Where Does Toenail Fungus Live

What Is The Treatment For Toenail Fungus

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 almost 50% of nail fungus infections.

Toenail Fungus Is Catchy And Not In A Good Way Learn How To Avoid Getting Infected

Clip. Clip. Clip. Most of your toenails are smooth and the nail-beds are light pink and easy to cut. But one toenail is thicker than the others, its a dull yellowish color, and it curls inward. Theres debris underneath and a slight smell. You have toenail fungus! Its an embarrassing condition that takes a long time to cure. And we bet you are wondering how you even got it in the first place.

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is the same type of fungus that causes athletes foot. Its spread through spores and its quite contagious. Somewhere along the line you picked up some fungal spores and the keratin in your nails is their tasty treat.

Treatments For Fungal Nail Infections

Treatment isn’t always needed for a mild fungal nail infection because it’s unlikely to cause any further problems and you may feel it’s not worth treating.

Whether you decide to have treatment or not, you should still practise good foot hygiene to stop the infection getting worse or spreading to others.

Speak to your GP or pharmacist if you’re bothered by the appearance of the affected nail, or it’s causing problems such as pain and discomfort. They’ll probably recommend:

• antifungal tablets tablets taken once or twice a day for several months
• antifungal nail paints special paints applied directly to the nail over several months
• nail softening kits where a paste is used to soften infected parts of the nail, before they’re removed with a scraping device

A procedure to remove the nail completely may be recommended in severe cases. Laser treatment, where a high-energy laser is used to destroy the fungus, is also an option. But this is only available privately and can be expensive.

You can reduce your risk of developing a fungal nail infection by:

Nail salon equipment can sometimes be the source of fungal nail infections. If you regularly visit a salon, make sure any equipment used is properly sterilised between uses.

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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.

Can Toenail Fungus Spread Internally Danger Of Ignoring Fungus

Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis is one of the most embarrassing feelings you can have. Nail fungus begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail.

Fungal infections are becoming very common these days, especially if you are frequently in public bathroom, locker room or public swimming pool. If you think you have contract nail fungus, then i strongly recommend that you start your treatment right away using Purely Northwest Toenail Fungus System to prevent it from spreading or becoming a lot more serious.

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How Is Onychomycosis Treated

Treatment of onychomycosis includes chemical or surgical removal of the infected nail, systemic or topical drugs, pulse therapy, or a combination thereof. is a summary of oral and topical therapy regimens as can be seen, the course of treatment for fingernail infections is shorter than for toenail infections. The treatment of onychomycosis has improved considerably over the past several decades, following the introduction of the oral antifungals terbinafine and itraconazole. However, these drugs may have side effects such as liver damage or drug interactions, which are particularly relevant in the elderly population . Further, nail infections caused by non-dermatophyte organisms, such as Fusarium, are especially difficult to treat .

What Is The Outcome For Someone Who Has Nail Fungus

With treatment, many people can get rid of nail fungus. Even when the fungus clears, your nail may look unhealthy until the infected nail grows out. A fingernail grows out in 4 to 6 months and a toenail in 12 to 18 months.

To clear the fungus, its important to:

• Use the treatment exactly as prescribed

• Apply the medicine for as long as prescribed

• Keep all follow-up appointments with your dermatologist

Nail fungus can be stubborn. If you had a severe infection, its possible to clear the infection. A healthy looking nail, however, may be unrealistic, but you can expect the nail to look better and feel more comfortable.

Even with clearing, nail fungus can return. Youll find steps to reduce your risk in Tips: 12 ways to prevent another nail infection.

ImageGetty Images

ReferenceGold LFS and Rosen T. Onychomycosis: Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. Dermatology News . March 2016:2-15.

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What If It Does Happen Again

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a fungal infection can return. The good news is, you likely know what to look for in your nails by now, and catching it early will most likely mean a much easier and shorter treatment time than your first go.

Our treatments, including Lunula laser therapy, are ready for you when needed. We will be perfectly happy if we never have to use them for you again, however.

If you ever have any questions or suspicions regarding a potential fungal nail infection, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Call our Princeton office at or our Roselle Park office at . You also can consult our free downloadable guide on fungal nails for some more tips!

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Why Do I Keep Getting Toenail 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.

So Can Toenail Fungus Spread Internally

Yes, the fungi that cause this infection are in fact very contagious and they can spread to other parts of the body and even in the blood as well if not treated properly. But most commonly they spread to other nails of the feet or fingernail.

I always recommend that once you realize you have nail fungus you should get it treated as soon as possible before it gets late.

Ignoring a fungus is very dangerous, and finding out what happens to a fungal infection if left untreated likely isnt something you want to experience yourself.

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Does Bleach Kill Fungus Spores

According to an article found on the University ofFlorida Healths page, in order for bleach to be effective in killing fungusspores, it must be diluted to a ratio of 1-part bleach to 10 parts water or 1cup bleach to a gallon of water. The important part to note here is that if thebleach mixes with other materials or liquids, it can change the ratio of thebleach to water.

Since this is a high concentration of beach towater, pets should be removed from the area using the bleach. People shouldensure they use protective equipment when handling the bleach solution and washtheir skin right away if it were to get on them.

Will Acetone Kill Nail Fungus

Acetone is knocking the tar out of my toenal fungus. Yes, it can penetrate the blood vessels in large quantities remember, the blood vessels are skin as well. There doesnt need to be a cut, tear or break to the skin to allow the acetone to penetrate the skin it will penetrate the skin through the pores.

