A Doctor’s Detailed Description of Nail Fungus

A Detailed Description of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is the true medical definition for any fungal infection that affects the fingernail or toenail. Just like any other medical word, it can be broken down to its Latin origins and can be directly translated. Onycho means nail, and mycosis means fungal infection. Onychomycosis comprises 33% of all skin infections caused by a fungus. Over half of the diagnoses that affect the fingernail or toenail fall into the category of Onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis typically occurs in people aged 40 and above. The disease is 30% more likely to arise in adults than children and the majority of cases are in the elderly. It is estimated that at least 20% of all people are in the age range of 40 – 60 have some form of onychomycosis. It is also estimated that about 90% of elderly patients have some form of onychomycosis.

Occurrences Of Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is found more often in men than in women. However, women are more likely to contract a specific form of nail fungus called Candida. There is no evidence showing that nail fungus prefers any specific race. However, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of cases in the last five years.

This is possibly because people are living longer and a large number of people are aging. Also, the incidence of diabetes has increased, and the disease is more common in diabetics due to their reduced ability to fight infections. Another possible reason diabetics are susceptible is due to decreased circulation, another risk factor for developing nail fungal infections.

The most common symptom of nail fungus disorders is the appearance of the nail. The primary complaint is that the nail turns yellow and appears disfigured. This makes catching the disorder early very difficult because there really are not many symptoms. Other than the appearance of the nail, there are no symptoms that interfere with the person’s day-to-day activities.

Most patients who come in to be seen are concerned about people seeing them as unclean, unhealthy, and infectious. While the infection does not cause serious health problems, it can cause psychological, emotional, and social problems.

While the initial portion of the disease does not cause any symptoms, other than cosmetic symptoms, it can cause complications if left untreated. A severe infection can cause pain in the infected digit. The nail can thicken and decrease the sensitivity as well. Loss of sensation can affect the ability to use the hands or feet and can cause fine motor problems for the person affected. While this may not sound too severe, there are some serious problems that can arise from a severe case.

Difficulty writing
Inability to feel the floor
Difficulty walking
Serious falls

The Four Main Types Of Onychomycosis

There are four main types of Onchyomycosis. There are more, but they are not very common. Here are the four most common types of onchyomycosis.

Distal Subungual Onychomycosis – This is the most common type of nail fungal infections that fall into the onychomycosis category. It is caused by dermatophytes called Trichophyton rubrum.The disease starts when the dermatophyte breaks through the nail and manages to bury itself in the nail bed.The term Subungual refers directly to “underneath the nail.” The infection appears as a whitish or yellowish growth under the nail itself. It usually begins at the tip of the nail and slowly works its way back to the cuticle area. After the infection begins, the nail becomes thick, develops ridges, and may begin to break apart.

Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis – This type of fungal infection starts at the portion of the nail called the cuticle. It embeds itself in the nail, and then begins working toward the tip, or the part you trim. This type of infection is most common in those who are immune compromised. Just like the previous type mentioned, this disease is caused by Trichophyton rumburm, but is caused by other types of fungi or a mold source as well.

White Superficial Onychomycosis – This is possibly one of the least common types of onychomycosis. It only occurs in about 1 of every 10 cases diagnosed. This fungus only affects the top portion of the nail.This type of onychomycosis appears as a lesion, or small spot, on the nail. It may then gradually spread over the entire nail. This type of infection is caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes, a different type of dermatophyte.

Candida Onychomycosis – This form of onychomycosis typically starts as a chronic form of mucocutaneous candidas, also known as a low-level yeast infection. The infection tends to affect the edges of the nails. It also affects multiple layers of the nail. This fungus can completely destroy the nail and in the most severe cases, the nail must be removed completely to get rid of the infection.

Resources
Hainer BL. Dermatophyte infections. Am Fam Physician 2003;67:101-108.
Jaffe R. Onychomycosis: recognition, diagnosis, and management. Arch Fam Med 1998;7:587-592.
Kaur R, Kashyap B, Bhalla P. Onychomycosis–epidemiology, diagnosis and management. Indian J Med Microbiol 2008;26:108-116.

