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What Causes Fungus Under Your Toenails

Who Gets Toenail Fungus

How to tell a bruise under the toenail from toenail fungus

Men are more likely to get it than women. The older you are, the better your chances are, too. People who have diabetes, athlete’s foot, or a weak immune system, who smoke, or whose family members have it are also at a higher risk. If you spend a lot of time in the water or you’ve injured your toenail, your odds for getting toenail fungus go up.

Best Medicated Nail Polish: Arishine Toenail Fungus Treatment

  • Treats discoloration, brittleness, and cracked nails

  • Easy, on-the-go treatment

  • Only works on nail plates

  • Treatment process can be slow

The Arishine Toenail Treatment has the design and convenience of a pencil. Perfect for storing in a bag or pocket while at work, the repair pencil allows you to use a paintable nail polish on your infected toenail three times a day with ease to treat a nail fungal issue.

The Arishine treatment uses two percent deacetylated chitin, three percent O-hydroxybenzoic acid, and Angelica dahurica as active ingredients to get rid of fungus and heal the damage. This solution can help treat discoloration, brittleness, split, rough, and cracked nails. Ultimately, this medicated nail polish can lead to stronger and healthier nails.

Arishine is made of natural ingredients and does not conduct animal testing. Treatment requires three applications a day and should be used for four to 12 weeks, although improvement may be visible in as few as two weeks. Arishine offers customers a satisfaction guarantee.

Active Ingredients: Deacetylated chitin , O-hydroxybenzoic acid , and Angelica dahurica | Dose: Applicator automatically delivers correct amount with two to three clicks. Apply around nail on cuticles and under nail bed. | Uses: Treats fungus infection on and around nails helps heal discolored, brittle nails

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.

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Best Ointment: Fungi Nail Anti

  • Infused with five oils for skin healing

  • Easy-to-use brush applicator

  • Only for mild infections

  • 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

How Do You Get A Fungal Nail Infection

The Ultimate Guide to Treating Black Toenail Fungus

Most fungal nail infections occur as a result of the fungi that cause athlete’s foot infecting the nails.

These fungi often live harmlessly on your skin, but they can sometimes multiply and lead to infections. The fungi prefer warm, dark and moist places like the feet.

You’re more likely to get a fungal nail infection if you:

  • don’t keep your feet clean and dry
  • wear shoes that cause your feet to get hot and sweaty
  • walk around barefoot in places where fungal infections can spread easily, such as communal showers, locker rooms and gyms
  • have damaged your nails
  • have a weakened immune system
  • have certain other health conditions, such as diabetes, psoriasis or peripheral arterial disease

Fungal nail infections can be spread to other people, so you should take steps to avoid this if you have an infection.

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Causes Of Black Toenails

It can be quite startling to pull your sock off and spot a black toenail. For some people, it may be only a black dot under the nail, while for others, the entire nail may be dark. But rest assured, as disturbing as it may appear, a black spot on your nail is usually not serious. Read on to discover five reasons why you may have black toenails, and what you can do to treat and prevent them.

Turn To A Trusted Podiatrist In Livonia Mi

If you arent sure how to determine the causes of black toenails, reach out to the experienced doctors at Foot HealthCare Associates. We treat all conditions related to the toes, feet, and ankles and can help you to arrive at a proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Connect with at 248.258.0001 to schedule an appointment.

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What Is A Toenail Infection

A toenail infection occurs when bacteria or a fungus grows on or under your nail.

Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include:

  • yellow or brown discolouration of the nail
  • the nail is crumbly when cut
  • the nail gets thicker
  • the nail separates from the nail bed
  • pain

If you have diabetes, it is important to see your doctor as soon as symptoms appear. A toenail infection can cause complications.

Studies To Support How Treatable Toenail Fungus Is

What Causes Toenail Pain – Part 2

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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Lowered Immunity And Weak Circulation

Individuals who have a weakened immune system and lower extremity circulation issues are more likely to develop fungal infections. The problem here is that these same people also prone to greater dangers due to fungal infections. Individuals who have diabetes will suffer from circulation difficulties on their lower extremities which increase the chances of fungal infections. Those with lowered immune systems such as people who are suffering from AIDS are also susceptible to bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections.

