Nail Fungus – Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

• Tweet

• Tweet

Nail fungus is made up of tiny organisms that can infect fingernails and feet. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of finger or toe nails is very difficult to heal. These fungal infections usually cause discoloration, thickening and often softening of the nails. Nail fungus is a difficult condition to treat and can often cause permanent damage to the nails and possibly nail loss. Infections of nail fungus account for about half of all nail disorders. These infections usually develop on nails continually exposed to hot and humid environments such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. Nail fungus is not the same as athlete’s foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet, but sometimes both can coexist and can be caused by the same type of fungus. Over 35 million people in the U.S. get this fungus. The fungus lives underneath the nail. The nail provides a safe place for the fungus and protects it while it grows, since fungus like dark and damp. The disease usually starts around the end of the nail and may start with patches of white or yellow discoloration. If the condition is not treated, it will travel to the base of the nail. He will attack the nail root (matrix) and cause the nail to grow very thick and deformed.

Nail polish and plastic or acrylic can trap moisture and fungi. Fungi are microscopic organisms that do not need light to survive. Some fungi have beneficial uses, while others cause illness and infection. Fungal infections are generally not contagious nor spread easily between people. Sometimes trauma or damage to a nail predisposes to the development of onychomycosis. Nail fungus if one or more of your nail. of symptoms including yellow, green, brown or black, caused by construction debris under the nail ANSD flat and dull, having lost luster and brilliance. Deformed and brittle, crumbly or ragged Nail fungus infections are caused by dermatophyte fungi (tinea unguium), yeasts such as Candida albicans and non-dermatophyte molds. Nail Fungus risk factors that may increase the development of nail fungus include humidity, heat, trauma, diabetes mellitus, and underlying tinea pedis (athlete’s foot). Nail fungus is more than an eyesore. It can be painful and interfere with daily activities such as walking, sports, writing, typing, and other activities that require manipulating small objects or repetitive finger use. An international study conducted by dermatologists found that nail fungus had a significant impact on quality of life of people with the disease. The main problems identified were embarrassment, functional problems at work, reduced social activities, fears of spreading the disease to others, and pain.

The best treatment is prevention of course. Keep your nails clean and dry. Wear shoes and socks that provide proper ventilation. tight shoes that trap perspiration creating the ideal environment for fungi to grow and multiply. Wearing open-toed shoes, or shoes that provide good ventilation with socks that wick moisture from your feet will help keep your feet dry. Do not nail biting or trying to dig ingrown toenails. Make one of those things put you at risk for infection. One of the most effective treatments is called Leucatin, all-natural solution that can eliminate fungal infection and prevent recurrence. To treat nail fungus an oral antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan) and terbinafine (Lamisil). These medications help a new nail grow free of infection, slowly replacing the infected portion of your nails. In general, you take these drugs for six to 12 weeks, but will not see the end result of treatment until the nail regrowth completely. In some cases, surgical treatment of nail fungus may be necessary. temporary removal of part of an infected nail may decrease pain and topical antifungal agents applied directly to the underlying tissue.

Tagged as: nail fungus, nail fungus treatment