Living With a Nail Fungus Infection

How to Live with a Nail Fungus Infection

Note from the start that having a nail fungus infection does not single you out. In truth, it makes you one of 20% of people who are also affected by this disease. Even though it is visually unappealing, it is possible to live with and cure if you are willing to put in the effort to do so. Chances are, if you are reading this, you are probably already affected by nail fungus, and you are not alone. Here, we have composed some information to help you.

Nail fungus is considered a microorganism. Once you are exposed to it, it grows on or under your nail. It occurs in both fingernails and toenails. It does not discriminate by type of nail, race, creed, gender, or any other circumstance. It will happily grow anywhere that is accommodating to its strange taste in living environment. It prefers warm, damp, dark areas and the finger and toenails provide the perfect habitat. The biggest problem with nail fungus is that it can do a lot of harm. This is because it is not immediately noticeable. It starts as a discolored spot that is easy to overlook and easy to ignore. By the time the person realizes that it is a problem, it is already out of control and can be difficult to treat.

Typically, by the time the fungus is noticed, it has already worked its way under the nail and into the nail bed. Once it reaches the nail bed, it is harder to get to for treatment. Your goal is to get your healthy, beautiful nails back. This means that as soon as you notice the fungal problem, you need to start treating it immediately.

Avoiding Nail Fungus Infections

The best way to avoid nail fungus infections is to not get one at all. Unless you are equipped with the right information, it can be difficult to avoid. There are a lot of precautions you can take to ensure that you do not get a nail fungus infection.

Consider locations in your life that may carry the infection. Nail fungus prefers wet environments like public bathrooms, public pools, public showers, and places like this. When you do use these areas, make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap. If you must come into contact with these areas, like a public shower at the gym, wear something on your feet at all times. A great choice is flip flops or shower shoes.
Do not wear wet clothes. If you get wet in the rain, dry off and change clothes as soon as you get the chance. If you have been swimming, remove your bathing suit as soon as you can. If you have been working out and sweating, make sure to shower, put on dry clothes, and dry shoes and socks before leaving the gym. One of the main reasons that people contract nail fungus is that they do not change clothes, shoes and socks after a workout.
Keep your body healthy. Make sure to eat right and take supplements on a daily basis. If you have a disease like diabetes, make sure to keep your blood sugars under control because your body cannot fight off a fungal infection as well as someone with a healthy immune system.

The Best Nail Fungus Treatments

The Best Treatment for Nail Fungus

Our mission at ToeNailFungus.Center is to assist those suffering from nail fungus find relief. We have created this entire site for the purpose of education of nail fungus and the treatments available for this disorder. Here, you will find information on the causes, symptoms, treatments, and trends associated with nail fungus. After browsing this website, you will be a giant step closer to having fungus-free nails that are beautiful, healthy, and vibrant.

Treatment For Nail Fungus

This website is the #1 resource for information that pertains to nail fungus. We take a lot of pride in the effort we have put forth to provide you the most up-to-date information on the best Nail Fungus Treatments available today.

As you can imagine, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of treatments available for treating nail fungus. As we were searching for the various treatments for nail fungus, we took into account a lot of factors. Our top priority is to provide treatment options that meet the following nine criteria.

Effectiveness
Speedy results
Quality of ingredients
Product safety
Excellent customer service of the company
Excellent Reorder rate
Excellent Return policy
Excellent success rate of the product
Excellent Customer feedback

What Nail Fungus Really Is

Nail fungus, medically known as onychomycosis, is really an infection under the nail, inside the nail bed. It can occur in both fingernails and toenails. Because of the infection, the nail appears dark, yellow, and thickened, sometimes to the point where it is difficult to cut. The top of the nail may appear crumpled.

The fungus that causes this disorder breeds in warm, dark, damp places, just like any other fungus. The main reason this fungus occurs on the feet is because shoes make the perfect breeding ground for it.

At first, the fungus appears as a white or yellow spot on the nail. Over time, it begins to spread and make its way along the nail bed to the cuticle area. Once it spreads into the nail bed, it can be very difficult to get rid of.

