Complications Regarding Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungal infections are typically painless or at least start off that way. But without proper self-care and treatment, the condition can spiral into a more severe case of nail fungus, which can be painful and may cause irretrievable damage to your nails.
Moreover, the toenail infection can sprout other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet, particularly if you have a suppressed immune system due to certain medications, diabetes, or other conditions.
Because people with diabetes are already predisposed to reduced blood circulation and nerve supply in their feet, their odds for catching toenail infections as well as bacterial skin infection are quite high.
Thus, it is imperative for people with diabetes to seek professional medical help for any seemingly minor foot injury including a nail fungal infection to avoid any future complications.
What Does Foot Fungus Look Like
Foot fungus causes slightly dry skin that is often noticeable. In more severe cases, you may see red and peeling dry skin on the soles. Spaces between the toes may also have moisture and peeling, usually producing a foul smell.
Knowing these symptoms is important so that you can apply the correct home remedies. There are three common types of foot fungus:
- Fungus on the soles of the feet
- Fungus on the toes
- The blistering type
The blisters may appear large, with redness and infection. Rashes on the bottom of one or both feet may also be present.
Q: I Get Athlete’s Foot Every Summer What Can I Do To Prevent This From Happening
Fungi thrive in warm, dark, and moist environments, so it is best to wear shoes that are porous and breathe. In addition, allowing air to reach your feet by going barefoot or wearing sandals is helpful. Powders and other drying agents can be used to decrease moisture and stop the fungus from spreading.
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Change Your Socks Daily
When laundry is piling up, it may be tempting to pull a pair of socks out of the hamperbut try not to. Wearing clean socks each day is a key part of foot hygiene and can keep foot fungus from spreading. Be sure to change your socks daily to not re-infect your feet with dirty socks, Rodney explains. Moisture-wicking socks are another option, especially during workouts when your feet may get extra sweaty.
Using Baking Soda For Nail Fungus
The baking soda will be an effective treatment for nail fungus. You can count it as a home remedy for nail fungus. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, and it will take almost three months to treat toenail fungus. You can make a paste of baking soda and apply it on your toenail regularly for best results.
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Ways To Safely Treat Toenail Fungus At Home
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Stocksy/Design by Cristina Cianci
Toenail fungus sounds funky, but believe it or not, its much more common than you think. Thats because the pesky foot issuewhich most often presents as yellowing, cracking, and thickening of the nailscan be caused by everything from slower-growing nails and excessive sweating to athletes foot and walking barefoot in communal areas such as pools, shower rooms, gyms, and the like.
Most infections are caused by tinea species, but can involve harder-to-treat species of dermatophytes,” says Francisco Oliva, DPM. He adds that infections usually occur when theres a combination of issues affecting the toenail. Sometimes there is an injury to the nail at some point, he explains. The effects can be delayed for months and years. Once the fungus invades the nail, the keratin layer of the nail becomes a difficult barrier to penetrate.
Other Important Tips To Get Rid Of Toenail Fungus
- Never Use other Peoples shoes, if you have fungus infection. There are chances that you leave fungus spores in their shoes and this will infect his/her feet as well.
- Visit to doctor if the infection is serious and mild cases can cure with home remedies. Go for check if the toenail fungus become severe as the area around the infection is painful, become red and sometimes have pus in them.
- In some cases, natural remedies may not work. If you do not noticed any improves then consider doctor for checkup. If you have other health related problem like diabetes then you should immediately concern with doctor as toenail fungus gives more complication such as cellulitis.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Home Remedies For Toenail Fungus Infections
Not all Vinegar can kill toe fungus, but apple cider vinegar is effective. This is due to the antifungal properties. All you need to do is soak your feet in apple cider vinegar for 15 minutes a day.
- Which Bleach Kill toenail fungus?
To kill toenail fungus using bleach, soak your feet in bleach water for 15 minutes at night. You can make bleach water, ass a tablespoon of bleach in half-gallon of water.
It is evident that you can take creative steps to treat toenail fungi infection right from the comfort of your home. This article has discussed the causes and risk factors. However, if you want the best nail fungus treatment that is certain to clear your nail fungus in record time, then check out our review of the best nail fungus treatments.
