When To See A Doctor About Toenail Fungus
If you are experiencing persistent toenail fungus or pain is present, you may need to see a specialist. A dermatologist or podiatrist may be able to assess your symptoms and send a small sample of the affected toenail or flesh to a laboratory to be analyzed as there are various types of fungi and yeasts that cause onychomycosis. Knowing the specific cause of your foot fungus can help identify what route to take to treat your condition.
Nail changes can also be caused by underlying conditions, like psoriasis and diabetes, so its important to seek professional medical advice if your condition persists or worsens. Bacterial and fungal infection of skin in diabetes patients often result in hospital admissions, and in severe cases, can result in amputations. If you are at a higher risk for infection, you should skip home remedies and seek professional medical treatment.
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.
Use Urgent Fungus Destroyer As A Supplement With These Spices
Only adding spices to your diet will not show some good results any time soon, it might take more than a year. You should add a supplement to your diet as well.
The Urgent Fungus Destroyer is a famous option that has been killing toenail fungus in only three to four months. It is affordable yet effective. Moreover, it is free of any kind of side effects.
Urgent fungus destroyer is a complex formula that has the rare Japanese mushroom complex to kill the toenail fungus. Furthermore, it has cats claw, garlic, and curcumin, combined with spices the urgent fungus destroyer will speed up the recovery process.
To know everything about the Urgent Fungus Destroyer and our complete review on it, read our in depth guide here.
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Treatment Options For Fungal Nail
Treatment options, some of which can be prescribed by your GP and the others found at your local pharmacy, include:
Antifungal nail creams or paints
These are applied directly to the nail over several months and are most effective when used at the early stages of the infection. They aren’t generally considered to be as effective as tablets because it can be difficult for the product to reach the deep layers of the nail. Some people choose them over tablets because side effects are less common. These are available over the counter.
Nail-softening kits
A paste is applied to soften the infected area. This is then covered with a plaster for 24 hours. The next day, the paste is washed off and the softened nail gently scraped away.
This process has to be repeated every day for two to three weeks. When no more of the infected nail can be removed, an antifungal paint is applied to prevent re-infection as the nail grows over the next few months. These kits are available from your pharmacist.
Antifungal tablets
These are only available on prescription and need to be taken for several months, before the infection has completely cleared up. Some tablets are unsuitable for people taking certain medicines, and some people may experience side effects. Always see your doctor or pharmacist for advice about medicines.
Laser treatment
Therapeutic Foot Soak Tea Tree Oil
This foot soak has earned its reputation as one of the best treatments for toenail fungus because it adds a touch of pleasure to an otherwise unpleasant experience. The formulation is dissolved into water, which is then used as a foot soak for up to half an hour. Repeating the process as necessary will help clear out the fungus and restore toenails and feet to optimum wellness.
What many users appreciate about this product is that aside from being an effective remedy, its also a very enjoyable one. The formulation incorporates lots of essential oils and herbal extracts that dont only bring toenails back to normal but also help soothe skin and make feet healthier and cleaner than ever.
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When To Refer To Podiatry
Before initiating topical or oral therapy, patients should ideally be referred to a podiatrist for nail trimming and debridement. This assists with removing as much fungus as possible and improves topical drug penetration. Debridement alone cannot be recommended for the treatment of OM patients using a combination of debridement and topical nail lacquer have shown a significant improvement in mycological cure compared with debridement only. Patients with nail trauma owing to footwear, dystrophic toenails affecting other toes or who describe discomfort when walking owing to thickened toenails should also be referred.
When there is treatment failure with topical, oral and combination therapies, a podiatrist may be able to carry out a chemical or surgical nail avulsion .
If there is doubt over the original diagnosis, or where no improvement has been seen with treatment, pharmacists should refer patients to a podiatrist or their GP.
Supported by RB
RB provided financial support in the production of this content.
The authors were paid by The Pharmaceutical Journal to write this article and full editorial control was maintained by the journal at all times.
Hywean Toenail Fungus Nail Treatment
The Hywean Toenail Fungus Nail Treatment uses a four-step method to ensure effective treatment of nail fungus and complete recovery of the affected tissue.
What we like: The Hywean Nail Treatment system is very easy to use and often starts to show results in as little as two or three weeks. If the infection is not severe, your nail may be completely clear in eight weeks.
Flaws: Does a good job on less serious cases. Not so great on long-simmering cases.
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Things To Consider To Buy The Best Socks For Toenail Fungus
How would you differentiate the anti-fungal socks with the regular socks? It is of course something different in the fabric used to manufacture the best toenail fungus socks.
Before we help you find the best toenail fungus socks, let us learn why you must call a sock the anti-fungal socks.
The anti-microbial fabric
All those socks which come with the anti-microbial fabric are the best socks for nail fungus. In this regard you can get two types of socks, one with copper or the other with silver infused material. Both are good however, 100% polyester socks can also help.
The minimum cotton content
Many people are allergic to polyester or other fabrics, so they prefer to have cotton socks.
However, if you are suffering with the toenail fungus, then it is necessary to have a sock with minimum cotton content. A 30 to 40 percent cotton content is enough.
Otherwise, you may not be able to fight the toenail fungal infection properly.
The structure of the socks
The reliable anti-fungal socks are with arch support, and cushioned soled. You may not find a cushioned padded sole but a sock with arched support is essential to make the toenail less painful.