The affected area of the nail may begin to crumble or the edges may become flaky. This can make you very self-conscious and make you embarrassed to go barefoot or wear sandals, which is unfortunate. One of the main treatments is to avoid wearing constrictive shoes by wearing open-toed shoes and sandals whenever possible.

What Causes Nail Fungus?

Nail fungus is more common the older we get. This is due to lower blood circulation. Nails naturally get thicker as you age. This makes it more difficult to manage the fungus growing under nails and makes you an easier target for nail fungus. If you are immune compromised, it can lead to the increase of nail fungus and make it more difficult for your body to fight off the infection.

Any type of damage to the nail can cause the nail to be more susceptible to developing this type of fungal infection. Damage such as hitting your nail on something or stubbing your toe can make a fungal infection appear extremely fast. It can also allow the infection to spread to the nail bed a lot easier.

Common Nail Fungus Locations

The most common location for nail fungus is on your toes. This is because your feet spend a lot of time in the dark, damp environment of your shoes. This is especially true if you have spent any time barefoot in a public shower, locker room, or swimming pool, basically anywhere a lot of barefoot people frequent.

People who spend a lot of time with their hands in water or gloves develop fungus under their fingernails a lot easier than those who keep their hands dry.

Also, those who have their nails done on a regular basis have a higher incidence of fingernail fungus. This is because many nail salons do not clean their equipment between uses.

Always ensure that the nail salon you go to sanitizes their equipment between customers so that you are not exposed to nail fungus from other people. This also applies if you have your toenails manicured at a salon.

Treatment For Nail Fungus

Nail fungus can be very hard to treat, especially if it has been around for a while. The human nail grows very slowly. Nail fungus lasts as long as it takes for the nail to grow out. If left untreated, it can last for many nail growth cycles.

If the infection is caught early, it can be treated a lot more easily and more effectively. Doctors tend to prescribe very strong medication. Most of this medication is taken by mouth and is extremely strong. Unfortunately, medications like Lamisil, Sporanox, and many others can have undesirable effects on the liver, sometimes even toxic effects.

To make matters worse, they have to be used for a long time before you see any result from using them. Also, those who have a heart condition or other disorders cannot take these medications because they could cause the preexisting condition to become out of control, or they may not mix well with the medications that are currently being taken. Taking these medications does not mean that you will have a healthy nail right after you finish taking the drug. Most of the time, it takes over 9 months for a healthy nail to replace one that is affected by a fungal infection.

Are Prescriptions Necessary?

If a fungal infection is caught early in the process, a doctor may prescribe a paint-on nail lacquer that has anti-fungal effects. This treatment paints on like nail polish and is known as ciclopirox or Penlac. For a great deal of people this does work and clears the infection up pretty quickly. Among these people, are typical complaints that it causes irritation to the skin around the nail, or that it does not get deep enough into the nail to get rid of the fungal infection completely.

Because of the disadvantages associated with breaking through the nail to take care of the infection, your doctor may use a machine that looks similar to a dremel to grind the nail and make it thinner so the lacquer will penetrate the nail and take care of the infection.

Surgical Remedy For Nail Fungus

Some patients may face surgical removal of the nail. This is especially true if the infection is deep in the nail, or if it is causing the patient a lot of pain. Many doctors believe that the best approach to treating a severe infection is to remove the entire nail and allow a new nail to grow in its place.

Not only is the surgery painful, but the nail takes a long time to grow back and the area where the nail was removed from can be very sensitive until it does grow back.

Preventing Nail Fungus

The best way to prevent nail fungus is to avoid it and the things that cause it. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.

Learn how nail fungus breeds. All fungus breeds in dark, damp places. Keep your hands and feet dry. Make sure that there is some point during the day when your feet are outside of your shoes and socks, especially when at home. Expose your feet to light and clean, fresh air as much as possible.
- Always have an extra pair of shoes and socks available. If your shoes and socks get wet, either from sweat or an external source, change as soon as possible.
- Wear shoes that are loose enough that your feet get air.
- Do not go barefoot in public places. Wear some form of protection on your feet if you are in public, wet places like pools, locker rooms, or showers.
- Ensure that your nails are properly trimmed. Longer nails can allow fungus to get under the nail.
- Take your own tools to a manicure or pedicure. While it might seem strange, or make you feel as though you are going to receive dirty looks, it ensures that the tools used on you are clean and sterile. If you cannot do this, make sure those who serve you change their equipment with fresh, sterilized equipment.
  - Another option is to check that the salon practices good hygiene and uses an autoclave to sterilize its equipment.
    This is a special machine guaranteed to clean materials to a medical quality.
  - It is your body, and you are a paying customer. Do not be afraid to ask the nail technician to clean the wash tub with bleach and water before you put your feet into it.