This is also the reason why fungal infections on the feet and toenails are prevalent in adults as the older the person gets, the lower their resistance to such conditions become. Doctors have pointed to this particular reason as why fungal infections on the lower extremities are quite common with the elderly.

A Pharmacist Can Help With Fungal Nail Infections

Speak to a pharmacist if the look of your nail bothers you or it’s painful.

They may suggest:

  • antifungal nail cream it can take up to 12 months to cure the infection and does not always work
  • nail-softening cream it’s used for 2 weeks to soften the nail so the infected part can be scraped off

The infection is cured when you see healthy nail growing back at the base.

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How Is Nail Fungus Treated

Treatment for a nail fungus may include topical creams, gels, nail lacquers, or oral medications . Rarely, surgery may be required. Although seldom done, removal of the infected nail can be performed to permit direct application of a topical antifungal. Oral drugs, such as terbinafine, can cure about one third of nail fungus infections.

Toenail infections are more difficult to treat than fingernail infections because the toenail grows more slowly. In addition, a damp, warm environment of a shoe or boot can encourage fungal growth.

How Does Copper Toxicity Happen

Suffering With Dark Spots Under Your Toenails?

Copper toxicity is very common today, here are some reasons why:

Adrenal exhaustion. The most important cause of copper toxicity is weak adrenal gland activity or adrenal exhaustion. The adrenal glands stimulate the production of ceruloplasmin in the liver. Ceruloplasmin is a protein that binds to copper, and makes it bio-available by transporting it around the body to be used for biological processes. When a person has adrenal exhaustion or weak adrenal activity, they are not able to make enough ceruloplasmin and so copper remains in a toxic/bio-unavailable form within the cells that can not be used by the body. Improving adrenal gland function is one way to resolve this issue.

Zinc deficiency. Today most people are deficient in zinc. The reason for this is that the soil is depleted of zinc and therefore so is our food. Refined sugar, white rice and white flour have been stripped of their zinc content. A deficiency of zinc causes the build up of copper in the tissues as copper is used instead of zinc for enzyme reactions. Zinc is needed for the proper immune response. A proper immune response is required to fight off candida and keep it under control.

The vegetarian diet is very high in copper. Nuts, beans, seeds and grains are very high in copper. Meat contains copper, but the ratio of copper to zinc is more balanced. Zinc competes for the absorption of copper in the gut, so this will prevent so much copper from being absorbed into the body.

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How Do You Treat White Nails

How a toenail fungal infection is treated may depend on its severity. In white superficial onychomycosis, for example, the white patches of fungus that form on the nails can sometimes simply be filed off and an over-the-counter antifungal topical medication can be applied to the nail to kill the fungus.

When Should I See A Podiatrist For Toenail Fungus

You should never wait to see a podiatrist if you suspect you have toenail fungus. Fungal infections are notoriously difficult to treat, and the longer you wait, the more time the fungus has to spread.

Your provider at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers evaluates your condition and makes recommendations for treatment based on your unique symptoms and overall health. Treatment frequently begins with topical medications. If the topical treatment isnt effective, your provider may prescribe oral antifungal medications.

The podiatrists at Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Centers provide another effective treatment to get at the root of toenail fungus: the HyperBlue PLUS® laser treatment system. With HyperBlue PLUS, the laser beam travels through your toenail to kill the fungus without damaging your nail or surrounding skin.

You may need more than one laser treatment session to eliminate the fungus. After your treatments with HyperBlue PLUS are finished and the fungus is dead, your nail clears away the damaged nail by growing out with new nail keratin.

If your nails are crusted with keratin debris, your podiatrist may remove it to improve the appearance of your nails. In severe toenail fungus cases, toenail surgery may be required to temporarily remove the infected nail so the nail bed can be treated directly.

Take the first step toward fungus-free feet by contacting the Arlington/Mansfield Foot & Ankle Center office nearest you or requesting an appointment online now!

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Diagnosis And Treatment Of Subungual Melanoma

Diagnosing and treating subungual melanoma is much more involved.

Once your doctor performs the initial assessment and determines you might have subungual melanoma, theyll commonly suggest a nail biopsy.

A nail biopsy is the primary diagnostic tool available for making a definitive diagnosis. A dermatologist or nail specialist will remove some or all of the nail for examination.