How Much Does Hydrogen Peroxide Cost Without Insurance
Hydrogen Peroxide is a generic, non-prescription compound available separately or in combination with other ingredients in several cosmetic, health, and industrial products. Insured and uninsured customers can expect to pay $2.06 for Hydrogen Peroxide. With a SingleCare discount card and a prescription for Hydrogen Peroxide, you pay only $2.82.
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Apple Cider Vinegar And Epsom Salt
Another foot soak method, this is said to work really well for toenail fungal infections. Apple cider vinegar has a number of healing and antibacterial properties if its organic, making it a go-to for many homeopathic treatments.
- 1/3 cup full strength ACV
- 2 cups hot water
- 1/3 cup Epsom salt
Mix and soak your toes/feet for at least 30 minutes every day. Apple cider vinegar is also a good supplement to take internally for overall health and to promote healing of fungus and bacteria from the inside out.
Best Ointment: Fungi Nail Anti
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Infused with five oils for skin healing
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Easy-to-use brush applicator
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Only for mild infections
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Doesn’t heal the nail plate
Fungi Nail Antifungal Ointment uses an innovative design to address multiple forms of fungal infections one can find on their feet. Its wide-tip applicator applies the appointment on larger areas of the feet, such as the soles and in-between toes. Then the smaller applicator works to get around the nail cuticles and underneath the nail.
Once applied, the maximum-strength ointment kills the fungus with the active ingredients of zinc undecylenate and undecylenic acid to help treat toenail fungus. The ointment also soothes itching and burning that can come with an infection, all while healing the skin. For best results, apply twice a day to clean, dry feet.
The ointment also soothes itching and burning that can come with an infection, all while healing the skin. For best results, apply twice a day to clean, dry feet.
Active Ingredients: Zinc undecylenate 20% and Undecylenic acid 5% | Dose: Tube and brush applicator delivers the appropriate amount. Apply thin layer on affected area twice daily or as directed by a doctor. | Uses: Treats and prevents fungal infections fights athletes foot and ringworm
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How Do I Know If I Have Toenail Or Foot Fungus
Toenail fungus, also know as onychomcosis, is characterized by inflammation, thickening, swelling, yellowing, and pain of the toenail and toe. Another symptom is crumbling of the toenail. Its caused by an abnormal PH of the skin, which can happen because of poor hygiene, a bad immune system, exposure to high levels of moisture, and/or poor circulation. These toenail fungus treatments will prevent or get rid of the problem.
Is It Nail Fungus Or Something Else
While a trained professional is the best source of diagnosing conditions, you can get a general idea of what type of situation you have based on the symptoms. Start by looking at your nails and nail bed.
If its a fungal infection, you might see yellow streaks. You might notice pieces of skin and fragments of the nail under the nail. The nail may be discolored and might . The nail itself might be brittle, broken, or thickened.
Several common nail conditions are commonly mistaken for nail fungus, however.
Because other problems share characteristics with fungal infections, your best bet is to consult a doctor to make sure it IS a toenail fungus infection and not something more serious.
The following are nail conditions that have similar symptoms to nail fungus.
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Home Treatments For Toenail Fungus Don’t Always Work
How long does it take to know if your home treatment remedy option has worked? It depends on the remedy and the severity of the fungal problem. While it usually takes 2 to 3 months for a toenail fungus infection to go away, it can take up to a year to completely heal. Most people will try at least 1 of the above home antifungal treatments before choosing to seek foot care from a professional.
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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How Dangerous Is Toenail Fungus
Its important to treat all infected areas to avoid reinfection.Only treating the soles and not the toenails may result in recurring athletes foot.
Toenail fungus is also called onychomycosis. It is a serious condition because it causes the nail to become brittle and change shape. In addition, debris can get under the nail, causing it to become discolored and detached.
Fungal infections of the toenails can cause complications in diabetic patients. Because it can affect blood circulation in the feet, it can impair the nerves and lead to other unexpected diseases, such as infection spreading to the bones, infection of the blood , cellulitis, and more.
Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Nail Fungus
Although some people may refer to these alternative treatments as quack science, there appears to be a little more to these homemade remedies since many individuals have used them to cure their conditions. However, more research still needs to be conducted on the success rate of home remedies for nail fungus.
Some common and supposedly effective alternative treatments include:
According to Dr. Josh Axe of the Exodus Health Center, apple cidar vinegar not only helps to soothe sunburns, balance pH in the body, manage blood sugar levels, and aid in weight loss, its also an ingredient that contains anti-fungal properties. As such, many sufferers of fungal nail infection have now turned to this healthy food to cure their conditions.