Nail Fungus Risk Factors

Being older
People who sweat a lot — especially true if your hands and feet sweat a great deal.
Those who have skin conditions
Those who wear tight shoes
People who do not take their shoes off
Those who walk around in public showers, locker rooms, and public pools barefoot
People who have athlete’s foot
Persons with decreased circulation
Immune-compromised persons
Diabetics

When To Get Treatment For Nail Fungus

Just like with any other medical condition, seek medical treatment as soon as you notice a problem. This means as soon as you feel any difference in the way your nail feels or looks. As soon as you see discoloration, you should seek treatment.

If at any time you notice that your nail is becoming brown or appears to be turning black,
seek medical advice right away.

Other Indications To Seek Medical Treatment

The nail pulling away from the nail bed
Yellowish, brown, grey, or black nails
What appears to be fragments under the nail
The nail has a foul odor.
The nail and area around it hurts.

There are so many excellent treatment options out there. Some work very slowly and others, have been know to be totally ineffective. the key to eradicating fungal infections quickly is to find an effective solution. As well as all the useful tips we have mentioned, such as walking around without socks and shoes on, allowing your feet to breathe, we suggest finding a treatment that contains clinically proven ingredients such as undecylenic acid or tea tree. We have also seen many treatments suggesting that you can use an emery board to scratch the surface of the infected nail prior to applying the treatment, which allows the ingredients to be absorbed more efficiently, rendering speedier results.

What You Should Know About Toenail Fungus

Important Information on Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungal infections are very common and affect about twelve percent of the American population. To understand toenail fungus, you must understand fungus in general.

Fungus likes to live in dark, damp environments that are humid. This is why most people who suffer from nail fungus infections suffer from toenail fungus. The shoe is the perfect place for nail fungus to grow. Fungus can live next to the nail for a long time. It can even burrow under the nail. There are a great number of factors that determine where the fungus actually starts. Two of these factors are how fast the infection is progressing and how severe the infection is.

Fungal Infection Symptoms

Doctors believe that the beginning of the disorder starts next to the nail and works its way under the nail slowly. The early symptoms of a fungal infection are a yellowish or whitish spot on the nail. Pain is typically not associated with the first stage, and most people do not notice the problem until it has progressed much further.

As the infection becomes worse, the fungal infection becomes more noticeable. These changes may appear slowly. The nail may become dull, yellowed, and lose its shape. The nail begins to become thick, yellow and ridged. This is the trademark appearance of a nail that is suffering from a fungal infection. Over time, the person who is affected will feel some discomfort from the infection. This is typically caused by the nail separating from the nail bed.

If the infection is allowed to go this far and the nail separates itself from the nail bed, there is a risk of an even greater infection. This is because the nail bed is made of sensitive tissue. If there is any pus present, or if there is a foul odor when you remove your sock, you need to see a doctor immediately.

There is a myth that toenail fungus only likes dirty areas. This is not true. A fungus is happy to breed wherever the environment is damp, dark, and warm. All it takes is one spore coming into contact with this area for it to become a breeding ground, no matter how clean of a person you are. While everyone comes into contact with this fungus on a daily basis, an infection only occurs if you give the spores an environment that they like to live in.

Types of Fungus

The medical community likes to refer to this type of fungus as a dermatophyte. There are other microorganisms that can infect the nail, such as yeast and mold, but dermatophytes are typically the most common infection.