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Who Is Most Likely To Experience These Issues

Anyone with a weak immune system are more likely to experience the spreading of these terrible fungi. A fungal infection rarely spread below the surface of the skin to cause any serious illness.

But people with HIV/AIDS, may find it very difficult getting rid of the infection. Also leaving toenail fungus untreated can cause variety of health issue. The most common ones are:

Toenail Loss If the toenail fungus is left untreated, the cracking and chipping can become so severe that the only option leave is to remove the nail completely. Which can be a permanent problem.

Pain If toenail fungus should go untreated for too long, the nail can become hard and brittle and it may cause discomfort when wearing a shoes which will make it even harder to walk.

Spreading to Other Parts of The Body As we explained above, toenail fungus can be easily spread. So if nail fungus is left untreated it can eventually spread to other nails or to other areas of your body.

How To Help Toenail Fungus

Once you have been diagnosed with toenail fungus under your nails, there are several strategies that can help. They can be used independently or together, depending on your circumstances.

One treatment is with anti-fungal medications. These are pills taken by mouth, sometimes for weeks or months. Some people have medical conditions or are taking other medications that make these antifungal pills risky. Others who take them sometimes experience unwanted side effects. In these cases, I recommend other strategies.

Another common treatment for toenail fungus is medicated nail polish. These arent always very effective and must be used for many months. This is because nails are naturally a tough protective barrier. Because the infection is located underneath the nail, this makes it hard for the medication to penetrate through the nail to reach the underlying infection. This is especially true in cases where at least half of the nail is infected.

Both medications and medicated polish are long-term strategies that may be risky for many people, and may not work at all. Plus, treatment with these often takes several months.

This is why I prefer using laser technology. Its safe, quick, and pain-free.

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Can You Wear Nail Polish If You Have Toenail Fungus

When you have toenail/s fungal infections do not wear nail polish. It contains acrylic and that prevents the moisture evaporating from the nail and it also prevents the sunlight from reaching the nail bed making it a darker place. Fungus loves dark, warm places and this promotes fungal growth. Do not apply nail polish during the time of treatment.

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Mayo Clinic Q And A: Toenail Fungus Often Difficult To Eliminate Completely

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: What causes toenail fungus, and what can be done to treat it? Is it contagious?ANSWER: Toenail fungus is an infection thats usually caused by a microscopic organism called dermatophyte fungus. These infections can be contagious, and they are often difficult to eliminate completely. Fortunately, for most healthy adults toenail fungus doesnt pose any serious health risks.

Toenail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. As the infection goes deeper, nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. Fungal infections are more likely to happen in your toenails than in your fingernails because toenails often are confined in a dark, warm, moist environment inside your shoes where fungi can thrive. Toes also have less blood flow than fingers, making it harder for your bodys immune system to detect and stop the infection.

The older you are, the more likely you are to get toenail fungus. Thats because as you age, your immune system changes. In addition, your nails become more brittle and drier over time, creating more cracks where fungus can live.

You may see ads publicizing laser treatments for toenail fungus. I usually dont recommend them. They tend to be quite expensive, and at this time most medical insurance does not cover that type of treatment.

Take Care Of Your Toes

Use soap and water to wash your feet, and dry well, including between toes. Trim your toenails — straight across — to keep them shorter than the end of your toe. Make sure the tools you use are clean, too. Wash clippers and files with soap and water, then wipe with rubbing alcohol. You might be tempted to cover up discolored nails with polish, but don’t. Your nail bed can’t “breathe,” which keeps fungus from going away.

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How Long Can Toenail Fungus Live In Shoes

Fungus can live in shoes for 6 months to even yearsin spore form. Fungus needs dark, warmth and moist environments to live andgrow. Shoes provide this and due to some shoe construction, often have placesto hide within the shoes. Make sure to thoroughly disinfect shoes beforepacking them up for the following season of use or if you have receivedhand-me-downs or second hand store finds.

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Types Of Fungal Nail Infections

There are four main kinds of fungal nail infection. Each looks slightly different:

• Distal or lateral subungual onychomycosis. This is the most common kind. It results from a fungus called a dermatophyte. You can get it in your fingernails or toenails. It starts in the nail bed, underneath the nail. Youâll see a yellowish colored area that spreads from the edges of the nail to the center, and places where it comes apart from the nail bed.
• White superficial onychomycosis. This is less common and only affects the nail surface, mainly on your toenails. It starts as white spots, which become powdery and cause the nail to crumble.
• Proximal subungual onychomycosis. This appears first as white spots in the center of the nail bed at the cuticle. They move outward as the finger or toenail grows. Itâs rare and usually affects people who have immune system problems, like HIV infection.
• Candidal onychomycosis. Yeast causes this infection that usually affects your fingernails. The area around the nails is often swollen and inflamed, and the nails may come off entirely. It tends to happen to nails that have been damaged by an injury or another infection.

Staying One Step Ahead Of Toenail Fungus

An established fungal infection is hard to eradicate, but you can stop its spread and improve your toenail’s appearance.

Toenail fungus isn’t a pressing health problem. Yet a fungal infection can ruin the appearance of your nails and cause pain as it lifts the nail away from the nail bed. And fungal infections are notoriously difficult to get rid of. “You may want to consider fungal toenail a condition to be managed rather than cured,” says Dr. James P. Ioli, chief of the podiatry service at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

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