The acidic properties of apple cidar vinegar prevent nail fungus from spreading. At the same time, apple cidar vinegar helps to get rid of dead skin cells while killing bacteria and fungi.
Simply mix it with water in equal parts then soak the infected nails for up to 30 minutes in the solution. Repeat this process daily and pat dry the infected nails after soaking.
Another study conducted by Russian researchers showed that a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide had been instrumental in killing off fungus at the radioactive Chernobyl site.
For this remedy, one should simply apply lemon juice on the infected nail for about 30 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.
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How Fungus Forms On Toenails
Usually toenail infection develops when the nail or surrounding skin has a small crack or cut and the area is exposed to fungus in the environment.
Warm, moist conditions allow fungus to grow. Walking barefoot in locker rooms or shared showers can increase your risk of coming in contact with fungus. Having sweaty feet or wearing non-breathable shoes can help the fungus take hold and spread.
Diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and a weak immune system can increase risk for toenail fungus.
Its also more common in older adults. Up to half of adults over the age of 70 may have toenail fungus, according to the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. A previous toenail injury, psoriasis, hyperhidrosis, and smoking can also increase risk. Children are rarely affected.
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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White Vinegar Or Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is slightly acidic, so natural remedies like apple cider vinegar work to balance the pH of the skin. It also helps to prevent the fungus from spreading and kills bacteria and fungi. Mix equal parts vinegar and water and soak the infected area for 30 minutes daily. Make sure to thoroughly dry your foot after.
Complications: What If The Infection Is Left Untreated
If the nail fungus spreads deeper into the nail bed, it will cause the nail to thicken and turn green, yellow, brown, or black. As the infection progresses, the infected nail becomes brittle and pieces of it will start to break off from the toe or finger completely. Should the condition be left untreated, it can spread to other nails or cause skin around the infected nail to become inflamed. In more advanced stages, a foul smell may develop and white or yellow patches may be seen on the exposed nail bed. Over time, severe fungal nail infections can cause permanent damage to the nail root or nail bed.
It can be quite embarrassing to have this condition since this is an infection thats hard to hide. People with Onychomycosis may also find it difficult or painful to wear shoes, walk, or stand for long periods of time if their toenails have been infected severely.
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Apply Or Consume Garlic
A 2019 study indicates that garlic is an antifungal powerhouse, potentially making it a gem for treating toenail fungal infections. It is best to place crushed or chopped garlic on the affected area daily, Hayag says. It is important to take caution when following this remedy, as garlic has the potential to cause chemical burns to the skin. To avoid any burns, theres also the option of taking garlic supplements to see if that might help clear things up.
Toenail Fungus Prescription Medications
Sometimes prescription medications are needed to treat a toenail infection that just wont go away with natural remedies or over-the-counter medication in a few months. In this case, prescription-strength antifungal medication can eradicate stubborn onychomycosis.
Topical medications often are effective in treating mild to moderate toenail fungus. Topical solutions may include medicated nail polishes or liquid medications. Loprox , Penlac , Kerydin , and Jublia are among the top prescription drugs for toenail fungus.
Oral medications can come in capsules, tablets, or liquid. Some common prescriptions are Diflucan , Lamisil , Onmel , and Sporanox .
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Risk Factors Associated With Toenail Fungus
Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can make you increasingly vulnerable to developing nail fungus:
Health: You have a greater chance of contracting a fungal nail infection if you suffer from one or more of the following issues:
- Other fungal skin infections, such as athletes foot or ringworm
- Diabetes
- Increasingly brittle, crumbly, or ragged nail
- Nail that appears warped or distorted in shape
- Nail that appears dull without any luster
- Dark color, caused by the accumulation of debris under your nail
- Slightly foul odor in the affected area
Can Black Socks Because Of Toenail Fungus
- In some ways, black socks can cause toenail fungus.
- If the socks are occlusive and make you sweat more, this could create a good environment for black toenail fungus to flourish.
- But if some of the pieces of the black sock get caught underneath the toenail, this is not officially the fungus exclamation part.
- The first thing we would do is try to trim the toenail and make sure the small fibers of the black sock are not getting caught underneath the toenail.
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