Here is a list of things that make a person more susceptible to developing a fungal infection

A weakened immune system
Peripheral artery disease
Trauma to the toenail
Low skin pH
Poor hygiene
Previous nail fungus infection

It is very unlikely that a nail fungus infection can become life threatening or debilitating. However the infection can cause pain and discomfort and seriously impact the person’s self-esteem. Treating toenail fungus can be difficult, which is why doing your best to prevent nail fungus is the best treatment there is. If you are concerned that you have a fungal infection or any other type of infection in your toenail, consult your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine the best course of action for your particular type of infection and your medical history.

Common Symptoms and Solutions to Nail Fungus

Nail Fungus: Common Symptoms and Solutions

Many people are affected by nail fungus. While not painful in most cases, it can be embarrassing and cause affected people to hide their nails. This is especially true when it comes to toenails since they are easy to hide in socks and shoes. This is why more people seek a physician more often for fingernail fungus than they do for toenail fungus.

Unfortunately, the common solution of hiding your toes in your socks and shoes leads to the spread and worsening of the fungal infection. There are a lot of treatments offered by various companies. However, some of them do not work, while others make the problem worse. Some people suffer from poor health, which can lead to chronic infection. This is difficult to fight, especially after prolonged treatment. The fungus can become immune to the product they are using before they can successfully clear up the infection.

Causes of Nail Fungus

Each and every day, we cross the path of microbes, microorganisms and bacteria. Encountering these type of microscopic creatures is a never-ending fact of life. Unfortunately, some of these are nail fungus spores. Most of these are washed away and are harmless. But sometimes, they manage to get under your nails where they become a problem.

When a fungi spore enter a warm, dark, moist place they can make a home. Commonly, underneath your nails becomes such a home since in other places they are washed away easily. But under your nails fungi can grow and reproduce. The nail is a great place because it provides a great shield from the world around it. When they begin to grow, they cause a nasty look of yellowing and cause the nail to become thick. This is the appearance commonly associated with nail fungus.

As the nail fungus gets worse, other symptoms begin to develop. The nail begins to look different and is eventually disfigured. At some point, it may begin crumbling or flaking away. A fungal infection this severe typically occurs in toenails since they are a better breeding ground than fingernails because people spend so much time in shoes.

How to Treat Nail Fungus Infection

There are a lot of natural remedies on the market, as well as a ton of home remedies. Home remedies are a preferable first treatment before you are prescribed the more aggressive, oral antifungal medications. This is because antifungal medications taken orally pose serious risks to your liver. Here are some of the most recommended suggestions for treating nail fungus:

Tea Tree Oil – Tea Tree Oil is a natural essential oil. You can purchase it at most health food stores. This treatment involves rubbing the oil into the nail and the skin at least three times per day. The antifungal properties eventually kill the nail fungus.
Good Nail Hygiene – It is a good idea to practice correct nail. Trim them right at the edge of the toe. Always use a file to clean out from under your nails. Always make sure that no dirt can permanently lodge itself under the nail. Make sure your feet stay dry. If you have been sweating a lot, change your socks, and if your shoes are damp, change them too. Avoid wearing closed-toed shoes as much as possible.

Vinegar – Soak your toes in vinegar and water on a regular basis and dry them thoroughly to increase the pH under your nails. This makes the environment unfit for fungal spores to live in.

If you are affected by nail fungus and you have tried the solutions or others we mentioned here on this website, and nothing has worked, consult your physician. If you have not had any response from over-the-counter treatments or natural remedies, you may need to try a prescription treatment.

Make sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, both prescription and herbal. Let them know what treatments you have tried in regard to your fungal infection. Be sure to maintain proper finger and toe nail hygiene during treatment. This will increase your body’s response to treatment and help the healing process. It will also prevent the fungus from spreading to other toenails.

There are many solutions available that will treat the problem. You can search the internet for various alternatives before you commit to a treatment: natural, herbal, or oral antifungal medications. This is especially true if the person with the infection is a child. Perhaps the most important aspect to consider is the purity and potency of the ingredients used within a formula. One should consider if such ingredients have been clinically proven for effective eradication of fungal infections – these could include ingredients such as undecylenic acid, tolnaftate or tea tree oil.

How Can I Permanently Cure My Toenail Fungus

Permanently Curing Toenail Fungus

Curing Toenail Fungus is a long tedious process, yet very possible. Onychomycosis can lie dormant for a long time, even when it starts to clear up, only to return later. Because of this doctors try to stay away from the word cure. It is not something that is just cured by a pill. Many people in today’s age believe that a pill is the quick fix to curing anything.

