How To Get Rid Of Hard Toenail Fungus

How Do Dermatologists Treat A Fungal Nail Infection

Treatment usually begins with your dermatologist trimming your infected nail, cutting back each infected nail to the place where it attaches to your finger or toe. Your dermatologist may also scrape away debris under the nail. This helps get rid of some fungus.

To completely get rid of the infection, most people also need one or more of the following treatments:

Medicine you apply to the nail: If you have a mild infection, a medicine that you apply to your nails may get rid of the infection. This treatment helps keep new fungus out while the nails grow. Fingernails typically grow out in four to six months. Toenails take longer, usually takes 12 to 18 months.

Probably the most difficult part of this treatment is remembering to use it as often as prescribed. Some treatments must be applied every day. Others you apply once a week. To get the best results, its essential that you apply these medicines exactly as directed.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the following medicines that you apply to the nail to treat nail fungus:

• Amorolfine

• Efinaconazole

• Tavaborole

Side effects from these medicines are generally mild. Possible side effects include redness and swelling, an ingrown toenail, and stinging or burning when you apply the medicine. In clinical trials, none of these side effects caused patients to stop using the treatment.

The FDA has approved the following systemic medicines to treat nail fungus:

• Fluconazole

• Itraconazole

• Terbinafine

What Is Black Toenail Fungus

If you have a dark, thick toenail, it could be toenail fungus, which is usually caused by a type of fungus called dermatophytes. It affects the toenail and the area beneath the nail and causes color changes, thickening, and abnormally shaped nails.

Its fairly common, with at least 12% of American adults diagnosed with it, according to Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery. Older adults and people with diabetes, circulation problems, or a weakened immune system are more likely to have toenail fungus.

This infection doesnt usually go away on its own, and it can take a year or more to treat it with prescription medications. These are applied to the nail or taken in pill form.

Horizontal Ridges On Toenails

When your toenails have lines which run from left to right, over the entire structure of the nail, theyre usually accompanied by deeper grooves than their vertical counterparts.

Horizontal ridges on toenails usually, though not always, indicate untreated health issues within a person.

Seattle Foot Doctor states that a number of serious illnesses can prompt horizontal ridges, also known as Beaus lines.

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How To Diagnose Yellow Nail Syndrome

You shouldnt ignore a change in nail color or shape, especially if your nails turn yellow. Yellow nails can indicate a problem with your liver or kidney, diabetes mellitus, fungal infections, or psoriasis, which need to be treated by a doctor.

If you develop yellow nails along with swelling or respiratory problems, see a doctor.

A doctor may diagnose yellow nail syndrome if you exhibit primary symptoms of the condition. Your doctor may also order a pulmonary function test to measure how well your lungs work or take a sample of your nail to check for fungus.

How Are Thick Toenails Treated

Although not all cases of toenail fungus need to be treated, thick toenails may be a sign that the fungus has gotten worse. Several methods are available to treat your toenails. You can try some home-based treatments first and then talk to your doctor about prescription-based options. Topical and oral medications are the mainstays of therapy.

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Keratin Buildup Under Toenails Causes: How To Get Rid Of It

Keratin is a type of protein which is found in hair, nail and the outer layer of skin. This fibrous protein keeps the nail strong and hard. However, at the same time a buildup of keratin under the nail can make the nail discolored and brittle and distorted. Keratin buildup can occur in fingernail as well as toenail. Though keratin is a hard material it can become soft under the nail when it comes in contact with moisture constantly.

Because of excess of buildup, in worst scenario the nail may get separated from the nail bed.

The best way to prevent keratin buildup is to prevent fungal infection or trauma. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, for example regular topical application of anti fungal cream will help to combat fungus in nail and thus get rid of excess of keratin.

How Are Thick Toenails Diagnosed

See a doctor if you notice a change in the appearance of your nails. Treating a fungal infection in its early stages will help prevent the condition from worsening.

Your doctor will look at your nails to diagnose the condition. The doctor may also take a swab underneath the nail or take a toenail clipping to diagnose the condition.

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Best Soak: Purely Northwest Tea Tree Oil Foot & Body Soak

• Relaxes muscles with Epsom and sea salts

• All-natural solution

• Essential oils may be potential allergens

If youre looking for an all-natural route to treat toenail fungus, then this foot soak could be for you. Not only is a foot soak a relaxing way to end your day, but the ingredients used in Purely Northwests soak include Epsom salt, sea salt, tea tree oil, and other oils. These ingredients soothe the skin while addressing foot and toenail fungus.

The combined ingredients work to dry out the fungus to prevent it from spreading. Benefits of the soak also include healing cracked feet and soothing aches.

This US-made product has no dyes or synthetic fragrances, making it a great all-natural solution. But results, depending on severity, might take longer to show when using the soak over prescription or over-the-counter treatments.

