How To Get Rid Of Nail Bed Fungus

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 .

When To See A Doctor

In most cases, toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic problem. Still, it may cause serious complications for some people.

If you have diabetes, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is a significant risk factor for bacterial cellulitis of the leg.

If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you shouldnt use home remedies for toenail fungus. Contact your doctor for the appropriate course of action.

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.

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Stop Repetitive Toenail Injury

If you have black toenails because of repetitive trauma, these suggestions can help.

• Wear Athletic Shoes with Extra Space for Your Toes
• Use Silicone Toe Caps
• Tie Your Laces So Your Feet Dont Slide Inside Your Shoes

Give your toes enough room so they dont hit with each step. Add a cushion, and experiment with different ways to tie your shoes.

What Is A Fungal Nail Infection

Fungal nail infections are a common problem that can affect any nail, but most often affects the toenails.

Theyre caused by the growth of fungal spores that make their way between the toenail and the skin underneath the nail bed. The spores feed off the skin or the keratin in the nail.

The type of fungi responsible for athletes foot, another common foot condition that affects the skin mainly between the toes, can cause the infection to spread to the nails.

More rarely, fungal nail infections can be caused by other types of fungi, usually yeasts, which tend to attack nails that are already damaged because they are easier for the fungi to invade.

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Inflammation Of The Skin Alongside The Nail Paronychia

The skin lying alongside the nail can become infected with bacteria, typically Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is called paronychia. Symptoms may include pain, redness and swelling around the cuticle and yellow-green discharge.Treatment for paronychia includes:

• Keeping your feet as dry as possible
• Use of barrier creams, antiseptic lotions and antifungal preparations
• Antibiotic therapy .

Chronic paronychia is more difficult to treat. In chronic paronychia, the nail may distort and become discoloured, and the skin may lift at the site of infection. Sometimes, the inflammation spreads from one nail to another. A range of micro-organisms working together are responsible for chronic paronychia.

How To Make A Vinegar Foot Soak

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Overview

We demand a lot from our feet. They carry our bodies around all day, often from within uncomfortable shoes. Its no wonder many of us end up with blisters, pain, odor, and fungus, like athletes foot.

Fortunately, theres a simple solution to your woes, and it can be found in your kitchen.

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How Fungi Infect The Nail

Onchomycosis, or toenail fungal infection, is an invasion by a microscopic organism that thrives in warm, damp environments. Fungal spores are in the air, and they will grow if they land on a receptive surface like your toenail. They feed off the nail tissues, burrowing into the skin under the nail. Over time the nail thickens and may lift off the nail bed as fungal debris accumulates. Once your nail is raised off the nail bed, it won’t reattach, and a new nail won’t grow from that part of the nail bed. However, your nail will continue to grow from the root at the base.

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Nail Problems

Any abnormal changes to your nails should be medically investigated. See your doctor for treatment or possible referral to a dermatologist. If the cause of your nail problem is not immediately apparent, your doctor may take nail clippings and scrapings from beneath the nail for laboratory analysis. Fingernail infections usually respond faster to treatment than toenail infections.Depending on the cause, treatment may include:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections
• Antifungal preparations, mainly oral tablets, for fungal infections in the nails
• Treatment for any contributing skin disease
• Advice on appropriate nail care.

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How To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus Fast With Otc Treatments

You will find multiple options for over the counter medications that deal with toenail fungus. Here we will take a look at a few of the top names in the game to give you an idea of what is available as well as what you can expect from these various OTC products.

Emoninail is designed to penetrate the nail bed where the fungi lives thanks to a very effective and simple to use topical solution. One thing customers truly love about this product is their unique follow-up through a mobile app to help users get the best results as fast as possible. Another thing that customers appreciate very much is their money back guarantee. No results in 60 days? Full Refund! This product is backed by outstanding customer care and an impressive track record. Read more about Emoninail.

Zeta Clear This over the counter product offers a proven toenail fungus treatment. The company utilizes a powerful formulation that includes the FDA-recognized Undecylenic Acid along with other ingredients blended in therapeutic dosage. On its website, you can read that clinical studies have shown Zeta Clear to be up to 6 times more effective than similar OTC products! No wonder that for tens of thousands of people over the world ZetaClear has been the proper answer to the question how to get rid of toenail fungus as fast as possible. Read more about Zetaclear.

These OTC treatments offer some of the safest and fastest ways to get rid of toenail fungus.

> > Learn more about leading over-the-counter treatment

When Should You See A Doctor

A black toenail doesnt really require a doctors visit, toenail infection can usually be treated at home and may not require a doctors diagnosis unless the fungal infection is extremely severe. But if the nail infection is at an early stage then you can treat the infection with a couple of home remedies or antifungal treatments. To be on the safe side, if you dont know the cause of your black toenail, its a good idea to see your doctor just in case your black toenail is a sign of a more serious health problem.

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How Did I Get Fingernail Fungus

Fungal nail infection can develop in people at any age, but its more common in older adults. As the nail ages, it can become brittle and dry. The resulting cracks in the nails allow fungi to enter. Other factors such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system also may play a role.

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• Nails support and protect the sensitive tips of our fingers and toes.
• Common causes of nail problems include injury, infection and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Some conditions need professional treatment from a doctor or a dermatologist.
• People with diabetes or compromised immune systems have a higher risk of fungal nail infections.
• Toenail problems tend to be more common among older people.