Many factors determine how fast it takes to fix the problem. How bad has the infection gotten? The earlier you can catch it, the faster it is to cure it entirely. This infection makes its way, starting at the skin and working its way onto or under the nail. Under the nail is where you don’t want it to go. The nail acts as a personal shield that helps feed this nail fungus.

The second factor in fixing this problem is how committed you are to destroying this nail fungus. It takes time to make sure that you are keeping rough living conditions for the fungus every day so that it will die off. The best things that help with this are to clean your feet a couple times a day and every time you clean your feet change into clean socks. Wash your socks in bleach or soak them in peroxide. This will kill any spores of the fungus that may have stuck to your socks. Also follow your doctor’s instructions.

A lot of people end up hurting themselves, mostly due to giving up on treatment part of the way through. Just missing one day of treatment can set you back by about 2 weeks. Curing toenail fungus takes a lot of time and effort. You must hit on all the problems or you can easily let the fungus continue to thrive.

Oral Prescription Medication

You can ask your doctor about adding Tea Tree Oil, a natural topical antifungal, to your daily regimen alongside the oral medication your doctor gives you. This can help fight the fungal infection from both the inside and outside. This can help double your chances to effectively kill off the infection. Along with this you still have to help maintain a healthy environment for you and not the fungus.

You and the time you put into fighting off this infection, are the deciding factor if you get rid of this disease.

Allowing your feet to stay dry and aired out, washing your feet, and changing your socks throughout the day will keep the environment on your side instead of the fungus. Remember, losing one day of treatment can set you back up to 14 days. Following all these steps can help permanently end your toenail fungus problems.

Useful Information for Nail Fungus Treatments

What to Look for in Nail Fungus Treatments

Nail fungus, known medically as Onychomycosis, is not an easy condition to treat. Primarily cosmetic in nature, this disorder typically affects the toenails.

People at Risk for Contracting Nail Fungus

The older population
Males
People with diabetes
People who have had trauma to their nails
People with hyperhidrosis
People who suffer from peripheral vascular disease
People who have athlete’s foot
People with immunodeficiency
People who practice poor hygiene
People who spend a lot of time in water

There are a large number of fungus species that can affect the nail. It is also very common to find more than one type of infection inside one nail. The visible symptoms of the fungus make the nail appear thick and discolored. The appearance of the nail may be distorted.

Curing nail fungus has been historically problematic. There have recently been new options for curing nail fungus. Visiting your doctor will determine what type of infection you have and will confirm whether or not it is a nail fungus. Discovering what type of fungus you are affected by can help determine the best treatment. It is also very simple. Your doctor will be able to take scrapings or a clipping of your nail and examine it under a microscope. It may also be sent to the lab for a culture.

Once you know what type of infection you have, your treatment can begin. A common option for many patients is oral prescription medication. There are two older and proven medications available, griseofulvin and fluconazole. Unfortunately, these medications aren’t very effective in treating all forms of nail fungus.

Nail Fungus Medications

Two newer medications that are available are terbinafine and itraconazole. These have been proven more effective against nail fungus than the previous medications.

For those who do not wish to take a prescription medication, there are other alternatives.

Topical medications are available to cure nail fungus. Your doctor can also prescribe a nail varnish that contains 8% ciclopirox solution. This is painted on your nail and the skin near it every day for a period of 12 months.

It is important to remember that no matter what method you choose to treat your nail fungus, the infection is not considered gone until your nail has grown out completely. It can take over a year to replace a disfigured toenail.

Nail Fungus Treatments

There are some that elect for surgery for treatment of nail fungus. This is a more drastic treatment for nail fungus and should be considered an option only in severe cases or in cases where the nail is disfigured. If there are any other options available to you, you should consider them first.

Alternative treatments are available as well. Tea Tree Oil has been proven to be effective in treating various types of nail fungus. The Mayo Clinic has published at least one report in regards to Tea Tree Oil, and it is considered viable in the medical world.