Active Ingredients: Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, MSM, and Therapeutic-grade essential oils | Dose: Add 1.5 tablespoons of foot soak mix for every gallon of water. Mix with hands until the salt dissolved. Add additional salts for a more stronger or aromatic foot bath. Soak your feet for About 15-20 minutes. | Uses: Treats fungus all over feet eliminates food odor and aches

• Great for athletes and gym goers

• Cleanses and deodorizes

• Also treats acne, candida, and rashes

• Fragrant oils may be overwhelming

• Tea tree and lavender sooth skin

• Money back guarantee

• Results can take several weeks

• Only for toe and fingernail fungus

• Expensive

Tips To Prevent Fungal Nail Infections

Making a few simple lifestyle changes can help prevent a fungal infection of the nails. Taking good care of your nails by keeping them well trimmed and clean is a good way to prevent infections.

Also avoid injuring the skin around your nails. If youre going to have damp or wet hands for an extended amount of time, you may want to wear rubber gloves.

Other ways to prevent fungal infections of the nails include:

• washing your hands after touching infected nails
• drying your feet well after showering, especially between your toes
• getting manicures or pedicures from trustworthy salons
• avoiding being barefoot in public places
• reducing your use of artificial nails and nail polish

Products to help you avoid nail fungus

If youre prone to excessive moisture around your fingernails or toenails, consider buying:

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Clean Socks And Shoes

Regularly changing your socks and shoes can also cut down on the growth of unwanted foot fungus. Both socks and athletic shoes can also be washed in hot water to rid the growth of yeasts and fungi that may be growing on the fabric. Some shoes can be machine dried. Drying shoes in the sun is another option when cleaning footwear.

Adding a half-cup of baking soda or one cup of vinegar to the washing machine can help eliminate bacteria or fungus on socks or shoes.

Boots and other footwear that are not machine washable could be wiped out with a vinegar and water solution or sprayed with an over-the-counter antifungal spray. Medicated powders are also helpful in treating shoes for foot fungus.

Allowing the feet to breathe by taking off shoes and socks when possible can prevent fungal growth. Protect your feet by wearing breathable footwear and clean socks. Antimicrobial socks and shoes made from bamboo, copper, or specialty fabrics are also available. They can help reduce unwanted bacteria and yeast from growing in your footwear.

A proactive approach to keeping your feet clean and dry can prevent the spread of toenail fungus. You can wash or soak feet with warm soapy water or a foot bath using everyday household items. Soaking your feet in an all-natural, homeopathic concoction can be beneficial in reducing or eliminating toenail fungus.

Black Toenail Fungus Or Black Toenail Melanoma

A subungual melanoma can develop underneath the toenail. This is a dangerous toenail cancer and toe cancer.

Toenail cancer is sporadic and accounts for only about 1-2% of all diagnosed melanomas in the human body.

Of the subungual melanomas, 60% are found in the fingernails, and about 40% are found in the toenails. It is sporadic ever even to consider the black toenail fungus or toenail melanoma question.

Subungual melanomas are more common in older individuals 60+ years or older and have a history of cancerous skin growth.

A subungual melanoma or a toenail melanoma black toenail line is usually very wide .The black line extending into the epidermis is called a Hutchinson sign. It is usually associated with a thickened toenail nodule. It might also possibly show bleeding that extends into the surrounding toenail skin.is

Usually, only one toenail is infected. It is scarce for there to be multiple subungual melanomas.

Important melanoma warning: It is essential to see your podiatrist or your oncologist perform a biopsy.

If a subungual melanoma is not detected, it can spread through the rest of your body. Going to see your podiatrist is a great start to diagnose whether you had a black toenail fungus or a black line associated with subungual melanoma.

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Cure Toenail Pain From Fungus Infection

Know The Symptoms And Reasons You Shouldn’t Wait to Seek Effective Treatment

A painful, thick, yellow, green, brown or black toenail means you could have a toenail fungus infection. If you have a toenail fungal infection it won’t go away on its own. You can’t get rid of it with home remedies or over the counter topical treatments. Learn why, and how to cure it by reading more.

Toenail fungus is common and it can develop when dry, brittle nails develop cracks that allow fungus to enter the nail unit. A toenail fungus infection most often occurs when excessive moisture gets under your toenail and is trapped by your socks and shoes, allowing fungus to grow and thrive. Nail fungus can also be caused by yeast and mold.

Left untreated toenail fungus can become a foot fungus, spreading from your toenail, to the skin in between your toes, your arch and the heel of your foot.

Scratching it or picking at it can also spread it to your fingers, and then to other parts of your body. You can also spread it to other people if you are sharing a shower or tub.