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Treatment Options For Nail Fungus

Interviewer:

Most of my conversation is usually discussing medical therapy, so things that are available by prescription only. And those come in two main forms, which are topical antifungal medications, and then oral antifungal medications. There are other surgical or procedural options, so you can remove nails as well. And then there’s starting to be more interest in technologies like lasers for nail fungus.

When To Contact A Doctor

Toenail fungus is typically not a significant problem for most people. However, if there are no improvements or complications occur as a result of home remedies, people should speak with a doctor and stop using the home remedy as soon as possible. It is also advisable to contact a podiatrist if a person notices any discoloration, thickening, or abnormality of the toenails.

Furthermore, people at higher risk for complications should seek medical treatment for their toenail fungus and avoid home remedies altogether. This includes those with diabetes or with weakened immune systems.

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Pathophysiology Of Toenail Fungus

The pathophysiology of a disease refers to the study of changes caused by it to the suffering organ or organism. In the case of toenail and fingernail fungal infections, the pathophysiology of the nail is altered such that it is not able to provide its normal function. The nail becomes distorted, weak and the whole morphology may appear different. The function of the nail is to protect by providing a hard covering to the nail bed. In this case, the affected nail part or even the whole nail fails to do so. This results in weakening of the nail and often times the nail even gets separated from the nail bed.

How To Treat Fungal Nail Effectively

Owing to the high recurrence rate of fungal nail infections, pharmacy professionals should be able to advise patients on effective treatment and preventative and appropriate self-care strategies to avoid re-infection.

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Fungal nail infection is a mycotic infection caused by fungal invasion of the nail structure and is one of the most common nail disorders, representing half of nail abnormalities in adults. Its prevalence in Europe is around 4.3% over all age groups and 15.5% of all nail dystrophies in children. OM is more commonly diagnosed in men and older people, affecting 2050% of people aged over 60 years. An increased incidence among older people may be attributed to multiple factors, including reduced peripheral circulation, diabetes, inactivity, relative immunosuppression, and reduced nail growth and quality. Toenails are affected more commonly than fingernails.

This article will cover the causes, types and treatment of OM, practical information to help guide patient consultations and when to refer to podiatry.

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Signs And Symptoms Of A Fungal Nail Infection

A fungal nail infection may not cause any obvious symptoms at first.

As it progresses, the infection can cause:

• discolouration of the nail it may turn white, black, yellow or green
• thickening and distortion of the nail it may become an unusual shape or texture and be difficult to trim
• pain or discomfort particularly when using or placing pressure on the affected toe or finger
• brittle or crumbly nails pieces may break off and come away completely

Sometimes the skin nearby may also become infected and be itchy and cracked or red and swollen.

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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How Do You Treat Toenail Fungus

Depending on the nature and severity of your infection, treatments may vary. Most over-the-counter treatments are minimally effective at best, but almost none of them have produced a permanent treatment. The main reason for these poor results is that the fungal infection resides deep within the nail or nail bed and the topical medications have great difficulty in penetrating to this depth. A fungus may work its way through the entire nail, penetrating both the nail plate and the nail bed. Podiatrist Dr. Burns at Arizona Foot Doctors offers penetrative nail fungus treatments to completely remove the fungal infection. Each patient case is unique, so consult with Dr. Burns to find the best treatment option for you. Treatment may include:

• Topical or oral medication and debridement . The newer oral antifungal medications are the most effective . Common oral medications are Lamisil and Sporanox. A common topical medication is Penlac nail lacquer.
• Temporary removal of the infected nail
• Permanent removal

Are There Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus

The Internet is filled with anecdotal information on how to cure toenail fungus using home remedies. Vinegar is a commonly recommended home remedy. Some people apply various oils such as tea tree oil, coconut oil, essential oils, and oil of cedar leaf to their nails as well. The effectiveness of these home remedies is highly doubtful. Application of household bleach and hydrogen peroxide is also not recommended due to lack of evidence that these treatments work. These agents can also cause unwanted skin irritation. Thickened nails that have been affected by fungus can be difficult to trim. Using topical urea cream will soften the nail and make it easier to trim. These creams do not require a prescription.

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Do Fungal Nail Infections Occur On Both Hands & Feet

Fungal nail infections tend to affect toenails far more than fingernails. This is because the feet are more often exposed to the kind of environments and surfaces where this type of infection thrives.

The infection can appear on any part of your nail but usually occurs under the nail plate on the nail bed.

Side Effects Of Using Hydrogen Peroxide On Your Nails

Hydrogen peroxide may effectively heal your fungal infection, however, it may also cause some side effects in the process. If you have particularly sensitive skin, you must consult with a physician before carrying on these treatments.

The risk of using hydrogen peroxide is as follows:

• There is a high likelihood of skin irritation, even with concentration levels as low as 3%. This will include redness, stinging, and mild itching.
• It may result in dried feet and cracked heels.
• Hydrogen peroxide may also cause your skin to peel.

If you have been experiencing any of the above symptoms, we advise that you use a concentration level lower than 3%. You can also further dilute hydrogen peroxide with water to reduce its concentration level.

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