Comfortable fit
Any socks which is very tight is not the best sock to wear when your toenail is infected with toenail fungus. It will allow easy blood circulation till the infected toenail, which is necessary to let the antioxidants do their job.
Nutrition Hacks Fungus Hack Pills For Nail Fungus
Only an infected person can tell you how hard it is to kill the toenail fungus. The fungus is on of the toughest organism in the world.
However, the fungus killing supplements like the Nutritionâs Hack Fungus Hack can help.
Ingredients of Nutrition Hacks Fungus Hack
It has eight main ingredients. Each one of them is going to work on the immunity of the infected person.
Let us have a look at the ingredients of the Fungus hack.
Caprylic acid and digestive enzymes
The caprylic acid is one of the best treatments for yeast infections. As yeast is the most common nail fungus.
The caprylic acid will first decrease the power of fungus by killing the cell wall. Next Amylase is a digestive enzyme, which will flow in the blood stream to kill the toenail fungus.
Then we have protease and lipase which will affect the digestion process and the immunity. The better the digestion of the fats the better will be the immune system.
Other ingredients of nutrition hacks fungus hack
It is undoubtedly one of the best fungus killing supplements. It has many health friendly ingredients. It has the grape-fruit extract, it provides the free-radical defense.
Moreover it will also kill the fungus supportive bacteria. Next it has oregano powder, which will treat other infections and flu.
It has walnut hulls, and lemon grass, both are antioxidants and will kill th free radicals. The walnut hulls have tannins, juglone, and iodine for extra strength.
Cons of the Fungus hack
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Creams & Topical Treatments For Toenail Fungus
Over-the-counter fungal creams like clotrimazole dont work well for treating toenail fungus. Prescription nail polishes are available, but they take longer to work and arent effective for severe cases. Thats because they dont penetrate the nail very well. That said, they are still a good option for people with mild cases of toenail fungus, or for those who cant take the oral antifungals. Examples include:
Side effects are usually minor and include redness or burning at the application site.
You might hear or read about medicated chest rub as a treatment for toenail fungus, but its mostly hype. Its a tempting option because its so safe, easy to use, and cheap. But its not likely to help.
How To Prevent Both Foot And Toenail Fungus
While toenail fungus and foot fungus arent the same condition, the following tips can help you prevent both, says Sundling:
- Practice good hygiene, such as keeping your feet clean.
- Alternate your shoes during the week. Your feet sweat all day long. Alternating your shoes allows them to dry out, so the fungus cant survive.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks that help dry out shoes and kill fungus. You can find these at running stores and athletic stores. If your socks are exceptionally sweaty, changing them more than once per day can help.
- Wear shoes in public places like locker rooms, pools, and gyms to limit exposure to fungus.
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Treating Fungal Nail Infection
Treatment may not be necessary in mild cases of fungal nail infection. For more severe or troublesome cases, antifungal medication may be recommended.
A fungal nail infection is unlikely to get better without treatment, but if you’re not bothered by it you might decide it’s not worth treating because treatment can take a long time, may cause side effects, and isn’t always effective.
Whether or not you decide to have treatment, you should still follow the self-help advice below to help stop the condition getting worse or spreading to others.
How Do You Get A Fungal Nail Infection
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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The Importance Of Hygiene
When treating a fungal nail, always wash your hands after applying a treatment and remember to use a separate towel for your feet when youre drying them. Its a good idea to tell those close to you about your fungal nail infection so they can take precautions too. Dont share shoes or socks with them as it can be contagious.
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.
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Best Toenail Fungus Treatments 2020
Discolored, unnaturally thick, and painful toenails? It might be toenail fungus.
Because our toes are almost always damp, and because there are lots of little nooks and crannies around our toenails, they prove to be the best place for fungus to thrive. Toenail fungus can be an unsightly problem, on top of being a painful issue. Fortunately, there are lots of toenail fungus treatments to choose from.
The only downside to having so many options is the fact that it can be hard to make the right choice. When standing in your local drugstore, its not easy to decide what the best toenail fungus treatment is.
Find out how to choose an effective treatment and buy yourself a remedy that really works by following this comprehensive guide.
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.
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How To Use It
Apply mentholated ointment directly to the affected nail. Do this about once a day for several weeks or until the nail shows noticeable improvements.
Vinegar is a common household product found in cooking and some home cleaning solutions. Though no clinical evidence exists to date, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that vinegar is an effective tool to help treat toenail fungus.
What Causes Nail Fungus
Onychomycosis happens when cuts or cracks in the skin allow for fungi to get between the nail and skin, causing an infection, explains Lucy Chen, M.D., a dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami. On top of infection, you can also experience discoloration, thickening, and separation from the nail bed.
Unfortunately, the simple truth is that everyone is exposed to the microorganisms that cause these infections, says Dana Stern, M.D., a New York City-based dermatologist and nail health expert at Nu Skin. So, why do some people develop full-on nail fungus and others dont? The causes are multi-factorial but some of the more common factors that put you at risk for fungal infections include older age, diabetes, suppressed immunity, poor circulation, excessive sweating, and irregular growing nails, notes Dr. Stern.
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Laser Therapy For You
Now that you know the basics on toenail fungus and how laser therapy can help you get rid of it, youre ready to give it a go. Does that sound like a good plan? We hope so. Your toes will look and feel better and thank you for it.
Go ahead and give us a call to give it a go. And to ask questions. Located in Clifton, NJ and Wayne, NJ, we really are here to help you get relief after these issues with your toenails.
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.
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