Top Treatments For Toenail Fungus
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Toenail fungus, medically called onychomycosis, is a common problem that causes thickened, yellow toenails. It is contagious, which means you can give the fungus to someone else. You may have caught it by walking barefoot in the same area someone with the infection walked just before you, or from someone in your home. Common places to catch the fungal infection are pool decks, locker rooms, and gym showers. Infections like this should be treated promptly, especially if you have an underlying medical problem, like diabetes. Learn about some common toenail fungus treatments, including prescriptions, and home remedies.
How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide For Nail Fungus
Hydrogen peroxide can be used separately to kill toenail fungus or in combination with other active antifungal agents such as vinegar.
Hydrogen peroxide foot or hand soak
It is a fact that using hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus is quite effective but how do you go about it? Soaking the affected nail in hydrogen peroxide will increase the oxygen level around the infection which is hostile to nail fungus. This is called an oxidate therapy.
- Get hydrogen peroxide with concentration level not higher than 3% to prevent skin damage
- Dilute hydrogen peroxide with warm water in a bucket or basin
- Soak the affected hand or foot in the hydrogen peroxide solution for about half an hour at least once a day
- Then dry the nails thoroughly
Is There Any Hope
So is this story just a total bummer for toenail-fungus sufferers like poor Liz?
Im just so over it, she said with a deep sigh, admitting that she has toenail envy when she sees people who have pretty, freshly pedicured feet.
No, says Tracey Vlahovic. In fact, the FDA has just approved a new topical treatment for fungus, the brand name is Jublia. Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals expects sales of $800 million in the U.S. And another product will come out shortly.
Its a class of antifungals were all familiar with, Vlahovic said. The data there is very nice, its beautiful, and I think that patients will really like the further topical options that are coming out.
The new topicals have higher cure rates than topical options currently on the market and they can be used under nail polish, something thats very important to many women who have nail fungus.
Vlahovic says there is currently a lot of movement in this field, which has been stagnant for a while but even with better treatments, patients have to accept one bitter truth: There is no quick fix for this.
Nothing is going to work within a week. Nothing is going to work within a month, you must give things time, Vlahovic said.
So, if any person or product promises you to cure this thing quickly just dont buy it.
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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 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.
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What To Do With Your Toenail Fungus
Effective options exist and your medical professional will know which anti-fungal tablet, cream, spray, or liquid will work best on your infection. Lamasil, Jublia, and Sporanox are among the most widely prescribed, depending on a persons age and the type and severity of the fungal infection. All these treatment regimens work by encouraging new nail growth free of infection. Because the infected nail can be replaced only by the slow nail growth process, you must take these medications for six to 12 weeks, or longer.
Adopt good foot hygiene habits
There are sensible precautions you can take to head off toenail fungal infection, foot fungus and athletes foot in the first place or to prevent reinfection after successful treatment.
* Dont wear anyone elses socks or put on their shoes. Keep in mind that if they have a toenail fungal infection, it will then likely become yours.
* Wash and thoroughly dry your feet daily, especially between the toes where moisture collects and where fungal spores may find a home.
* And those little boxes of disposable socks at the shoe store? Always put them on before you try on any pair of shoes.
* Wear flip-flops or shower shoes in locker rooms, around swimming pools, and in gym showers.
* Regularly use shoe sanitizer and anti-fungal spray, as directed, to help guard against athletes foot and toenail fungus infection or reinfection.
Nails Are Tricky To Treat
Unfortunately, fungal or bacterial infections of your nail bed are hard to treat. Prescription drugs range from 35%-65% success rate, so anything OTC would likely be even less than that, says , podiatrist in North Carolina and spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. Why are these types of issues so hard to treat? Because nails, especially toenails, have lots of layers, so there are more areas for the fungus or bacteria to penetrate, and if it gets into the cells responsible for growing the nail, its even harder.
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What Causes Toenail Fungus
Nail fungal infections are typically caused by a dermatophyte fungus that invades the nail root and nail bed. Yeasts and molds also can be responsible for nail fungal infections. Fungi are microscopic organisms that dont need sunlight to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses. Others cause illness and infection.