What The Experts Say

The most common presentation of toenail fungus is a white/yellow discoloration of the nail that is thick and filled with yellow/white keratin debris. The more severe the toenail fungus, the thicker the nail, and the more nails involved makes it that much harder to treat the nails even with effective therapies.”Orit Markowitz, MD, founder and CEO of OptiSkin treatment center in New York City.

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Causes Of Toenail Fungus

Well, essentially its an imbalance of bad bacteria to good bacteria in your body. Just like with other health conditions that stem from gut-related problems, when you dont have enough good bacteria living within your gut, you wind up developing high levels of yeast and fungus in your body that can show up on your skin.

Besides poor gut health, other risk factors that can tip the scale in terms of an infection forming include:

• Having athletes foot
• Coming into contact with fungi, for example in nail salons, contaminated swimming pools, gyms and saunas
• Damaged nail beds
• Wearing dirty or tight shoes
• Skin conditions, such as psoriasis
• Circulation problems in the legs, from existing conditions like diabetes or artery disease
• A weakened immune system
• Genetic predisposition

In particular, fungal nail infections can be caused by three different types of fungus, either by themselves or in combination:

Why Do All Podiatrist And Dermatologist Not Know About Toe Nail Fungus I Have Been To 5 Doctors For 10 Years But No One Can Treat Me For The Toenail Fungus What Is So Hard About This

We should also mention that some home remedies may also work. For example, a recent small study suggested that mentholated ointments such as Vicks VapoRub might be effective in treating toenail fungus, depending on the particular microbe that is causing the infection. However, more studies are needed to confirm this remedys efficacy.Our best advice to you is to start back at square one: Consult with your primary care physician and have him or her help you determine the best course of action for treatment. He or she knows your medical history and can recommend and work with a specialist such as a podiatrist or dermatologist to help determine your next step. Two important things to remember: Treating a toenail fungal infection is a long process, and not all remedies may be advisable for you based on your overall medical condition. While toenail fungus can be annoying and unsightly, unless you have diabetes, it does not pose a significant risk to your overall health .

We hope you will continue to seek medical advice and treatment, and that it will lead to the resolution of your condition.

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Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.

Remedies And Treatments For Thick Yellow Toenails

Itâs common for yeasts, molds, and other fungi can enter toenails and cause infection. Itâs important to practice habits that prevent toenail infection and reinfection.

The following measures can help you prevent thick yellow toenails caused by infection:

• Wear sweat-absorbing socks to prevent fungi from forming in the fabric.
• Wear shoes in pool areas and locker rooms where you could come in contact with nail fungus.
• Shoes offer a dark, moist environment that helps fungi grow. Treat old shoes with antifungal powders or disinfectants.
• Wash your hands and feet regularly. Fungal infections are more common in toenails since your feet are in warm, moist environments more often.
• Trim your toenails and smooth the edges with a file. This will make it easier for topical treatments to reach deeper layers of the nail.

Topical treatments administer antifungal agents on your toenails to stop fungal growth. A healthy toenail can then grow back. It takes time for thick yellow toenail treatments to work. You may not see results for months.

Remedies

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Treatments For Yellow Toenails

In most cases, yellow toenails are treatable. There are some medications and home remedies that might help cure yellow toenails or help lighten the yellow color. What treatment your doctor recommends will depend on whats causing the yellow nails.

For example, if your yellow toenails are being caused by a fungal infection, youll need antifungal medication to treat it. One of the most common prescription antifungal medications is ciclopirox 8 percent solution, which is applied to the nails like nail polish.

Other medications that can help cure yellow toenails include applying vitamin E, zinc, and a topical corticosteroid with Vitamin D-3.

Thick Skin Under Fingernails: Home Remedy

Naturally healthy nails are not surrounded by thick or dry skin. Like in the case of toenails, the skin under fingernails turns hard due to various internal and external factors.

• Fungal infection can be responsible for this unnatural texture of skin.
• Chronic skin diseases like psoriasis can show its effect over nail by making them thick.
• Ineffective blood circulation may turn soft skin under fingernails to thick.

Like in the case of toenails, you must initially diagnose with the help of an expert and accordingly start the treatment.

One common way to keep things at bay is to moisturize your hands with coconut oil or other essential oils. These oils are packed with antibacterial properties which can thwart infectious bacteria.

Bacteria grow in the moist and dark environment. So avoid wearing wet gloves, socks or shoes, and when you dont use them keep it under the sun.

These simple tips to get rid of thick skin under the toenails and fingernails may not show instant results but surely youll see long-lasting results if you regularly practice it.

Tips: How to Get Rid of Thick Skin Under Toenails and Fingernails

Prevention is the best option than treatment.

• Wash your toenails and fingernails regularly with anti-bacterial soap.
• Cut your nails short and avoid moisture between nails.
• Prefer shoes that absorb sweat.
• Avoid wearing old shoes.

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