Home Remedies

Many other home remedies have been suggested by various individuals. Most of them are considered viable as well. Just because they have not been proven by medical science, does not mean that they are not effective.

These remedies include:

A 20 – 30 minute soak in vinegar, lemon juice, Listerine, or a solution of bleach

Nutritional supplements such as acidophilus

Applying baking soda, garlic, olive oil, or Vicks VapoRub

Modern medicine has created a wide variety of fungal treatments. Consulting your doctor and researching treatments on your own are great steps in the right direction. Armed with the correct information your doctor can create an effective plan to treat your nail fungus problem.

The Most Effective Nail Fungus Treatments

Treatments for Nail Fungus Infections

When you are trying to get rid of nail fungus, choose a treatment that is right for you. There are a lot of options, even if this is a long-term or severe infection. Regardless of this, there is a way to treat and completely get rid of any infection. No matter what treatment you choose, it requires patience, as it can take several months to see full results from the treatment you choose.

Important Points you Should Know about Treating Nail Fungus Infections

Getting rid of a fungal infection that affects the finger- or toenail can be a long process. It doesn’t matter which treatment you choose, it will take at least a few months.
Nail fungus that affects fingernails is usually easier to get rid of. This is because your hands have access to fresh air more than your feet, which are constricted in shoes.
Some prescription medications for nail fungus can cause liver damage. During treatment with prescription medications, your doctor may order periodic liver function tests to ensure that your liver is healthy enough to undergo treatment.
The most common method of treating nail fungus is through oral medications. This may be used in combination with treatments applied directly to the nail. A less severe form of nail fungus may be treated with a paint-on nail varnish or product containing tea tree oil.
For severe infections, or those that reoccur, your doctor may recommend removing all or part of the nail. This is not typically done unless other treatments have repeatedly failed.
Most cases of nail fungus, as long as they are mild cases, are typically left alone to go away on their own.

There are many things you can do to prevent a nail fungus from coming back. If you are interested in this information, read “Preventing Nail Fungus Infections”

Current Treatments Available for Nail Fungus Infections

With all of the treatments on the market today, how do you find the best one available? Here we have composed a list of treatments that are available. We have divided it into three different categories which will make the decision easier for you.

Before you make up your mind set on any specific treatment, you should talk to your doctor about the best course of action. You can also use up-to-date medical research to determine which treatment option is best for you before you talk to your doctor.

Shown Effective and Safer Than Most Methods

Itraconazole (Sporanox)

An oral medication that provides anti-fungal properties. It is effective in treating infections that are caused by a fungus.

Terbinafine Pills (Lamisil)

An anti-fungal medication that is taken orally. It is effective in treating fungal infections in the nail.

Treatments Considered Effective but Possibly Harmful

Fluconazole Pills (Diflucan)

An anti-fungal medication that is taken orally. While it is considered effective in treating fungal infections of the nail, it is not commonly prescribed for this treatment.

Ciclopirox Lacquer (Penlac Nail Lacquer)

This is a great choice if you are trying to avoid taking oral medications to treat a nail fungus infection. It is typically more effective in treating infections that are mild in nature. This treatment goes on like a nail polish and is applied to the affected area.

Treatments That Need More Research

Griseofulvin Pills (Grifulvin V)

This is considered an antibiotic. While it can be used for treatment of nail fungus, it is not as effective as other options.

Ketoconazole Pills (Nizoral)

While this medication is considered an antifungal, it is rarely used. This is because it can cause severe liver damage.

Terbinafine Cream or Spray

This medication comes as a cream or spray. It is effective in treating fungal infections but it takes quite a long time for it to work. This cream is commonly known as Lamisil.`

Removing Part of Your Nail

Typically, this is the treatment for a severe nail infection. It can also be used if someone experiences recurring infections. Before this is considered, doctors will try several different treatments as it can take quite a while for the nail to grow back.

Prescription Drugs and Curing Toenail Fungus

Using Drugs to Cure Toenail Fungus

With advancements in modern medicine, curing toenail fungus has become become a regular occurrence. Toenail fungal infections can spread really easily, both from nail to nail and from person to person. This is why treating it as early as possible is a great concern.