Fungus and their spores are prevalent all around us. Toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes where fungi can thrive, contributing to the infection.
Fungi:
- Live in warm, moist environments, including swimming pools and showers
- Can invade your skin through cuts so tiny you cant even see them or through a small separation between your nail and nail bed
- Can cause problems if your nails are often exposed to warm and moist conditions
Factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
- Being older, owing to reduced blood flow, more years of exposure to fungi, and slower growing nails.
- Perspiring heavily.
- Being male, especially if you have a family history of nail fungal infections.
- Working in a humid or moist environment or in a job where your hands are often wet, such as bartending or housekeeping
- Wearing socks and shoes that hinder ventilation and dont absorb perspiration.
- Living with someone who has nail fungus.
- Walking barefoot in damp communal areas, such as swimming pools, gyms and shower rooms.
- Having athletes foot.
Treating An Underlying Condition
The cause of the nail separation will need to be addressed before the symptoms stop occurring. It may feel unnecessary to visit your doctor over a nail issue, but its not. Onycholysis, especially recurring onycholysis, might need a diagnosis and a prescription in order to heal.
Its not uncommon to have onycholysis as a symptom of psoriasis. The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Association estimates at least 50 percent of people with psoriasis experience problems with their nails.
Fingernails in particular are affected by psoriasis. Treating psoriasis in the nails can be difficult. Doctors may prescribe topical vitamin D or corticosteroids to treat nail psoriasis.
A blood test may reveal that you have a thyroid condition or vitamin deficiency causing you to have onycholysis. In this case, your doctor may prescribe medication or an oral supplement to treat the underlying cause.
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What Are The Causes Of Nail Fungus
Age: the older we get, the blood flow to the feet is reduced. This significantly affects the bodys ability to fight fungus infection around feet which is one of the reasons toenail fungus is more common.
Sweaty foot: fungus thrives in a warm and moist environment hence consistently wet feet and hands are more exposed to nail fungus.
What Are The Main Types Of Toenail And Fingernail Fungal Infections
There are many types of fungal nail infections that develop over time and can be caused by a different class of fungi. Since the development of infection is a gradual process so a slight change in the texture or look of the nail should be considered seriously before it gets much worse. Some of the most common types of fungal infections that affect majorly the areas surrounding fingernails and toenails are listed below. All these nail infections are sub-classes of onychomycosis.
Distal subungual onychomycosis
The most common type of fungal nail infection is DSO caused by the same fungi that are behind the Athlete’s foot. It is the infection that affects the nail and the skin present under the nail, known as the nail bed. The infection originates from the nail bed and partial nail turns yellow or white, which is the first indication of DSO. In this type of infection debris, bacterial dirt, broken nail fragments and pieces of dead skin accumulate under the nail and as the condition worsen the nail could also crumble and break. DSO is a lifelong infection that can be difficult to overcome and even harder to treat. Improper care and wearing tight shoes may worsen the condition.
White superficial onychomycosis
Candida onychomycosis
Proximal Subungual onychomycosis
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Toenail Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
Toenail fungus is a fungal infection in the toenail. It happens when a fungus anything from mold to yeast to other types of fungus gets in the nail bed from a cut or break in the nail or repetitive trauma to the nail, and penetrates the nail itself, says Dr. Sundling. The nail then continues to grow with the fungus. Once a nail plate is infected with fungus, it will never not be infected, and you must wait to see how it grows out and whether the new nail growing behind it is healthy. The new nail rarely grows in healthy without treatment, says Sundling.
Toenail fungus is very common 14 percent of people have it in North America, according to an article published in the journal PLoS Pathogens and its more common the older you get, adds Sundling. Wearing shoes that are too small can damage the nail and make it more vulnerable to fungus, as can having a fungal infection on the skin of the foot and not treating it, which could expose the nail to fungus. You may be more at risk to toenail fungus if you have diabetes, or a weaker immune system.
The Secret Society Of Sufferers
Even though its so easy to catch, toenail fungus embarrasses people. Its a hush-hush topic and only a fraction of the estimated 55 million Americans who have the condition seek treatment in a doctors office.