If theres a diagnosis of cancer, depending on the severity and how early it was found, treatment can include:

  • surgery to remove the affected nail
  • amputation of the knuckles of the finger or toe
  • amputation of the entire finger or toe

Vicks Vaporub For Toenail Fungus Treatment

What is toenail fungus?

Nail fungus is a frequent ailment that appears as a white or yellow spot under your fingernail or toenails tip. As the condition continues, nail fungus can cause your nail to thicken, and crumble at the edge. It is possible that multiple nails will be affected at the same time.

If your problem is mild and does not concern you, you may not need therapy. If your nail fungus is bothering you and has thickened your nails, self-care and medications may assist. Even if treatment is effective, nail fungus frequently returns.

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Who Is At Risk Of Toenail Fungus

Toenail Fungus can affect anyone as it is a very common problem. As fungi already exist in everyone, there are a few causes that can cause them to thrive.

Hence, the people who are at more risk of Toenail Fungus Infection could be someone who has

  • A poor blood circulation

Such cases could worsen the symptoms and one should be more careful in such cases.

Prescription Nail Fungus Creams

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Trim Your Toenails Short And Straight

Keeping your toenails neatly trimmed short and straight across can prevent sharp edges that could injure your nail bed or become ingrown, making your toes more susceptible to fungal infections. Always disinfect your nail clippers after each use, since fungus spreads easily, and only receive pedicures from reputable nail salons that disinfect their tools between customers.

Nail Removal Home Remedies And Laser Treatment

Really Bad Toenail Fungus: [Causes, Home Remedies &  Best ...

In the most serious instances of toenail fungus infection, the toenail may be removed surgically or dissolved with acid. This can be done to just a portion of the nail in the hope that the remaining nail will grow back healthy. In cases where the entire toenail has to be removed, artificial nails and products using light-cured resins to form a temporary covering can be used to protect the underlying tissue until the nail grows back.

If you prefer to go the home-remedy route, such as applying tea tree oil or Vicks VapoRub to your nails, keep in mind that the effectiveness of these products for treating toenail fungus hasn’t been well studied, and they are not recommended by podiatrists.

Finally, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several laser devices for temporary increase in clear nails in patients with onychomycosis. But while laser treatments are vigorously marketed, clinical trials of lasers have reported mixed results, and the treatments may not be covered by health insurance. If you wish to try laser treatment of toenail fungus, speak to your doctor about what to expect from the treatment, and call your insurance carrier to find out whether the treatment will be covered.

Additional reporting by Susan Jara.

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Is It Fungus Or Melanoma

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that can develop on the nail bed. It has a dark brown or black color and can be mistaken for toenail fungus or another toenail problem like a bruise. Melanoma is much less common than toenail fungus, but it can be life-threatening if not caught early.

Both toenail fungus and melanoma can appear as a dark stripe on the toenail and may increase in size over time. The toenail can become split and damaged in both conditions.

Toenail fungus is more likely to cause thickening of the toenail and a buildup of material underneath it. Melanoma causes the skin of the nailbed to change color, which does not happen with toenail fungus, but it can be difficult to see.

Because melanoma can be very aggressive, its important to have your doctor examine a darkened toenail. Your doctor can confirm the diagnosis of toenail fungus by looking at clippings under a microscope and of melanoma by taking a biopsy.

Yellow Thick Toenails Yeast Infection Uti How Antifungal Treatments Stack Up Some Surprising Side Effects And Tips For Prevention

Bacterial and viral infections seem to make the daily news, but ever wonder why fungal infections and the consequences of their treatment rarely make headlines?

Fungal infections can be bothersome, but they are generally low acuity and not life-threatening in people with healthy immune systems, says Rupali Jain, PharmD,, a clinical associate professor at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy in Seattle.

Even though superficial fungal infections, affecting the outer layer of skin and other bodily surfaces, are rarely serious, they can look ugly , can be irritating , and are relatively common, accounting for 25% of all fungal skin infections. In addition to toenail and vaginal yeast infection , common infections include ringworm, athletes foot, scalp infection and jock itch.

They are typically treated with the same family of antifungals. You can often treat less-persistent and less-serious infections with over-the-counter antifungal creams, powders and gels. The Food and Drug Administration generally believes these treatments are effective, they have few side effects and can be used safely without a doctors supervision.

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