifungal drug and a topical nail polish containing the right drug for the right person.

The medicines should not be orally consumed for more than 6 weeks or there may be chances of damaging ones liver.

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How To Cut Toenails With Fungus

Cutting toenails with fungus is similar to the process for cutting thick toenails. If you leave the fungus untreated, your nails will continue to thicken and might get to a thickness that requires some additional action including:

• medical-grade toenail clippers, as standard clippers may not be able to cut all the way through and can slip off the nail and cut your skin
• longer foot soak
• clipper disinfection using alcohol or diluted bleach

If you think that you have a fungal infection, make an appointment to see your doctor.

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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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Toenail Corrector Kit Tools

Toenail corrector: This contraption might look like a medieval torture device with its hooks and large center screw, but its the device thats specifically designed to quickly reshape a toenail. It is used after soaking the foot in warm water to gently free the sides of the nail from the nail folds. Once straightened, the nail must be fully dry before removing the tool. Individuals have varying degrees of success with this device, often requiring the use of a longer-term toenail brace to more effectively correct the toenails growth.

Toenail brace: This small metal band clamps over the toe like the toenail corrector and also gently pulls the edges of the nail out of the nail folds. The difference is this device is meant to be worn long-term.

Adhesive tape: Some toenail correction sets include adhesive tape that is applied over the toenail brace to help hold it in place for extended periods of time.

Toenail correction stickers: An alternative to the toenail corrector or toenail brace is a correction sticker. This thin, I-beam-shaped strip wraps around the front of the toe and under the edges of the nail to keep them from digging into the nail folds. Alternatively, there are smaller versions that are designed to be placed directly on the nail to pull the sides of the nail up in the same manner that anti-snoring strips open up nasal passages. These are best for less extreme corrections.

Can Cbd Oil Cure Toenail Fungus The Results May Shock You

Fungal infections in general, and particularly the infection of a nail plate pose a considerable treatment challenge. The reasons are many the nail plate structure, the fact it lacks reparation mechanisms , the speed of its growth , and the biological characteristics of the fungi.

The therapeutic properties of CBD oil have been intensively studied in the past few decades with somewhat encouraging results. Research shows it has neuroprotective properties , changes psychological response to food , can be used as a painkiller in certain conditions , and there are encouraging results in cancer treatment as well . The health benefits of CBD oil does not end here- at any given moment, dozens of preclinical and clinical research studies are conducted across the world while the body of evidence updates daily. Multiple sclerosis, HIV, opioid addiction, various psychiatric conditions, and cancer are only some of the areas CBD oil research focuses on.

But, can it treat toenail fungus? This article is all about CBD oil in the treatment of toenail fungus. Theoretical and practical concepts, research studies and experiences of people who used it for the treatment of toenail fungus.

Cannabinoids and terpenoids- a short guide through their effects

Cannabigerol , a biochemical precursor of cannabinoids mentioned above is another member of a cannabinoids family. It shows the strongest antifungal and antimicrobial effects compared to CBN and CBC .

Online reports

To try it or not to try it?

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What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus

With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.

To clear the fungus, its important to:

• Use the treatment exactly as prescribed

• Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed

• Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist

Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.

Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.

ImageGetty Images

ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.

Cutting Wet Or Dry Nails

The third step is answering a common question: Should I cut my nails before or after I shower? In most cases, the answer is before. Dry toenails are less likely to bend or tear when you cut them, so you will get a cleaner cut.

For people with very thick toenails, cutting will be easier after a shower.

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How To Cut Toenails

• Takeaway

The best way to cut toenails

Cutting your toenails properly is an important step in preventing painful ingrown toenails a condition when nails curve and grow into the skin, which often leads to pain and sometimes to infection.

There are six main components or steps to cutting your toenails properly.

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Why Do My Toenails Curl

Toenails curl for many reasons. It could be the result of an ingrown nail or pincer nail. Or it could be because of genetics, infection, or cutting your toenails improperly. Occasionally, it could be something more serious, such as in response to a health condition or medications, that course abnormality to the nails.

If youve noticed your nails curling, theres a good chance that youre very concerned.

After all, when things dont grow correctly, there can be pain involved.