Im part of this secret society of tonail fungus sufferers. We can, like, band together and have meetings or something, said Liz, a Philadelphia mom in her thirties. She doesnt want to use her full name for this interview. It looks terrible if you dont maintain it, and I mean toenail fungus? That is the grossest thing!
It started about 10 years ago when Liz cracked her big toe nail. After that, the nail started to look funny and became discolored. Then it spread to three more toes on that foot. When Liz realized she had nail fungus, she was faced with another unpleasant fact: Its really hard to treat.
The toenails have the smallest blood vessels, explained podiatrist Tracey Vlahovic. They are the furthest away from the heart. Its going to take anywhere from six months to a year, to even two years for some people, for the nail to grow from cuticle to the tip of the nail.
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Does Monistat Cure Nail Fungus
5/5Monistatfungalnail fungus
Miconazole for fungal skin infections Daktarin. Apply twice a day for a skin infection. Apply miconazole cream once or twice a day for a nail infection. Continue to use miconazole for a week or so after all signs of the infection have gone.
Likewise, what kills toenail fungus fast? Oral antifungal drugs.These drugs are often the first choice because they clear the infection more quickly than do topical drugs. Options include terbinafine and itraconazole . These drugs help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected part.
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Over the counter fungal creams like clotrimazole and the nail polishes are generally ineffective for clearing nail fungus. Ciclopirox is a topical nail polish used for thetreatment of mild to moderate nail fungus.
Does Monistat cure scalp fungus?
The anti-fungal cream known for relieving burning and itching down there is now being applied directly to the hairline and scalp to help it grow. Miconazole nitrate, the active ingredient in Monistat, is what many are attributing to their hair growth. Its an anti-fungal so you take out all dirty parts of your hair.
Best Fungus Supplements Final Word
Fungus supplements come in all shapes, sizes, and forms. Some supplements support your immune system, helping defend your body from the inside out. Other supplements work in complex ways to fight specific elements of onychomycosis .
Without question, there is an antifungal solution worthy of strong consideration of buying today after reviewing the best fungus supplements list above. The following toenail fungus products are solutions that should be taken seriously in order to help the body defend and protect itself from this fungus. Visit the websites below to see which one speaks the loudest to your specific needs, but make sure which ever you do, be on top of taking care of toenail fungus with natural treatments before things get out of hand:
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Combination Of Vinegar And Hydrogen Peroxide For Nail Fungus
Coconut oil
Apart from using hydrogen peroxide for nail fungus treatment, you can also use essential oils one of which is the coconut oil. Coconut oil is a carrier oil with myriads of benefits. It has abundant antioxidant and antifungal properties. Coconut oil relieves the pain associated with nail fungus, destroys the fungus, and a new healthy nail will replace the infected one. This oil can be used both topically and internally without any side effects. When using coconut oil for treating nail fungus, especially internal usage, it is imperative to get one that is organic, unrefined, and cold-pressed, as well as 100% pure.
Treating nail fungus with coconut oil
Baking soda
how to use baking soda to kill nail fungus
Is There Any Real Proof That It Works
Let’s get right to the point here… is there any proof that this stuff actually works? Because I’m sure a lot of people reading this have wasted a lot of time, patience and money trying things that simply turn out to be complete duds.
Does it really work?
Well… when it comes to the effectiveness of VICK’s specifically dealing with nail fungus, there unfortunately isn’t much research out there. That said, there is some…
A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine in 2011 took a look at the effects of VICKS on 18 patients who were suffering from onychomycosis over a period of 48 weeks .
The results were measured in 3 ways. They measured its effectiveness as a cure both mycologically and clinically, as well as on a personal assessment by the patients themselves.
The results: 15 of the 18 patients, or a whopping 83%, showed positive effects. And… 5 of the patients, or 27.8%, had been cured based on mycological and clinical results after the 48 weeks were up. 10 patients, or 55.6%, had infections that cleared up partially and only 3 had no change.
All in all… pretty good results.
Lack of proof?
As stated, there really isn’t much information and research out there specifically on VICKS VapoRub’s effectiveness when it comes to this.
The study mentioned above definitely proves some effectiveness and has some positives, however there has been some criticism as to the way this study was conducted, which might make it carry a little less weight.
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