What Does a Toenail Infection Look Like?

The most common, and first symptom is a discolored nail. The color of the nail is typically white or yellowish. After the infection reaches the nail bed, it can easily turn dark yellow and develop brown spots. The nail becomes thick and brittle as the fungus reaches further into the nail or into the nail bed. This is because the fungus’s sole goal is to spread as fast as possible to keep itself alive.

A nail fungus infection begins when people are exposed to the spores of the fungus. This is easier than you may think. All it takes is being barefoot, especially in areas that are dirty or used by a lot of barefoot people. This can happen fairly easily if your shoes are dirty or damaged, especially if you have sweaty feet or live in a humid area.

Nails can easily become discolored if you have any damage to the nail, especially if it rubs on a shoe or if you have a skin condition. Always see your doctor whenever you have any discoloration of your nail. This lets you work with your doctor to come up with the best possible treatment for you and your specific needs, given your prior health history.

Topical Medications

A frequently prescribed medication for a toenail fungus infection is Penlac, also known as ciclopirox. This approach uses paint-on nail polish that has to be applied to the nail once or twice daily. Over time, it kills the fungal infection. Typically, it takes a few months to completely kill off the infection.

Side Effects

This medication has been known to cause irritation and itching in the skin surrounding the nail.

Oral Anti-fungal Medications

There are many commonly prescribed oral medications for getting rid of toenail fungus. These medications are Lamisil, Sporanox, and Itraconazole. These drugs typically take at least 12 weeks to completely kill a fungal infection. After this, it can take up to 9 months to regrow a healthy toenail.

All of the oral medications that can be prescribed pose risks of side effects. If at any time during your treatment you have abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or anything else that is unlike your typical function, stop taking the medication and call your doctor immediately.

These prescriptions are not advised for people who have a history of liver or heart problems. Let your doctor know if you have a history, or if you have a family history of these problems.

Modern medicine has made it easier to cure toenail fungus and has provided a great deal of anti-fungal medications. Treating this disorder is of really high concern, especially since it can spread so easily.

Paronychia

Paronychia: What it is and How to treat it

Paronychia is a disease that affects the perimeter of the nail. It causes the skin around the nail to hang loosely. It is more common in the United States, and is normally found in kids who bite their nails or suck on their fingers.

There are two forms of this infection, and the type of infection is determined by the length of time that the virus is in the body. Unlike most infections that affect the nail this is not a fungal infection, it is a viral one. It is typically caused by a mold or the yeast Candida. The condition can be passed from person to person through touch.

Causes of Paronychia

Most forms of this disorder are caused by a break in the skin, typically a hang nail or the location where the nail is bitten. At times, the bacteria Streptococcus and Pseudomonas manage to get into the infected area and make it worse. If the infection is considered chronic, it is typically the result of a yeast called Candida.

The acute version of Paronychia happens when the skin around the nail swells and causes severe pain to the affected person. At times, pus can develop and can ooze from around the nail.

Chronic Paronychia lasts for a long time and can cause the skin around the nail to develop a greenish color.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of acute paronychia is made by visual examination. The type of infection can be made by taking a culture of the pus and examining it. Once the type of infection is identified, a treatment can be described.

A chronic case of paronychia can be more difficult to diagnose. This is because the bacteria must be tested to ensure that it is properly treated.

Treatment for Paronychia

One of the recommended treatments for paronychia is to massage the affected area under hot water 3 to 4 times per day. This can be extremely painful because any form of touch can really hurt.
Antibiotics like cephalexin may be prescribed.
If the swelling is severe and the pain is extremely bad, they may have to puncture the location of the pus pocket and drain it.
Part of the nail may have to be removed in some cases.
An antifungal may be prescribed to treat it if the origin was determined to be fungal.

Things Not to Use to Treat Paronychia

Do not use Antibiotics
Do not take prescription steroids

Usual Cases Where Paronychia Has Affected

AIDS and HIV Patients
Patients on Steroids
Patients with High Blood Sugar
Poor Circulation

How To Prevent Paronychia

Do not bite your nails
Do not suck on your fingers
Do not submerse hands or feet in water for prolonged periods of time without gloves