Or you may just be worried about the way that it looks.

Its not unusual, and its something that can be concerning.

However, the causes are almost always something relatively minor.

So you can relax!

First, look at how your nails are curling. That can separate the different causes.

What Are Treatments For Toenail Fungus

Do you need to treat your nail fungus? Maybe it doesn’t hurt, and the yellow, thick nails don’t bother you.

But nail fungus doesn’t go away by itself. And if you don’t treat it, there’s a chance it could get worse. It could spread to other nails or through your body. It could cause pain when you walk.

There are a number of ways to take care of it, including:

Nonprescription options. You can buy antifungal creams, gels, and nail polish at the store and online without a prescription. You might want to try one of them first if the infection doesn’t look bad. Some people also swear by home remedies like menthol rub, tea tree oil, mouthwash, or snakeroot extract — but studies show mixed results.

Prescription polish and creams. Your foot doctor will likely trim your nail and file away its dead layers. They may also take a piece of your nail and send it to the lab to make sure itâs really a fungus and to find out what type it is.

The doctor might suggest an antifungal drug that you paint on your nails. This may work on its own, or they may suggest you take it with antifungal pills.

Prescription medications. One of several antifungal pills may help. They work, but it may take many months to do the job. They also come with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and headaches. They may cause liver damage too, so your doctor will watch you closely while you take them. Be sure to tell them about any other meds youâre taking — some antifungal pills might not work well with them.

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What Causes Fungal Nails And What Are Some Of The Risk Factors

In normal, healthy people, fungal infections of the nails are most commonly caused by fungus that is caught from moist, wet areas. Communal showers, such as those at a gym or swimming pools, are common sources. Going to nail salons that use inadequate sanitization of instruments in addition to living with family members who have fungal nails are also risk factors. Athletes have been proven to be more susceptible to nail fungus. This is presumed to be due to the wearing of tight-fitting, sweaty shoes associated with repetitive trauma to the toenails. Having athlete’s foot makes it more likely that the fungus will infect your toenails. Repetitive trauma also weakens the nail, which makes the nail more susceptible to fungal infection.

Elderly people and people with certain underlying disease states are also at higher risk. Anything that impairs your immune system can make you prone to getting infected with the fungus. These include conditions such as AIDS, diabetes, cancer, psoriasis, or taking any immunosuppressive medications like steroids.

What Should You Do For The Best Outcome

Regardless of the recommended course of treatment for fungal nails, one thing always tends to ring true:

The sooner you come for help with fungal toenails, the better your chances of treatment successand the faster you can see results!

Letting the fungus continue to grow and thrive within your toenails will only increase the challenge of fighting it.

You dont even have to wait until your nails are looking that bad to come to see us. In the earliest stages of a fungal infection, you may only see some white streaks or spots under your nail. It can be easy to pass these off as simple nicks and bumps on the nail, but keep track of them. If they change shape or grow over time, its worth having us take a look. Catching a fungal infection this early can save you plenty of time.

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Living With A Nail Fungal Infection

If you have a nail fungal infection, some things can help:

• Keep your nails cut short and file down any thick areas.
• Dont use the same nail trimmer and file on healthy nails and infected nails. If you have your nails professionally manicured, bring your own nail file and trimmer from home.
• Wear waterproof gloves for wet work . Wear 100% cotton gloves for dry work.
• Wear socks made of wicking material . This pulls moisture away from the skin. Change your socks when they are damp from sweat or if your feet get wet. Put on clean, dry socks every day. Put over-the-counter antifungal foot powder inside your socks to keep your feet dry.
• Wear shoes with good support and a wide toe area. Dont wear pointed shoes that press your toes together.
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas, such as locker rooms.

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Can A Nail Fungal Infection Be Prevented Or Avoided

Avoid situations that expose you to a fungus. This includes walking barefoot in locker rooms and having wet hands and feet often. This might be a problem for people who work in restaurants or house cleaning. People in a family can get nail fungal infections at the same time. This happens when their immune systems arent able to fight off the infection. Or it could be the infection is spread when using the same towels. It is important to routinely clean your shower, tub, and bathroom to lower risk of fungal infection.

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